Welcome to life at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Classes, student organizations, faculty, research, hands-on projects, and don't forget our social lives outside of class - it's all up for discussion with regular appearances and interviews with special guests. Viterbi Voices: The Podcast is hosted by Paul Ledesma (Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Admission) and current student Hannah Fonseca (Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2027).
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Sep 27, 2026 · 1:17:55
In this episode, Angelina (CS '28) sits down with fellow Viterbi transfers, Ofek and Turat, to reflect on their journeys one year after transferring to USC. Together, they…
Sep 20, 2026 · 58:10
In this episode, Satwika (Computer Engineering and Computer Science, 2027) sits down with fellow Viterbi seniors Avni, Malina and Jackie to talk about how they made their college…
Sep 13, 2026 · 1:22:39
In this episode, Paul sits down with Yasser Khan, a USC Viterbi professor and electrical engineer, to discuss his journey from studying engineering in Bangladesh to conducting…
Sep 6, 2026 · 1:33:42
In this episode, Paul sits down with Zenzile Moore, a USC Viterbi alumna and Civil Engineering graduate from the Class of 2007, to discuss her journey from USC to a career in…
Aug 30, 2026 · 1:14:45
In this episode, Paul sits down with Kristen, a USC Viterbi alumna and Civil Engineering graduate, to discuss her journey from USC to a career at KPFF. Kristen shares insight…
Aug 23, 2026 · 1:18:29
In this episode, Paul sits down with Gavin, a USC Viterbi alumnus and Mechanical Engineering graduate, to discuss his journey from engineering to law and digital health. Gavin…
Aug 16, 2026 · 1:17:31
In this episode, Paul sits down with Allegra, a USC Viterbi alumna and Industrial & Systems Engineering graduate from the Class of 2017, to discuss her journey from USC to…
Aug 9, 2026 · 55:06
In this episode, Paul sits down with Adam Smith, an environmental engineering faculty member at USC, to explore his journey from nearly joining the family lumber business to…
Aug 2, 2026 · 52:06
In this episode, Paul sits down with senior admission staff members Rebecca, Brooke, and Lisa from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering to kick off Season 12 of Viterbi Voices.…
Apr 26, 2026 · 1:18:43
In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with Mitchell (CE ’26), Ishaani (BME ’26), and Anna (CECS ’26) for a senior send-off reflecting on their time at the USC Viterbi School…
Apr 19, 2026 · 1:07:59
In this episode, Dominic (BME '27) sits down with Greg Rosenkranz (BME '26) and Ishaani Pradeep (BME '26) to discuss their early career experiences in the medical device industry…
Apr 12, 2026 · 1:01:48
In this episode, Michaela (CHE '27) sits down with Savannah (CHE '27) to discuss the balance needed to study chemical engineering, getting help in a small major, studying abroad…
Apr 5, 2026 · 1:18:12
In this episode, Alex (CE '27) sits down with Sam (ENE '27) and Ellis (CE ‘28) to discuss environmental engineering at USC, taking your learning outside the classroom and into…
Mar 29, 2026 · 1:27:35
In this episode, Ashley Harkness (ME ’29) sits down with Ari Abramovich (ASTE ’27) and Mia Menard (ME ’29) to discuss what it’s like to be engineers in sororities. They dive into…
Mar 22, 2026 · 1:01:22
In this episode, Matthew, David, and Fio share their journeys as freshman engineers navigating their first year at USC. They move beyond the traditional student narrative to…
Mar 15, 2026 · 1:02:07
In this episode, Angelina sits down with Tiffanie Lim from LavaLab, Alicia Grechu from Open Alpha, and Anay Mody from Scope to highlight their respective computer science…
Mar 8, 2026 · 1:01:14
In this episode, Abigail Combs (ENE '29) sits down with Kilani Grant (ME '29) and Mayte Morales (ME '29) to dive into the world of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE)! The trio…
Mar 1, 2026 · 1:18:18
In this episode, Mason sits down with Natalie Minkler and Madeline Abu Ghazaleh to talk about what it’s really like balancing engineering with club sports at USC. They dive into…
