USC Marshall School of Business

From talent acquisitions to operational models and product innovations, students from the Experiential Learning (ExCEL) Program traveled to France to learn more about the global fashion and luxury industry.

During the trip, students gained valuable insights into what it takes to thrive in luxury fashion through panels with local USC alumni and executives from Chanel, YSL, and McKinsey in addition to company visits to Louis Vuitton, Estée Lauder, Snapchat and others.

The USC Marshall Student Investment Fund (SIF) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Through SIF, undergraduate and graduate students gain firsthand experience in contemporary investment and portfolio theory by managing a portion of USC’s endowment, analyzing asset valuations, conducting company and sector research, and optimizing portfolio risk.

Today, SIF and USIF students manage approximately $21.5 million in assets with returns supporting $210,000 in scholarships.

According to Suh-Pyng Ku, director of the Center for Investment Studies, SIF offers students a chance to accrue real-world experience leading a major financial fund. “The SIF and USIF curriculum provides students with a unique opportunity to manage real money, conduct in-depth security research, and develop independent investment strategies."

To read more: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/news/usc-marshalls-student-investment-fund-program-celebrates-40th-anniversary

The 44th Annual SEC Conference, hosted by USC Leventhal, brought together industry leaders and professionals to exchange ideas, explore new industry-impacting developments such as clean energy tax credit transfers and AI implementation, and discuss how the F&A industry is navigating shifting market dynamics and evolving workforce expectations.

Then. Now. Always Marshall. ✌️

USC Marshall’s Finance Peer Career Advising (PCA), a student-led career mentorship program, has doubled in size over the past year since moving under the Financial Services Career Hub.

PCA connects the team of advisors, made up of seniors who have previously secured summer analyst internships in their respective fields, to guide their peer undergraduate students through the unfamiliar internship process — including networking opportunities, job search strategies, resume review, interview preparation, and one-on-one mentorship in investment banking, buy-side and wealth management. Looking ahead, PCA plans to expand into areas outside of investment banking and deepen connections domestically and internationally.

Read more: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/news/student-led-mentorship-programprepares-finance-focused-undergraduates-for-competitive-recruiting-process

USC Marshall alumna Lauren Bellemare ’09 decided she wanted to pivot into something more personal after a decade of corporate leadership roles. Drawing on her passion for fine arts, it led her to launch L’Heritage Fine Jewelry, a brand centered around ethical craftsmanship, personal expression, and intentional design.

Bellemare credits her time at USC Marshall with shaping both her business mindset and the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship. “Marshall shaped how I think about business,” Bellemare said. “The analytical foundation, the real-world application, and the support of the Trojan Network gave me the push to create my own legacy.

Read more: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/news/alumna-turns-corporate-experience-into-fine-jewelry-venture

Six students from the Hayes Bernard Sustainability Fellowship (HBSF) traveled to Tsavo West, Kenya, to install solar panels and build a microgrid that provided electricity to a local secondary school. Students were able to apply sustainable practices on the grassroots level while immersed in the local community and culture.

HBSF is a two-year program that teaches students across USC disciplines how to implement clean energy policies on various scales through specialized curriculum and industry connections.

Read more: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/news/hayes-barnard-fellowship-students-build-sustainable-infrastructure-for-kenya-village

Lance Patak MBA ’07, a Marshall alumnus and pediatric anesthesiologist, founded VidaTalk, a platform to help patients with speech barriers (due to medical conditions, intubation or language) better communicate with their doctors.

As a first-time founder, Patak enrolled in USC Marshall’s Full-Time MBA (FTMBA) program to gain business-related skills and knowledge. “My MBA was the best thing that ever happened in my education,” Patak said. “It changed how I see the world. It changed every relationship I have. It changed how I do medicine.”

The VidaTalk platform, which includes over 100 simple phrases and basic needs and supports 45 different languages, has been adopted by highly ranked hospitals and healthcare systems to ensure speech-impaired patients can advocate for their needs.

Read more: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/news/marshall-mba-alums-app-vidatalk-helps-speech-impaired-patients-communicate-with-their-care-providers

The 2026 VanEck Southern California Blockchain Conference gathered students, faculty, and industry leaders for wide-ranging conversations on the future of blockchain and AI, emphasizing student opportunities amidst the changing landscape.

To further support entrepreneurial students at USC, Marshall’s VanEck Digital Asset Initiative (VEDA) announced the launch of USC Builders Grants which will provide funding for students building products for the blockchain.

Read more: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/news/2026-vaneck-blockchain-conference-highlights-student-opportunity-in-a-shifting-tech-landscape