Hannah Rhodes

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“Enthusiastic student of the world who wants to create positive and sustainable change.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Fun Fact About Yourself: I have run 2 full marathons and 3 half marathons. I plan to run my 3rd full marathon next year.

Undergraduate School and Major: Seattle University, BS in Nursing

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Clinical Management Consultants, Healthcare Management Recruiter

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA? I always knew that I would come back to Los Angeles after living in other parts of the country because LA has a multitude of access to nature, activities, and wonderful people. LA spearheads initiatives to move society as a whole forward. It is the perfect place to get my MBA because in this city I can be a part of the positive change that will create a more inclusive, environmentally aware, and technologically savvy future.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the key part of USC Marshall’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? The Trojan Network! Besides the metrics displaying the amazing academics and diversity at Marshall, I see the obvious unity from membership in this community. The Trojan Network is not only an alumni network, but a feeling evident through the passion of the professors and staff as well. It provides us a purpose as to why we come every day, to be part of a greater goal to serve one another. The Trojan Network pushes me to be spirited and passionate in everything I do which is very important for belonging and success.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at USC Marshall? I am excited to join the Marshall Wine Club because I enjoy learning about wine and am looking forward to using the club’s events as a catalyst for great conversations with other people. In the past decade, I have grown interested in where wine comes from and how it is produced. I hope to gain greater knowledge of this expertise through club events.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized that USC Marshall was the right program for you? Why? At Admit Day I was pretty sure that I was going to Marshall, but I was not 100% sure. While there, I was impressed by the amount of care that went into the introductions of staff and alumni. That whole day I gained excitement for the program ahead of me and the opportunities, like Prime and the Case Competition, that were coming. Marshall emphasized tailoring the classes to our desires as students, with the capability of taking elective courses throughout any school at the university.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: Working during the COVID-19 Pandemic in New York City when it was unknown was a huge accomplishment for me. I was working in the Medical Intensive Care Unit with the sickest patients before the world knew what COVID was. I had to be innovative and flexible while working with a multifunctional team to maximize outcomes.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? My MBA will have been successful through the amount of presence I allow in all the moments that matter most. To start, this presence includes curiosity in the classroom and participation in group case competitions but broadens to active club membership. A successful MBA leaves me with deep connections to students and faculty, and a greater excitement to always give back and keep learning.

DON’T MISS: MEET USC MARSHALL’S MBA CLASS OF 2026