USC Names Beong-Soo Kim Interim President
New Leadership at USC
USC announced Wednesday that Beong-Soo Kim, a former federal prosecutor and the university’s general counsel, has been named its interim president and will take over after its current leader, Carol Folt, leaves her position at the end of June.
Guiding the University Through Crises
In his role as general counsel, Kim has guided the university through crises including a $1-billion settlement in 2021 with alumnae victimized by campus gynecologist George Tyndall, in what was the largest sex abuse payout in higher education history. Last spring, he advised Folt as she grappled with turmoil over pro-Palestinian activism and canceled commencement events.
New Challenges Ahead
He will take the helm at USC during a time of budget shortfalls, labor strife, and uncertainty as President Trump threatens to punish campus protesters and reel in so-called elite, “Marxist” universities.
Board of Trustees Praise Kim’s Leadership
Announcing the decision in a campuswide letter Wednesday, Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Nora Johnson and Vice Chair David C. Bohnett praised Kim, who has worked at USC since 2020, for his “impeccable character, strong and collaborative leadership, and a broad understanding of our academic research and medical enterprises, as well as our athletics programs.”
Kim’s Qualifications
Kim, 52, previously worked as a vice president and assistant general counsel at Kaiser Permanente and as a partner at the Jones Day law firm. He served in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles for nearly nine years, until 2012. Earlier, he was an adjunct law professor at USC.
Personal Interests
An amateur musician, Kim has a reputation for being calm and cerebral, and aware of the complexities in running a university. He has also been known to play the cello on his porch during impromptu pandemic-era concerts.
Reaction from the Community
John Manly, the Orange County lawyer who represented dozens of Tyndall sexual abuse victims, said he dealt with Kim in a “positive” way through intermediaries.
Looking to the Future
As USC enters a new era, Kim – and the future permanent president – faces growing challenges to the campus and higher education. There have been widespread complaints about departmental cuts and hiring freezes. The university saw tumult after reducing the long-standing benefit of free tuition for family members of employees who served for 15 years or more. USC is also challenging a unionization drive among thousands of adjunct, part-time, and non-tenure-track faculty.
Conclusion
Beong-Soo Kim’s appointment as interim president comes at a critical time for USC, and his leadership will be crucial in navigating the challenges facing the university. With his experience in crisis management and his commitment to the university’s academic, research, and health care missions, Kim is well-positioned to lead USC forward.
FAQs
- What is Beong-Soo Kim’s background?
- Why was Carol Folt stepping down as president?
- What are the challenges facing USC?
- What is the timeline for selecting a new president?
Kim is a former federal prosecutor and the university’s general counsel, with experience in crisis management and a deep understanding of the university’s academic, research, and health care missions.
Folt announced in November that she would step down as president and remain at USC as a tenured professor.
USC is facing budget shortfalls, labor strife, and uncertainty as President Trump threatens to punish campus protesters and reel in so-called elite, “Marxist” universities.
There is no deadline for selecting a new president, and Kim does not have an end date for his interim position.
