PR Newswire
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4, 2026
Visionary Leader Beong-Soo Kim to Advance USC’s National and Global Excellence
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 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.
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«The Board’s unanimous vote reflects what we learned throughout the search process: widespread confidence in Beong’s leadership. As a next generation president, we believe that he can dramatically accelerate USC’s institutional advancement as a distinctive leader in higher education during a time of unprecedented change,» said Suzanne Nora Johnson, Chair of the USC Board of Trustees. «During his service as Interim President, we recognized his demonstration of our core values, which included his impeccable character, his engagement and respect for all members of our university community, his courage in making and owning difficult and complex decisions, and his commitment to excellence in all that we do.»
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.»
- Click here to watch Kim’s first presidential message.
As president, Kim will continue to advance USC’s core mission: prioritizing academic excellence, cultivating future leaders, addressing complex societal challenges through collaboration and open dialogue, and advancing interdisciplinary scientific research. His Presidential Open Dialogue Project and the AI Strategy Committee, launched during his time as Interim President, created university-wide forums that address the critical challenges of the 21st century.
Kim recently co-hosted USC’s first-ever AI Summit which brought together students, faculty, and industry leaders to explore AI’s impact on education, business, and society, addressing both opportunities and ethical challenges. The event positioned USC as a leader in shaping conversations about responsible AI development and reflected Kim’s commitment to bridging academic research with real-world entrepreneurship.
To further leverage the expertise on USC’s campuses and more directly involve faculty in key university decisions, Kim brought deans into the President’s Cabinet to advance his top strategic priorities, and established a Faculty Advisory Committee reporting directly to him and representing faculty from many of the schools.
«Beong has already demonstrated a deep commitment to advance USC’s academic mission working alongside our outstanding faculty. His lofty ambitions and sustained dedication will guide the university to even greater scholarly accomplishments,» said Dana Goldman, Founding Director of the USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy & Government Service.
As part of his commitment to extending USC’s thought leadership, Kim started a podcast, «Trojan Talks,» which he has used to communicate USC’s priorities, research, and leadership to wider audiences. Guests have included Dean Willow Bay, Jonathan Haidt, Dr. Indy Gill, Professor Eileen Crimmins, and others.
«Since becoming Interim President, Beong has been instrumental in cultivating support for our research and elevating awareness for our groundbreaking advances to cure blindness,» said Mark Humayun, MD, PhD, Director of the USC Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Institute for Biomedical Therapeutics and Co-Director of USC Roski Eye Institute. «I strongly believe that universities today must demonstrate real-world impact and I look forward to helping Beong so that USC’s biomedical discoveries reach the global stage and the communities that need them most.»
Over the past seven months, Kim has met with more than 40,000 members of the Trojan Family on USC’s campuses in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., as well as at events around the world, engaging students, faculty, staff, researchers, and alumni.
«Beong stepped into the interim role with transparency, authenticity, and a strong commitment to all constituents: staff, students, and faculty,» said Erika Chesley, Senior Associate Director, USC Hospitality. «He listened openly, welcomed diverse perspectives, and adapted thoughtfully as circumstances evolved. His non-traditional background proved to be a strength, offering a fresh and steady approach at a time when change required both honesty and compassion. I look forward to continuing our conversations around staff experience as he builds on the strong foundation established during the interim period.»
In India, he recognized and celebrated the powerful legacy of the late USC Trustee Ratan Tata and underscored USC’s long-standing relationships with international students. And at the USC Norris Cancer Hospital, he met with patients, physicians, nurses, faculty, and Keck Medicine leadership. Throughout his interactions, his approach has been consistent: visionary leadership grounded in compassion, intellectual curiosity, and active listening.
«Beong’s commitment to USC is extraordinary,» said Carmen Nava, USC Trustee and Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. «He possesses exceptional diplomatic skills and has made decisive decisions that have maintained the university’s academic mission and preserved the institution’s long-term financial health. Throughout difficult moments, Beong has led with transparency, open communication, and genuine care for our Trojan Family. His approach to the challenges facing higher education – marked by open mindedness and personal integrity – is exactly what USC needs at this critical juncture.»