Feb 22, 2026 · 1:02:38
In this episode of Viterbi Voices, Bethania Dagim (CEE' 28) chats with fellow Viterbi sophomores Shristuti Srirapu (BME' 28) and Joanna Myint (ME '28) about the ways they've…
Feb 15, 2026 · 1:22:45
In this episode, Rianna sits down with Cole Bergevin and Tara Ezhari to talk about what their first-year at USC actually looks like. They share why they chose USC, what housing…
Feb 8, 2026 · 1:01:59
In this episode, Kyna sits down with Nelson Vo to discuss how the CECS program is structured at USC, the impact it has on students, and the career paths it can open in industry.…
Feb 1, 2026 · 1:26:41
In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with USC transfer student Angelina Chou alongside members of the Viterbi admissions team to talk about the transfer student experience…
Jan 25, 2026 · 1:32:52
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumnus Rahul Dutta to talk about his journey from studying electrical engineering at USC to building a career across the military,…
Jan 18, 2026 · 1:32:53
In this episode, Paul sits down with Wade Zeno to talk about his journey from chemical engineering to molecular biophysics and academia. Wade shares how he discovered a passion…
Jan 11, 2026 · 1:24:13
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumnus Alex Budde to talk about his journey from pre-med to biomedical engineering and his career developing life-saving medical…
Jan 4, 2026 · 1:41:33
We're back! In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with Elisabeth Weiss, a professor who teaches WRIT 340. They discuss her journey to becoming a professor, the hands-on…
Dec 7, 2025 · 1:34:08
In this episode, Karissa (ME '27) sits down with MADLab Researchers Haozheng Ma (3rd Year PhD BME) and Callie Luong (ME '27) to learn more about their paths into biomedical…
Nov 30, 2025 · 1:17:51
In this episode, Talise (ECE '27) sits down with Jessica (ECE '27) to talk about her summer internship at Northrop Grumman, how USC helped her get the job, succeed in the…
Nov 23, 2025 · 58:55
In this episode, Sophie (CHE '28) sits down with Sidha Kunada (ENE '27) and Taara Shastri (ENE '28) to discusses their involement in Engineers Without Borders, the communities…
Nov 16, 2025 · 1:00:20
In this episode, Sarah (BME '28, pre-med) sits down with Cedric (BME '28, pre-med) and Mattice (CHE ' 28, pre-law) to discuss the ins and outs of pursuing a career path other…
Nov 9, 2025 · 1:08:22
In this episode, Cecilia Betancourt (ECE '27) sits down with a heavily involved RPL member and ASPEN lead, Autumn Zaretsky (ASTE '27), and discusses what it's like to be heavily…
Nov 2, 2025 · 1:15:14
In this episode, Keilani (CSBA '27) sits down with Daisy Fregoso (CS '28) and Sophie Hyun (CS Games '28) to discuss the variety and overlap of the different Computer Science…
Oct 26, 2025 · 1:19:07
In this episode of USC Racing Spotlight, Naya (Mechanical Engineering ’26), Powertrain Co-Lead, sits down with Katherine (Mechanical Engineering ’26), Project Manager for SCR26,…
Oct 19, 2025 · 1:13:56
In this episode, Xavier (CE '27) sits down with members of the USC chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), including the current president Mitch Kirby (CE…
Oct 12, 2025 · 40:38
In this episode, Mitchell Kirby (Civil Engineering ’26) who is Founder and President of the Association of Energy Engineers sits down with David Moseley (Environmental…
Oct 5, 2025 · 59:36
In this episode, Gerson (BME '26) sits down with Dominic (BME '27) and Jaron (BME '26) to chat about their involvement in the Associated Students of Biomedical Engineering…
Sep 28, 2025 · 1:10:45
In this episode, Jessica (AME '28) sits down with Hannah (BME '28) to talk about her role as a Build Lead and Lab Manager of USC's student-led AeroDesign Team. Hannah shares an…
Sep 21, 2025 · 1:22:53
In this episode, Paul sits down with Daisy Benitez, an environmental engineer at PepsiCo, to talk about her work in global sustainability initiatives, her journey from…
Sep 14, 2025 · 2:03:16
