USC Appoints Beong-Soo Kim as Its 13th President

The University of Southern California, a prominent research institution and major private employer in Los Angeles, has officially welcomed Beong-Soo Kim as its 13th president. Kim’s installation took place on Friday, where he swiftly outlined a fresh academic direction for the university.

During the ceremony, Kim remarked, “Few universities can do this as well as USC because few cities contain as much of the future as Los Angeles.” He acknowledged the challenges facing higher education, such as student loan debt and declining enrollment, viewing these issues as opportunities for growth. In an interview, Kim highlighted the extraordinary faculty at USC, many of whom come from industry backgrounds, and discussed the importance of promoting interactive learning experiences for both students and faculty. He also reflected on his personal connection to USC, noting that both of his immigrant parents were graduates of the institution, making this role particularly meaningful for him.