Beong-Soo Kim to Be Installed as USC President
The University of Southern California will formally install Beong-Soo Kim as its 13th president on Friday.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in People
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Beong-Soo Kim will be formally installed as the 13th president of the University of Southern California during a ceremony on the University Park campus this Friday, October 16, 2026. Kim has served as interim president since July 2025 and was unanimously elected to the permanent role by the Board of Trustees in February 2026.
Why it matters
The installation marks a new chapter for the university following a period of significant restructuring, which included the layoff of 1,000 employees to address a $200 million budget deficit. Kim's leadership is expected to prioritize institutional stability and his previously launched Open Dialogue Project.
The university's restructuring effort included the layoff of 1,000 employees as part of a strategy to eliminate a $200 million budget deficit by the end of the 2026 fiscal year.
The players
Beong-Soo Kim
He is the 13th president of the University of Southern California and former senior vice president and general counsel.
Carol Folt
She is the former president of the University of Southern California who announced her retirement in 2024.
Board of Trustees
This body governs the University of Southern California and is responsible for the presidential election process.
The details
The ceremony begins with an academic procession from Bovard Auditorium to Alumni Park, followed by a public Trojan Family celebration at the McCarthy Quad. Kim, who originally joined the university in 2020 as senior vice president and general counsel, emerged from a pool of over 1,000 candidates to succeed Carol Folt.
Timeline
February 4, 2026: Beong-Soo Kim is unanimously elected as president.
October 16, 2026: The formal installation ceremony takes place at the University Park campus.
9:30 a.m., October 16, 2026: The academic procession begins at Bovard Auditorium.
1:30 to 3:30 p.m., October 16, 2026: The Trojan Family celebration is held at McCarthy Quad.
Market Landscape
The transition in leadership occurs in the wake of the university restructuring effort that sought to consolidate operations following significant financial challenges. This shift positions the institution to focus on organizational stability after a period of widespread layoffs across its departments.
Students and staff should anticipate potential changes to university operations as the new president outlines his long-term vision during the investiture. The ceremony may also affect traffic and access around the University Park campus throughout the day.
The takeaway
The appointment of a long-time internal leader suggests a focus on continuity as the university works to finalize its fiscal recovery. Observers of higher education will be watching for how these leadership changes impact the institution's strategic partnerships with private sector organizations.
Further reading
For more information on university leadership, visit the Los Angeles People section.
More information
View official information about the investiture on the university website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
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