In this episode, Paul reconnects with Viterbi alumna Alex Coco, Amazon AIR manager, to discuss his path from earning both a B.S. in Astronautical Engineering and an M.S. in…
Sep 7, 2025 · 1:54:29
In this episode, Paul and Hannah sit down with Lauren (Howe) Johnson to reflect on the twists and turns of her USC journey, from navigating indecision around majors to finding…
Aug 31, 2025 · 1:30:45
In this episode, Paul sits down with Erik Johnson and Gaurav Sukhatme to discuss the launch of a brand-new Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence degree program coming in…
Aug 24, 2025 · 1:24:42
In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Makana Krulce to explore her journey from studying polymers at USC to working in global pharmaceutical consulting. Makana…
Aug 17, 2025 · 1:43:30
In this episode, Paul sits down with Jennifer, a college admission counselor best known as Jenn the Tutor, to debunk myths and misconceptions about getting into college. Jennifer…
Aug 10, 2025 · 1:16:55
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Natalie Dana (Alvarez) about her interdisciplinary path through civil engineering and architecture, her career in sustainable…
Aug 3, 2025 · 1:25:28
Welcome to Viterbi Voice Season 11! In this episode, Paul sits down with Viterbi alumna Pooja Sharma Rao to talk about her unique career journey at the intersection of medicine,…
May 5, 2025 · 1:00:07
Join us for Saafiyah's last podcast as our co-host! Saafiyah and Paul wrap up season 10 of the Viterbi Voices podcast and introduce the next co-host... Hannah! They reflect on…
Apr 28, 2025 · 53:34
In this episode, Satwika talks with 5th year PhD student Nathan Justin about his take on software engineering, CS ethics and his journey towards a PhD. Text us a Question or…
Apr 21, 2025 · 38:16
In this episode, Jessica (AME ‘28) sits down with Emma (ASTE ‘28), Norah (ECE ‘28), and Alan (ASTE ‘28) to explore what it's like balancing the rigors of engineering with their…
Apr 13, 2025 · 45:18
In this episode, Michaela (CHE ‘27) sits down with Zoe (CHE ‘27) to discuss what chemical engineering is really like, keys to success in a challenging major, balancing academics…
Apr 7, 2025 · 46:37
In this episode, Keilani (CSBA ‘27) talks to Ellis (CS ‘28) about the underlooked significance of journalism and science communications for STEM-related issues applicable to the…
Mar 31, 2025 · 1:02:53
In this episode, Saafiyah sits down with USC students from various majors and years to unpack their college decision journeys. From the factors that guided their choices to what…
Mar 24, 2025 · 57:35
In this episode, Sarah talks to 5 BME students (Ishaani '26, Cedric '28, Matthew '26, Hidaya '27, and Dominic '27) about their minors outside of engineering. With minors ranging…
Mar 19, 2025 · 1:48:15
In this special 10th anniversary episode, we reunite with past co-hosts to reflect on our podcast journey. We discuss behind-the-scenes mishaps, what's changed at Viterbi over…
Mar 9, 2025 · 58:46
In this episode, Hannah (ME '27) sits down with Naina and Jay from CAIS++ to dive into the world of AI for social good. They discuss how the Center for AI in Society Student…
Mar 5, 2025 · 52:14
In this episode, Sophie (CHE ’28) and her engineering friends talk about their experience with CURVE, a research opportunity offered by Viterbi. They discuss their first…
Feb 24, 2025 · 47:39
In this episode, Mitchell Kirby (CE ‘26) got the chance to sit down with Kyle Revale, an inspiring senior studying Civil Engineering. Kyle has a focus on Construction Management…
Feb 17, 2025 · 51:53
In this episode, Xavier speaks with Christian Corona, a fellow sophomore in civil engineering, talking about how to get an early start on professional opportunities and work on…
Feb 10, 2025 · 38:01
In this episode, Gerson and his biomedical engineering student friends talk about their "5-9s" after their "9-5s." From dancing and music to swimming and investing, they discuss…
Feb 2, 2025 · 53:12
In this episode, Saafiyah chats with Kaleigh Ray (ASTE ’25) about all things Rocket Propulsion Lab (RPL). They discuss the teams within RPL that Kaleigh has been a part of, how…
