Jon C. May

University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business

“A lasagna and comic book loving, veteran who’s excited to help tell stories that inspire .”

Hometown: Duluth, GA by way of Gulfport, MS

Fun Fact About Yourself:  I had a short but interesting career as a voice-actor for several local commercials in Florida and New York

Undergraduate School and Major: Florida A&M University; Business Administration and Emergency Management (ROTC)

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Wieden + Kennedy, Account Executive & Air National Guardsmen

What makes Los Angeles such a great place to earn an MBA? Los Angeles is a city that has so much to offer in three key areas that were important to me: LA’s proximity to my career goal in entertainment was crucial as it is an industry with such a heavy emphasis on networking. Being here allows me to take advantage of on-campus opportunities and opportunities off-campus. LA is a beautiful and diverse city offering opportunities to take a break from the rigors of the MBA program and enjoy all it has to offer, including its beaches, hiking, and live entertainment opportunities to take a break from the rigors of the MBA program and enjoy all it has to offer.

Aside from your classmates and location, what was the critical part of USC Marshall’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school, and why was it so important to you? Marshall’s is set up to ensure you, as a student, have the opportunity to craft a tailor-made curriculum for your career goals. While all students take core courses to strengthen their quantitative and leadership skills going into summer internships, there are also opportunities to choose courses candidates are interested in within the first year and complete control over which courses to take in their second year. Whether it be courses focused on leadership and team development like Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Business or more quantitative skills like Strategy and Operations through CFO Lens, the person who chooses what is needed is the person who knows you best, yourself.

What course, club, or activity excites you the most at USC Marshall? The Business of Entertainment Association is a particularly unique club to Marshall as few other MBA programs have such a robust and well-connected club for those interested in the entertainment industry. In many conversations with 2nd-year students and alumni, BEA has been one of the most impactful aspects of successfully applying for and securing their desired roles.

Looking at your recruitment, what was the moment when you realized that USC Marshall was the right program for you? Why? While preparing to apply to programs, I connected with several students and alumni on an impromptu visit to LA. Without hesitating, they immediately collaborated to organize a tour, introduce me to students and professors on campus, and take their lunches to chat about my career aspirations and personal ambitions. Even before being accepted, I felt like part of the Trojan family! It reminds me of my experience at FAMU, with its tight-knit community within the small classes and the passionate support from USC alumni, which will help me grow and succeed professionally.    

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my proudest accomplishments occurred through my service in the Air National Guard, separate from my civilian career in marketing and advertising. My career in the military has focused on emergency management, including the responsibility of helping coordinate the evacuation of aircraft and military personnel during a powerful hurricane. Experiences like these remind me of the importance of your service and reinforce my confidence in working under pressure.

Looking ahead two years, what would make your MBA experience successful? Envisioning my future, I see myself connecting audiences to diverse stories from creators of color at the intersection of brand management and entertainment. Marshall’s unparalleled resources and connections will have positioned me to achieve this. Courses like “Fostering Creativity” would teach me how to motivate my creative partners, while “Leading with DEI” would prepare me to address significant shortfalls of diverse leaders in the entertainment industry. Through PRIME, Marshall’s global experience program, I’ll gain insight into the international film market in Hong Kong and Seoul.

Outside the classroom, the Business of Entertainment Association will have helped me learn about the keys to industry success and grow my network of diverse leaders with similar passions. I’ll have contributed to and developed my leadership skills through the Black Graduate Business Leaders organization while hopefully leading a few biking trips through Santa Monica with the Outdoor Club.

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