USC Names Beong-Soo Kim as Next President, Sparking Controversy

Former federal prosecutor and university general counsel takes helm amid budget cuts and external pressures

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:41pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a university graduation cap repeated in a tight grid pattern, using vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to transform the everyday symbol of higher education into a modern pop art piece.The bold and unconventional appointment of Beong-Soo Kim as USC's new president signals a potential shift in the leadership of higher education institutions, as they navigate complex financial and political challenges.Los Angeles Today

In a surprising move, the University of Southern California has appointed Beong-Soo Kim as its 13th president, despite him only serving as interim president for the past seven months. Kim, a former federal prosecutor and the university's ex-general counsel, was tasked with navigating significant financial and political challenges during his interim period, including major budget cuts and layoffs of over 1,000 employees. While the USC board of trustees praised Kim's decisive leadership, some faculty and staff have voiced concerns about the perceived lack of transparency and communication surrounding the austerity measures.

Why it matters

This unconventional presidential appointment at a major university signals a potential shift in higher education leadership, with institutions increasingly turning to non-traditional candidates who are willing to make tough decisions in the face of mounting pressures. The selection of Kim, with his background in law rather than academia, raises questions about the future direction of USC and whether universities need leaders focused on efficiency and adaptability versus those who prioritize consensus-building and a more vocal stance on societal issues.

The details

During his interim presidency, Beong-Soo Kim implemented major budget cuts and laid off over 1,000 USC employees to address a substantial deficit. He also had to contend with external pressures, including federal scrutiny from the Trump administration and the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its impact on higher education. While the USC board of trustees praised Kim's decisive actions, some faculty and staff have voiced concerns about the perceived lack of transparency and communication surrounding the layoffs and budget cuts. A segment of the USC community has also expressed disappointment, believing that university leadership should have taken a more vocal stance against what they saw as attacks on diversity initiatives, crucial research funding, and the principles of free speech on campus.

  • Kim served as interim president for seven months before being appointed the 13th president of USC.
  • The layoffs and budget cuts implemented by Kim occurred during his interim presidency.

The players

Beong-Soo Kim

The newly appointed 13th president of the University of Southern California, with a background as a former federal prosecutor and the university's ex-general counsel.

Suzanne Nora Johnson

The chair of the USC board of trustees, who expressed widespread confidence in Kim's leadership and described him as a "next generation president" uniquely positioned to propel USC forward.

USC Board of Trustees

The governing body of the University of Southern California that made the decision to appoint Beong-Soo Kim as the university's 13th president.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

This controversial appointment of Beong-Soo Kim as USC's president highlights the evolving landscape of higher education leadership, where institutions are increasingly turning to non-traditional candidates who are willing to make tough decisions to address financial and political challenges. The decision raises questions about the future direction of USC and whether universities need leaders focused on efficiency and adaptability versus those who prioritize consensus-building and a more vocal stance on societal issues.