Jan 27, 2025 · 51:19
In this episode, Saafiyah sits down with Sejal and Ivan, Environmental Engineering majors at USC. They share their experiences on environmental design competition teams, their…
Jan 19, 2025 · 1:51:37
In this episode, Paul interviews USC alumna Marcelle Phené, a civil engineering graduate who has worked with several companies and served in the U.S. Navy. She shares how her…
Jan 13, 2025 · 1:07:50
To kick off the second half of season 10, our Viterbi admission counselors answer your hard-pressed questions about first-year admission to USC. In this episode, they cover a…
Dec 9, 2024 · 47:28
In this episode, Hansini speaks with three members (Alexandra, Mitch, and Alanna) of Makers, an electronics design team at USC. They talk about their shared experience in the…
Dec 1, 2024 · 1:06:32
In this episode, Xavier speaks with Christian Corona, a fellow sophomore in civil engineering, talking about how to get an early start on professional opportunities and work on…
Nov 27, 2024 · 1:21:00
Taylor and her senior peers reflect on their past seven semesters at USC, recognize their growth and accomplishments, and share advice for anyone in their academic journey! Text…
Nov 18, 2024 · 42:06
In this episode, Saafiyah sits down with Joel Etchri, a mechanical engineering student from Macau, as he reflects on his college journey in Los Angeles. Joel opens up about the…
Nov 10, 2024 · 56:03
In this episode, Cecilia reflects with Leire, Jessica, and Talise on their experiences so far as Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) majors. They discuss what they got wrong…
Nov 4, 2024 · 59:56
In this episode, Ishaani sits down with Matthew (BME '26) and Eddie (BME '26), members of MEDesign, USCs premier medical device design club. Join them as they explore how…
Oct 28, 2024 · 1:15:28
In this episode, Karissa speaks with Krishna Srikanth, a fellow Viterbi student, to discuss life at USC while pursuing rigorous majors and minors. They chat about everything…
Oct 20, 2024 · 1:23:16
In this episode, Hannah speaks with some of the fabulous women in engineering leading Viterbi Clubs and Organizations. They discuss their time in SWE, CAIS++, ScopeSC, ADT, and…
Oct 15, 2024 · 45:27
In this episode, USC Viterbi students Riya, Cody, Aditya, and Agnes share their experiences in various Computer Science programs. They discuss how they chose the right computer…
Oct 7, 2024 · 35:28
In this episode, we sit down with a senior Mechanical Engineering student and a senior Industrial Engineering student to discuss their experiences with recruiting in their final…
Sep 29, 2024 · 55:26
In this episode, Gerson chats with recently graduated friends that studied Biomedical Engineering at USC. They talk about what they have been up to, law school, medical school,…
Sep 22, 2024 · 39:20
In this episode, Victoria speaks with Grace Hutapea about their experiences being college students in Los Angeles. They discuss professional opportunities through USC, exploring…
Sep 16, 2024 · 1:14:35
In this episode, Ava chats with Irith and Keyvette about their study abroad experiences in London, Brighton, and Singapore. They discuss the unique challenges of studying…
Sep 9, 2024 · 52:24
In this episode, Jake is joined by a fellow student, Alex Forgosh. They discuss their shared experience of balancing a computer science/engineering degree with playing collegiate…
Sep 4, 2024 · 1:37:32
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumnus Breece Phipps (BS, MS ASTE '22) about his remarkable journey from addiction and incarceration to becoming a Propulsion System…
Aug 26, 2024 · 55:45
In this episode, Paul and Ava conduct live interviews with new USC parents as they help move their first-year students onto campus. Tune in to hear valuable advice from parents…
Aug 18, 2024 · 1:27:15
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Shayna Goldberger (ECE '18, MS ASTE '22) about her career as a spacecraft systems engineer at Millennium Space Systems. Shayna…
Aug 12, 2024 · 1:15:12
