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UNC Chancellor Carol Folt announced her decision to step down from her position at the end of the academic year, on Monday, Jan. 14.
Just two months after resigning as UNC-Chapel Hill’s Chancellor, Carol Folt was announced as the next president of the University of Southern California, becoming the first female president in USC’s history.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the USC board members selected Folt unanimously after interviewing more than 100 candidates. Over several months, candidates with backgrounds in business, academics and non-profits were considered.
“Dr. Folt stood out from the very beginning as a courageous and compassionate person who always places the well-being of students, faculty, staff and patients at the heart of all she does,” Board Chairman Rick Caruso said, according to the Los Angeles Times.
According to The News & Observer, Folt heads to the university amidst multiple scandals at USC. These include multiple sexual assault charges against a gynecologist on campus and the recent college admissions scandal, which involved charges against several USC coaches and an athletics administrator last week.
“I am aware that our community is deeply troubled by a number of immediate challenges,” Folt said in an interview with the LA Times. “I assure you that we will meet these challenges together, directly, decisively and with honesty and candor.”
Folt will assume her new position on July 1, 2019.