Carol Folt announced plans earlier this month to step down as the president USC at the end of the academic year. Her replacement has not yet been announced.
She was the university’s 12th president and called her tenure “one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
“Working with so many of you to achieve the promise of our incredible Trojan Family brings me joy and inspiration each day,” she said in a statement. “After more than 20 years of leadership at three great universities, however, I am excited to embrace the freedom that comes with a next big leap, and to pass the baton to the next president who will be able to build upon our accomplishments and create a new chapter for this extraordinary institution.”
During her time at USC, Folt launched a number of initiatives including a $1 billion investment in Frontiers of Computing and USC’s new School of Advanced Computing, Health Sciences 3.0, Athletics Reimagined, Sustainable Urban Futures and USC Competes.
She also opened a Capital Campus in Washington, D.C.
“Carol’s leadership skills, and her innate ability to connect with community members on a personal level, have been on display throughout her tenure, and we are grateful for her commitment to our entire Trojan Family: students, faculty, staff, alumni and our broader university community,” Suzanne Nora Johnson, chair of the USC Board of Trustees, said in a statement.
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In other education news, Monte E. Perez has been named the interim president of East Los Angeles College. He previously served as president of Los Angeles Mission College for a decade and a leader at Fullerton College.
“I am honored to once again serve the LACCD community, following a decade at L.A. Mission College, as ELAC’s interim president,” Perez said in a statement.
While at Mission College, Perez established a President’s Community Advisory Committee, developed partnerships with the county and secured more than $20 million in grants. He also previously served as the president of Moreno Valley College where he secured $10 million in funding.