In this episode, Saafiyah sits down with Viterbi admission counselors to address common myths and answer the "burning questions" students have about the admissions process. They…
Aug 4, 2024 · 1:42:26
Viterbi Voices is back with Season 10! In the pilot episode, Paul sits down with Professor Steve Bucher, the director of the Engineering in Society (EiS) Program. Steve developed…
Apr 26, 2024 · 40:50
Join us for Maya's last podcast as our co-host! Maya and Paul wrap up season 9 of the Viterbi Voices podcast and introduce the next co-host... Saafiyah! They talk about plans for…
Apr 21, 2024 · 1:18:26
In this episode, USC Viterbi seniors Maya (ISE '24), Nick (ASTR '24), Peyton (ME '24), and Victoria (ME '24) reflect on their past 4 years at USC. They discuss what they thought…
Apr 15, 2024 · 36:24
In this episode, Peyton is joined by her senior design team members Misha and Pono. They discuss a novel suspension system they designed for Martian rovers during their…
Apr 6, 2024 · 1:47:01
In this episode, Paul interviews Viterbi alum Caitlin about her career and time at USC. Caitlin speaks about moving around in her career through cybersecurity, consulting, and…
Mar 31, 2024 · 55:11
In this episode, Taylor interviews Carlton (CSBA '27), Cecil (Mech '24, M.S. Aero '25), Eliana (ISE '26), and Rachel Amir (BME '24) about their lives and time at Viterbi. They…
Mar 24, 2024 · 1:40:51
In this episode, Paul speaks with Viterbi alumna Bria Jamison (ENE '18, MS Green Technologies, '19) about her career as an environmental consultant, an engineer, and a fellow at…
Mar 17, 2024 · 1:17:38
In this episode, Paul speaks with Lorena Duran (LCSW, Ed.D.) from USC about student wellness at for engineering students in Viterbi. Wellness is a priority at USC to encourage…
Mar 10, 2024 · 1:16:20
In this episode Celine (BME '24) speaks with her friends Anthony (BME '24), Kara (BME '24), and Matt (BME '24) about life lessons they've learned throughout their four years of…
Mar 4, 2024 · 1:11:38
In this episode, Saafiyah speaks with Anshay as he reflects on his time at USC. We discuss his experience with transferring, entrepreneurship endeavors, senior year bucket lists,…
Feb 26, 2024 · 1:30:44
Parents of prospective Viterbi students, this episode is for you! In this episode, current Viterbi students, Maya and Grace, interview their parents to highlight the parent…
Feb 18, 2024 · 46:24
Join us for an episode of twinning in ISE at USC! In this episode, Maya interviews her twin brother, Charlie (ISE '24, M.S. DSCI '24), who shares insights into his academic…
Feb 11, 2024 · 43:33
In this episode, Maya and Peyton interview numerous Viterbi students hanging out at the Epstein Family Plaza on a Friday afternoon. The series of short interviews explores the…
Feb 4, 2024 · 54:48
In this episode, Maya interviews three members of the Rocket Propulsion Lab (RPL), Abbey, Kaleigh, and Meghna, about the organization and their experiences. RPL is a premier…
Jan 29, 2024 · 36:27
In this episode, Lucas speaks with Peyton (ME '24, M.S. ME '24) and Mitch (CE '26) about their experiences with housing at USC. They review different dorms, what they did each…
Jan 21, 2024 · 48:41
In this episode, Maya has a conversation with Alex Forgosh (CECS '26). They discuss their majors, why they chose USC, the best adjectives to describe Viterbi, and Alex's…
Jan 14, 2024 · 1:22:58
In this episode, Paul interviews Kevin Henry, senior director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Paul and Kevin discuss the importance…
Jan 7, 2024 · 1:13:39
In our first episode of 2024, Paul and the Viterbi admissions staff answer last minute questions about applications, admissions, and more. Whether you are currently finishing…
Dec 10, 2023 · 1:11:02
Join us for our last episode of the year! In this episode, Maya speaks to her classmate and long-time Viterbi Voices fan Ryan Slater (ISE '24). They discuss the podcast, why they…
Dec 4, 2023 · 1:11:55
In this episode, Saafiyah speaks with Ava and Aditya about their experiences with pursuing creative studies in addition to being Viterbi students. We discuss how they got…
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