USC

Details are scarce as Provost Zukoski abruptly steps down on the day before Thanksgiving Break.

Executive Vice Provost Elizabeth Graddy will succeed Zukoski as provost.

A selection of photos from the photo story "PHOTOS: USC community confronts assaults in Greek life."

USC’s Provost Charles Zukoski speaks with faculty and students at a faculty-organized “Save Our Students” protest on Oct. 29. The “SOS” protest gathered in front of Bovard Auditorium on the USC University Park Campus. (Photo by Yannick Peterhans)

By Lyla Bhalla-Ladd and Ben Cohen

Charles Zukoski will be stepping down from his post as provost for unspecified reasons, President Carol Folt announced on November 22 in an email.

Folt notified the community of Zukoski’s departure in an email from We Are SC the day before Thanksgiving that many, but not all, students received.

USC declined to comment with further details to Annenberg Media, specifically about why the email was not sent to all students, why it was announced the day before the break, or the reason behind Zukoski’s departure.

The resignation is effective January 1, 2023, meaning Zukoski will step down before the end of the academic year.

Zukoski, who will continue to report to Folt until his resignation, “supervises all academic programs and support functions, faculty affairs (including recruiting, promotion and tenure), student academic affairs, and academic planning” and handles admissions as acting Provost, according to the Provost webpage.

Zukoski will take a leave of absence and then return to teaching at the Viterbi School of Engineering. Folt’s statement did not provide details concerning the length or reason for his leave of absence.

In past cases of high ranking faculty departures, such as Winston Crisp, Dr. Jack H. Knott, and Carmen Puliaftio, their letters provided explanations for their leaves, such as health reasons or other career opportunities.

Other departures such as Laura Mosqueda, former Dean of Keck School of Medicine, and Max Nikias, former USC president did not include causes for leaving.

Folt called the transition period “an exciting time of growth and innovation at USC” in the announcement.