People often pursue a graduate degree to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge and advance in their chosen profession. For Gregory Smith and Lindsay Verber, enrolling in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program online at USC Price School of Public Policy offered all that — and something else unexpected.
Their time at USC not only propelled their career trajectories, but also led to them falling in love. Smith and Verber first connected while collaborating on their program’s capstone project, a partnership that flourished into a marriage and later a family.
Both were drawn to USC for similar reasons. Smith, for example, had launched his career with the U.S. Department of Labor during his undergraduate studies at Arizona State University, transitioning from a part-time internship to a full-time role after graduation. He spent 12 years with the DOL before deciding it was time to return to school.
“I had to face a career choice at that point, which was either to move to Washington, D.C., to be in the epicenter of federal employment or to start thinking outside the agency. My resume at that point, however, [wouldn’t allow me] to compete for any higher-level executive positions. Just a bachelor’s degree wasn’t going to cut it,” he recalled.
Verber, meanwhile, was working as the public health manager for a federally qualified health center in Portland, Oregon. She, too, realized she needed a career change — and that it would require enhancing her skills.
“All the work that I’ve done in the nonprofit sector has been so intertwined with politics and the public sphere,” she explained. “There is a beautiful opportunity for these sectors to work in harmony, and the MPA program had everything I was looking for.”
It certainly was: Verber was able to gain the knowledge she needed to do better, more meaningful work in the nonprofit space.
“It gave me the additional skills to understand budgets, both as a nonprofit professional and from the government perspective,” she said.
Smith, who ultimately left federal service during his time at USC to work as the director of human resources at a community college, had a similar experience.
“The most impactful skill is definitely around strategic thinking and acting — how to peek around the corner and be able to see what’s coming before other people are aware of it and act preemptively,” he explained.
Reflecting on their experiences at USC, both Smith and Verber highlighted their professors, the comprehensive curriculum, the flexibility of studying online and the incredible Trojan network.
“I’ve had so many experiences where I’ve reached out to USC alumni, and they’ve been so quick to respond, so generous with their time, experience and knowledge,” Smith noted.
But most importantly for them, it sparked their romance — sort of, anyway.
“We joke that we online dated because we were in the program together, but we actually did not date at all while we were in the MPA,” Smith laughed.
Throughout their courses, the two didn’t interact much, but that all changed when they were paired up to work on the same group capstone project.
“We all became really close, good friends because you’re talking to each other all day, every day for 15 weeks,” she recalled.
Smith and Verber went their separate ways after the program ended, but USC brought them together again. Their capstone project involved working with a nonprofit in Washington State, and about a year after graduation, the organization held an in-person strategic planning session. The group was invited to attend and present their research, and Verber was excited by the prospect of a reunion.
“We met in person, and I was like, ‘Oh, he’s much cuter than from behind the screen.’ I already had the utmost respect for him as a professional, as an academic. Then I found out he was a good human, too,” Verber recalled.
“And this time, we connected at a more personal level. Now we’re married and have a wonderful little daughter, and the rest is history,” Smith said.
These days, Smith works as the chancellor of human resources for the San Diego Community College District, which was what led the family to relocate to Southern California.
“This is what I want to do for the rest of my career. The level of impact that I can have in this district is prominent within our system around the state. A lot of the skill sets that I learned during the online MPA program comes in handy every single day in the work that I’m doing,” Smith said.
Verber, meanwhile, is the executive director of Girls on the Run San Diego, a nonprofit that focuses on inspiring girls to build confidence, make connections and focus on their physical strength.
“I love working in women-related nonprofits, preventative adolescent health initiatives and things of that nature. I would like to be doing this job for a long while,” she said.
Clearly, for Smith and Verber — and like many Trojan alumni — USC led to fulfilling careers and greater job opportunities. And while USC can’t guarantee you’ll find a romantic partner during your studies, their love story speaks to a wider truth about the Trojan community: You will form long-lasting, meaningful connections with peers from around the globe.
Learn more about the Master of Public Administration (MPA) online program today.