«Beong demonstrated exceptional leadership during one of the most challenging periods not only in higher education, but in the nation,» said Mark Stevens, USC Trustee and Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. «He navigated complex challenges while positioning USC for growth, all without losing sight of our central mission. His work connecting USC’s strengths and deepening community ties is already reshaping what’s possible for our students and the broader Trojan family.»
Kim’s career spans higher education, health care, legal practice, and public service. He previously served as USC’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and as a lecturer at the USC Gould School of Law. Kim helped guide USC through the Covid-19 pandemic, built stronger compliance systems and trust across the university, advocated for both academic freedom and non-discrimination, and strengthened governance across the health system and health sciences schools.
Prior to joining USC, he held senior roles at Kaiser Permanente, served as a partner in an international law firm, and served as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Kim earned his bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor from Harvard University and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics.
A Los Angeles native, Kim’s personal connection to USC runs deep. He is the son of Korean immigrant parents who both pursued graduate studies at USC. His mother earned her master’s degree in education in 1970, and his father completed PhD coursework in economics. As a student at Calabasas High School, Kim studied the cello and chamber music under the tutelage of two legendary professors at the USC Thornton School of Music, Eleonore and Alice Schoenfeld. During the pandemic, Kim performed «porch concerts» with his wife Bonnie Wongtrakool to bring calm to his neighborhood and has gone on to perform with students, and for faculty, staff, students, and patients at USC’s University Park and Health Sciences Campuses.
«Playing cello for most of my life has taught me that excellence demands listening, timing, and harmony. USC works the same way: exceptional people working together toward a shared mission none of us could accomplish alone. My job as president is orchestrating that collective effort,» said Kim.
Kim’s selection reflects a comprehensive and thoughtful search process that valued the robust feedback provided by the Trojan Family.
«On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to our Presidential Search Committee chairs for their outstanding stewardship during this process,» said Suzanne Nora Johnson. «Their commitment to hosting a thorough and inclusive search that engaged the entire Trojan Family resulted in an outstanding outcome for USC’s future. Their work will have a lasting impact on the university for generations to come.»
About USC
Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is one of the world’s leading academic research institutions with 23 schools, a multi-billion-dollar health enterprise, and a vast research and development engine. The university enrolls 46,000 highly accomplished undergraduate and graduate students and employs 4,600 faculty who are members of major national academies, and MacArthur, Academy Award, and Pulitzer Prize winners, among many others. USC has a nationally recognized athletic program and a passionate global network of 500,000 alumni – the Trojan Family. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, USC is a powerhouse of innovation and impact with a global reach.
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Tengo varias preguntas sobre esto a ver si me podiais aclarar:
-¿Puedo hacer un ingreso regular de 800 euros y me cobran 0euos de comisiones y mto.?
-¿Puedo sacar el dinero cuando quiera?,¿todo ó tengo entendido que hay que mantener un mínimo de 100 euros los 30 meses?
-No necesito pero me obligan a sacar una tarjeta de débito que me cuesta 11 euros el primer año y 22 euros la renovación, también otra de credito que me cuesta 0 euros el primer año y 35 euros la renovación.
¿Hay que mantenerlas 13 meses?
¿Puedo cancelar alguna de ellas desde el principio?
¿Puedo cancelar alguna de ellas antes de la renovación?
¿Hay alguna tarjeta de credito más barata?
Aparte de la cuenta nómina he visto que también que para que te den la tv también se puede sacar una cuenta tarifa plana básica o personal, ¿sabeis algo de estas cuentas?¿que requisitos tienen?
