USC announces student commencement speaker for the Class of 2025

At 10,000 feet above the ground, strapped into a parachute and seconds away from free-falling, Meghan Anand wasn’t thinking about the thrill of skydiving. She was thinking about how far she’d come after being terrified of heights. When her friend and fellow Trojan suggested skydiving as a way to face their fears, Anand, true to her philosophy of saying yes to new opportunities, signed the waiver — and took the leap.

“That moment in the sky was nothing like I expected,” Anand said. “Once I jumped, it felt more like floating than falling, and I was surprisingly calm. It was a reminder of how powerful new experiences can be: They challenge us, shift our perspective and help us grow in ways we never imagined.”

Anand’s openness to new experiences has defined her four years as a student at the USC Marshall School of Business, and it will shape the message she plans to share as this year’s student commencement speaker. At the universitywide ceremony on Thursday, May 15, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Anand will offer inspiration to the graduates as they celebrate their milestone.

“I’m just feeling very grateful and excited to be giving this speech this year,” said Anand, who will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

“Meghan’s interdisciplinary scholarship, dedication to her work and involvement in multiple student organizations make her a standout representative for the Class of 2025,” said Andrew T. Guzman, USC’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

“I have no doubt that her words will both uplift and inspire her peers and everyone in attendance,” Guzman said. “I want to thank the review committee for identifying such a strong and talented group of finalists. This process and its result offer one more illustration of the extraordinary quality of our graduating students.”

USC commencement speaker: From Texas to Troy

A Houston native, Anand arrived at USC four years ago with a strong interest in politics, inspired by a high school internship with former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Anand initially majored in philosophy, politics and economics at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. However, her academic path took an unexpected turn after her freshman year, when she joined the pre-law society Phi Alpha Delta and took her first business course at USC Marshall.

“I quickly realized that a business degree is incredibly versatile, and having a strong foundation in finance opened up countless possibilities, giving me the confidence to pursue a wide range of career paths,” Anand said.

After graduation, Anand will begin her full-time role as a management consultant at PwC. But her aspirations don’t stop there. She plans to study for the LSAT to attend law school and wants to pursue a career in geopolitics or launch her own charitable foundation.

Driving change

Anand’s passion for golf — from a young age she’s been an avid golfer — has always been intertwined with her drive to give back. She was introduced to golf by her father, and the game quickly became more than just a pastime: It became a vehicle for community service. Through the First Tee program, which introduces golf to low-income communities, Anand helped rebuild a local chapter in her neighborhood, mentoring young kids and teaching them the game.

“Golf has always been a big part of my life,” she said. “With First Tee, I wasn’t just teaching kids how to swing a club; I was helping them build confidence and resilience. It was incredibly fulfilling to give back, and it’s something I want to continue throughout my life.”

Anand’s commitment to service has continued at USC, where she has held multiple roles in student government. She started as a funding delegate during her freshman year, a position that provided her with a behind-the-scenes look at how student organizations secure funding and host events. Anand later served as associate director for academic and professional funds, where she advocated for her peers and played a key part in ensuring they had the resources needed to succeed, fostering a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.

Her passion for golf and giving back also led her to collaborate with USC University Advancement, where she is helping to raise funds for a golf simulator at the Lyon Center. This project aims to expand access to golf for students, especially given the lack of nearby courses.

“I want to give back to the organizations, people and communities that poured into me,” Anand said. “I believe it’s important to support the people and places that invested in you.”