Carina Robles was raised in the spirit of “fighting”. Not only is his grandfather a Trojan of half a century, who graduated in the 1960s, but Robles, as someone who was born and raised in Southern California, knew from an early age how much impact USC has had on the Los Angeles area and beyond. He also knew that in order to achieve his personal goals he had to pursue his passions. Only one school was suitable.
Now, she’s graduating from her dream school as one of the valedictorian of the class of 2023.
“The entire USC community is so high achieving, I’m so humbled by it,” said Robles, a political science major in the USC Dornsife College of Arts and Sciences and a dance minor at USC Kaufman School of Dance.
In addition to his bachelor’s degree, as an undergraduate, Robles will also graduate with a Master of Legal Studies, a certificate in business law and a certificate in compliance law from the USC Gould School of Law.
It’s one thing for your parents to tell you to be proud, but another for the university to recognize you.
Carina Roblessalutatorian of USC
“It’s one thing for your parents to tell you to be proud, but it’s another for the university to recognize you,” he said.
Raised in Pasadena, Robles came to USC as a spring 2020 transfer student from the California Institute of the Arts. He was only on campus for eight weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down campuses around the world, but the freshman transfer student made those weeks count.
“I came into USC knowing it was a Troy family because of my grandfather, but I also knew everything I was going to do on campus, what I put in was what I was going to get out,” Robles said.
Robles immediately became involved in activities around campus, including dance and film productions, as well as organizations such as USC Tommy’s Tours and the USC’s Annenberg Center for Leadership and Communication Policy. The latter led her to the USC Election Cyber Security Initiative workshop, an independent, non-partisan Google-backed project that helps protect campaigns and elections.
“That’s what really sparked my passion for political science,” Robles said. “For the first time, I saw policies, on paper and via Zoom, turn into action with our legislatures actually talking about how they’re implementing cybersecurity.”
For the USC salutatorian, a true interdisciplinary experience
The performing arts, especially dance, were always a part of Robles’ life growing up. He knew he wanted to continue acting, but he didn’t want to give up his new love for political science. Many schools would have made him choose between the two, but at USC, Robles didn’t have to.
“USC has so many options,” Robles said. “There is so much emphasis on the interdisciplinary aspect of the different universities that it inspires you to try everything.”
She said USC Kaufman provided a comprehensive approach to the study of dance.
“USC Kaufman was a very good bridge between the technique and the cultural expression that comes with dance,” Robles said.
The dance minor also served as a nice contrast to her political science major. Robles said the exercise and physical expression of dance was a refreshing break from the more traditional environment of political science. Additionally, the self-expression and confidence she gained through dance translated into her work in the classroom.
“Dance helped me learn to step out of my comfort zone,” Robles said. “When I got into polyscience classes, I had more confidence in myself — I felt like I could ask questions, not be afraid, and really trust what I knew and what I didn’t know.”
A Fulbright, Taiwan and the road ahead for the USC salutatorian
After getting started, Robles will continue to step out of her comfort zone when she begins her Fulbright program in Taiwan this August. As someone who studied Mandarin at USC, she will teach English and direct a dance program abroad.
I feel like all these parts of my life are coming together with this Fulbright.
Carina Roblessalutatorian of USC
“I feel like all these parts of my life are really coming together with this Fulbright,” she said.
Until then, Robles said he will take a deep breath and reflect on his “amazing years” at USC.
“There’s so much commotion when you’re there, that when I finally get to the commencement stage and my name is read and my diploma is handed to me, it’s going to take a moment for me to say, ‘Wow, what happened?’ ‘” Robles said with a laugh.
Looking back to when she first set foot on campus as a new transfer student, Robles said she might not have been able to predict exactly which path she would take, though knowing her own work ethic, she would believe the outcome.
“I think my freshman self would have believed in me,” Robles said. “I’m not sure I knew exactly what I was going to do, although I knew I was going to do a lot of things, but I like to make sure that I do a lot of things to my best potential. Not just the quantity, but the quality has to be good.” .
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