Muchas gracias a todos por responder
Yo fui a informarme y te cuento. Únicamente admiten los ingresos regulares en el caso de que seas autónomo. Te abren una cuenta Tarifa Plana Cero que está exenta de comisiones y presenta alguna ventaja más. Sobre dejar un mínimo de saldo en la cuenta no es necesario, pero sí te obligan a mantener varias tarjetas durante los 30 meses con un coste aproximado de 100 euros anuales.
hola buenas!
me llamo javi y estoy dudando de que banco, me puede dar mas beficios, sin sorpresas por domiciliar la nomina, ya que llevo años en la caixa y no me da nada ningun beneficio. es mas me rechazan los prestamos que solicito, ni siquiera una targeta de credito, por alegan de que siempre esta a cero la cuenta, yo cuando cobro la nomina dejo el dinero para los pagos, y saco el resto, pues no me fio, de que un dia me quede sin dinero, ya que esta todo muy mal, corre riesgo mi dinero o mis ahorros en el banco?? muchas gracias y un cordial saludo.
javi
NO TE EXTRAÑE QUE NO TE DEN LOS PTMOS, PORQUE LO QUE VEN ES QUE NO TIENES CAPACIDAD DE AHORRO PORQUE SIEMPRE DEJAS LA CTA. EN MINIMOS, ASI NINGUN BANCO TE LO VA A CONCEDER. TAMBIEN ES VERDAD QUE LA CAIXA, COMO TANTAS OTRAS CAJAS, TIENE EL PUÑO CERRADO PARA LOS RIESGOS, PARA REMONTAR. NO TE PREOCUPES, QUE POR UNA NOMINA NO CREO QUE NINGUN BANCO SE COJA LAS MANOS. LOS QUE SE TIENEN QUE PREOCUPAR SON LOS QUE TIENEN DÉPÓSITOS Y FONDOS EN BANCOS DE DUDOSA ACTIVIDAD. LA GENTE SE PIENSA QUE PORQUE LES DEN UN 7% YA ES UN GRAN BANCO Y SE EQUIVOCAN. LO QUE LES PASA ES QUE EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA LES PRESTA EL DINERO MAS CARO Y POR ESO OPTAN POR CONSEGUIRLO EN EL MERCADO MONETARIO, Y SI EL BANCO DE ESPAÑA NO SE FIA DE ELLOS, VA Y SE FIA LA GENTE. QUE LOS BANCOS NOES LA ADMON PUBLICA, ABRAN OS OJOS.
Hola , cuando vallais al banco queos dejen lo que hay que pagar de irpf y de iva sobre el valor de la tele ya que en la mayoria de bancos esto no lo dicen y luego llagan las sorpresas .A mi ya me ha pasado con la promoción del portatil y nunca me hablaros de esto . Cuidado
Yo he estado calculando y la tele entre unas cosas y otras te sale sobre unos 250euros que tampoco regalan tanto .Hay oficinas en las que han dado la occión de poner un dinero a plazo fijo a 12meses de 9300euros o 6800euros a 18 meses.
No es ningún chollo. Te obligan a contratar dos tarjetas de crédito que tienes que pagar porque las tienes que mantener 13 meses por lo menos y además llevan unos costes desproporcionados si las utilizas. En total, no usando las tarjetas y anulándolas una vez cumplidos los 13 meses puedes ahorrar unos 38 euros con respecto al precio de ese televisor en una gran superficie. Y además luego vendrá que te cobran para hacienda la retención correspondiente, por lo que probablemente incluso en las mejores condiciones te cueste más que si ahorras un poco y lña compras directamente.
Creó que teneis toda la razón, que aqui no te regalan nada, ya que a mí me paso con unas sartenes que regalaban el banco bilbao, que al final entre el irpf y el descuento de Hacienda, al final me salieron caras, así es que no os tomen el pelo, que al final siempre esta la letra pequeña que es la que nos joroba, por no decir otra cosa.
Yo saque el portatil y ahora me he sacado la TV LCD 32. Estas promos no hay que declararlas. No es obligado domiciliar nomina. Si, meter en la cuenta 800€ todos los meses en un margen de 10 dias. Cero matacero, pero cero,cero, cero de gastos de mantenimiento, ni por recibos, ni por el correo a casa, ni por transfer. Las tarjets gratis el 1er año. Resto fuera. Dadas de baja Menos la de debito. Banesto no pierde nada, ganar, gana clientes que es el proposito de esta promo. Precio de portatil y tv 32 en mercao unos 900€ los 2. En banest 197€. Los hay mejores, nos ha jodio! portatiles a 1200€, TV LCD 32 a 1000€. Señores, son lentejas. Relacion calida-precio-promo es cojonud…….Un saludit a los viandantes.
