USC announced Wednesday morning that Dr. Carol Kim will join the university as vice president for enrollment management. Starting in February, Kim will oversee USC’s enrollment strategy and student access initiatives. She currently leads as VP of global recruitment, admissions, and financial aid at New York University.
Kim’s global background could influence how USC recruits and supports international students, particularly as the university continues to position itself as a global institution. With experience building cross-border partnerships and overseeing admissions across NYU’s several international campuses, Kim brings a perspective that can further diversify USC’s student body and expand its global reach.
At NYU, Kim oversees 120,000 applications annually and manages a $500M financial aid budget, according to an announcement from Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew T. Guzman. She also successfully developed the NYU Promise for tuition-free education for families earning under $100K annually. Her prior experiences included executive roles at The New School, a private research university in New York City and at CalArts in Santa Clarita, California.
Stepping down will be Timothy Brunold, who has served as USC’s interim vice president for enrollment management since 2023. Brunold, who also serves as Dean of Admission, will continue in his role while advising the provost during the transition.
Annenberg Media reached out to the search advisory committee co-chairs for comment on the qualities and priorities that guided the committee’s decision. Reporters were directed to a press release issued by the provost’s office on Wednesday. In it, Guzman acknowledged Dr. Kim’s visionary approach to enrollment and innovative recruitment and financial aid models.
Kim’s global perspective and focus on access align with USC’s stated goal of balancing academic excellence with affordability. While it remains to be seen how Kim’s vision will take shape at USC, students and faculty can expect her to emphasize inclusion, innovation, and global reach.
This is a developing story.