President
USC
Folt is the first woman to hold the title of president at the University of Southern California. As the 12th president of the university, she had a long career in biology before entering academics. Folt received her bachelor’s degree in aquatic biology and a master’s degree in biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She went on to earn her doctorate in ecology from UC Davis. As a scientist, her studies on the effects of dietary mercury and arsenic helped change global policies on how much of each substance is advised to consume. Her career in academics involves being the interim president at Dartmouth College, as well as the provost, dean of faculty and professor of biological sciences. She also served as the chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill.Â
YEARS ON LA500: 7
