Beong-Soo Kim has officially assumed the role of interim president at the University of Southern California (USC), effective July 1, 2025. His appointment follows the retirement of President Carol Folt, who concluded her tenure after six years of leadership. Kim, who previously served as USC’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel since July 2020, becomes the university’s first Asian American president, marking a significant milestone in USC’s history.
Born in Harbor City, California, and raised in Woodland Hills, Kim is the son of Korean immigrants who both pursued graduate studies at USC. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. His professional background includes roles as a federal prosecutor, a partner at the law firm Jones Day, and an executive at Kaiser Permanente.(
During his tenure as General Counsel, Kim played a pivotal role in navigating USC through various challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, legal matters related to athletics and health sciences, and initiatives to enhance governance and compliance across the university. He has also been actively involved in USC’s academic community, serving as an adjunct professor at the Gould School of Law.
In a message to the USC community, Kim acknowledged the complexities facing higher education, such as evolving research funding landscapes and the integration of artificial intelligence into academic settings. He emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and reaffirmed USC’s commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement.
“While change can be unsettling, it also creates opportunities — to sharpen our focus, challenge assumptions, and recommit to what matters most: the impact we have on our students, patients, and society,” Kim stated.
The USC Board of Trustees has initiated a comprehensive search for the university’s next permanent president. The Presidential Search Committee, co-chaired by Trustees Carmen Nava and Mark Stevens, includes representation from faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The committee aims to identify a leader who embodies USC’s values and can navigate the institution through the evolving landscape of higher education.
Kim has expressed that he does not intend to be a candidate for the permanent position. His interim presidency is expected to continue until the appointment of a new president, a process anticipated to conclude by mid-2026.
Beyond his administrative and legal expertise, Kim is known for his community involvement. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his wife, Bonnie Wongtrakool, performed cello concerts from their Pasadena home, fostering a sense of connection and resilience within their neighborhood.
As USC embarks on this transitional period, Kim’s leadership is poised to uphold the university’s mission and values, ensuring continuity and progress in its academic and community endeavors.
