USC names General Counsel Beong-Soo Kim as interim president after Carol Folt's retirement

The University of Southern California has named Beong-Soo Kim, the university's general counsel, as interim president after current President Carol Folt announced her retirement.

The university announced the news Wednesday, that the former federal prosecutor would step in as interim president beginning July 1.

Kim has been with the university since July 2020 and has served as senior vice president and general counsel. He worked closely with Folt and the Board of Trustees, providing leadership on several high-priority and strategic issues.

"Beong has demonstrated impeccable character, strong and collaborative leadership and a broad understanding of our academic research and medical enterprises, as well as our athletics programs," USC Board of Trustees Chair Suzanne Nora Johnson and Vice Chair David C. Bohnett said.

Johnson and Bohnett also announced the creation of a presidential search committee. Members of the committee will be led by USC Trustees and alumni Carmen Nava and Mark Stevens. The group will be responsible for gathering community input and recommending qualified candidates to the Board of Trustees.

Folt announced her retirement in November 2024 after serving as the university's president for five years. She led the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and pro-Palestine student encampments in Spring 2024.

"We thank President Folt for her visionary leadership and for steering the university through some of the most significant periods in its history," Johnson and Bohnett said.

Calls for Folt's resignation came after the university's handling of the pro-Palestine encampments on campus and her decision to cancel 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum's speech over safety concerns.