USC Appoints New President Amidst Recent Challenges

The University of Southern California has announced a new president following a period marked by significant turmoil, including mass layoffs and heightened attention over anti-Israel protests.

Kim Bong-soo has been appointed as the 13th president, after serving as interim president for the last eight months. His previous roles at the university include senior vice president and general counsel.

“Mr. Bong has established a strong foundation of integrity and trust,” said Suzanne Nora Johnson in an email confirming the unanimous decision. She added that his steadfast commitment to USC’s core values makes him an ideal leader to propel the institution towards its ambitious goals.

Expressing gratitude for the appointment, Kim stated, “Thank you for entrusting me to advance USC’s mission with openness, vision, and integrity during this time of change and immense opportunity.”

Kim joined USC in 2020 but has been connected to the university since 2007, when he served as an adjunct professor at the USC Gould School of Law.

His leadership comes at a pivotal moment. He will oversee a sizable university community, which includes over 47,000 students and 4,500 faculty and staff. Recently, USC expanded its presence in Washington, D.C., with the opening of a new Capital Campus.

His selection has caught some by surprise. Initially indicating he wouldn’t pursue the permanent presidency, Kim was later recognized by the board for his effective interim leadership.

Nora Johnson noted that the search committee was impressed by Kim’s performance, believing he could significantly enhance USC’s institutional progress. “He has extraordinary diplomatic skills and has made decisive decisions that support the university’s academic mission and long-term financial stability,” she remarked.

Kim took on the interim presidency after former President Carol Folt’s controversial term ended, which included major layoffs of over 900 employees linked to a budget deficit that has reached over $200 million.

The university faced significant challenges, including intense nationwide protests where nearly 100 individuals were arrested, leading to federal oversight. During Kim’s interim period, the Department of Education sent an agreement regarding academic excellence to several universities, including USC.

This agreement proposed limiting race and gender considerations in admissions and banning biological males from participating in women’s sports. Kim indicated that while USC declined to participate, the institution looked forward to engaging in the national dialogue about the future of higher education.

USC was also listed for investigation by a Task Force created to Combat Anti-Semitism as part of an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump. This came amidst various incidents, including an act of vandalism on campus.

Facing these challenges, Kim must also navigate the growing calls for unionization among non-tenured faculty.

In addition, Miriam Adelson, a notable supporter of President Trump, has significantly contributed to USC’s funding and serves as a Trustee Emeritus of the University of California.

Kim’s background is closely tied to USC; both of his parents were international students at the university. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and furthered his education with a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.