The Board of Trustees for the University of Southern California (USC) announced today, Feb. 4, 2026, the unanimous appointment of Beong-Soo Kim as the university’s 13th president following a highly competitive and comprehensive search process. Kim will immediately assume his new position.
Serving as Interim President since July 1, 2025, Kim has positioned the university to deepen its academic impact across the nation and the globe, fostered interdisciplinary research, and unlocked transformative philanthropic support. By collaborating closely with the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, academic deans, faculty, staff, students, and alumni worldwide, he has also established a strong foundation of trust across the Trojan Family.
“I am deeply honored by the confidence the Trojan Family and Board of Trustees have placed in me,” said Kim. “USC is a very special place, and we are uniquely positioned to advance our mission and impact during this period of change across higher education. Our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and global impact positions us to shape the future – not just respond to it. Together with our accomplished faculty and dedicated staff, we will prepare the next generation not just for the jobs of tomorrow, but to provide the leadership and solutions our world needs.”