hola , no se si llegara mi comentario pero os voi a esplicar. esto es el cuento de la abuela. mira yo tengo el portatil. y he cogio tab la tele, pero sabeis ke?, me ha pasado de todo. os esplico. primero me cobran 74 euros y 25 euros de unas tarjetas que yo no las he visto aparecer por mi casa , me cabreo con el banco. llamo y pido esplicaciones. me dicen que van en la promocion, nunca jamas nadie me informo de las tarjetas, no me devuelven el dinero. me cabreo y me dicen que llame aun numero de tefono para darlas de baja, se pasan los dias, intentamos darlas de baja. largas y larga, que si este numero de tefono que si el otro bla bla bla. conseguimos hablar y nos dicen que tenemos que cambiar el contrato a tarifa plana o no se ke historias, llamando al banco se pasan los dias, largas y largas. me cabreo y estoi por suspender todo, me dicen que si lo quiero cambiar y dar de baja las tarjetas que nunca he tenido. tengo que pagar comisiones cada seis meses de doce y pico euros, y que si no quiero que me cobren comisiones tengo que ir todos los meses al banco a hacerlo yo, ufffffffffff.aun hay mas. me dan de baja y me hacen la tarifa plana, se equivocan un monton de veces. me hacen pasar muchos cabreos.y al final cuando llego a casa me han cobrado 25, 50 euros. y llamo por telefono y se lo digo , me dicen claro por dar de baja la otra cuenta , la madre que los pario. ladrones. o sea os digo que la tele no sale regalada, se la cobran y muy bien cobrada , nadie da nada por nada. en cuento termine de pagar lo que debo quito todas las cuentas del banesto.espero que alguien me lea y que me conteste gracias .
Banesto ha jodido a mi marido y a un amigo tambien. Para mi, despues de Banco de Andalucía son los peores. Y quieran creerlo o no ni la television ni el portátil te lo regalan.. como no cumplas cualquiera de las reglas te sancionan con 300 y pico de euros.. porque nos hemos mudado de casa y los recibos domiciados se cortaron «temporalmente» la sancion fue de mas de 300 euros.. y el cabreo q te llevas cuando ves lo q te han descontado y luego para ir a reclamarlos.. y como te tratan !! en fin.. espero que Banesto sea lo primero en undirse en el fin del mundo!!
CHOLLO!!!!!!!!!JAJAJAJAJA…….NO ES NINGUN CHOLLO!!!!!!! te cobran 100 € de gastos de manipulacion, mas 150 € en tarjetas durante 2 años, mas 6 € mensuales de mantenimiento de cuenta durante 30 meses, total que pagas 630 Euros por un ordenador o una TV que su valor seguro que no llega a 500 €. Y encima si vas a cancelar la cuenta cuando cumples los 30 meses requeridos te hacen esperar dos horas para decirte que no tienen linea de telefono para dar de baja la cuenta, cosa que no para nunca cuando vas a contratarlo. Y del trato que dispensan….., es el mismo que si vas con un fajo de billetes de 500 € por los CO-JONES
Banesto «premia», menuda falacia…
No hay ningún banco que premie a nadie.
BANESTO NECESITA NUESTRAS NÓMINAS, Y EN CUANTO VAS UN POCO JUSTO, COMO BUENOS JUDÍOS Y ÁVAROS QUE SON, TE ACOSAN Y MACHACAN, Y TE SACAN HASTA LAS ENTRAÑAS EN COMISIONES.
DESPUÉS EL ESTADO APOYA A LOS BANCOS, CON LA EXCUSA DE QUE SI CAEN LOS BANCOS CAEMOS TODOS. LOS BANCOS NECESITAN UN BOICOT DE VEZ EN CUANDO, PARA QUE NO NOS RESTREGUEN POR LA CARA SUS BENEFICIOS.
POR CIERTO, LO QUE MÁS FASTIDIA A UN BANCO ES UNA RECLAMACIÓN EN LA OFICINA DEL CONSUMIDOR Y OTRA AL BANCO DE ESPAÑA.
ES POR DAR PISTAS…