Miki Turner, a professor of professional practice of journalism, was walking her dog when a notification sounded on her phone announcing that Beong-Soo Kim was unanimously elected as USC’s 13th president. In response, she said she “literally started dancing in the streets.”

Turner, a professor of professional practice of journalism and a member-at-large of the Academic Senate, expressed hope for Kim’s presidency after what she called an “unprecedented” level of transparency between himself and the USC community during his roughly seven months as interim president.

“I was just so thrilled for him, just so pleased that he’s getting this opportunity,” Turner said. “I really think that he is going to be the visionary leader that we need at this point in time for this University.”

Turner said she is not alone, as positive reactions appear to be sweeping campus after Kim’s election was announced Wednesday. Graduate Student Government and Undergraduate Student Government leadership had positive reactions and expressed excitement about USC’s future under the leadership of Kim.

Janielle Cuala, president of GSG, said she has had positive interactions with Kim often, so she is very excited about his new role.

“Anytime I’m in the audience, everyone loves him, and everyone was hoping that this day would come,” Cuala said. “I’m excited, but I can feel the excitement from not only the students, but from the faculty, staff and the trustees.”

Cuala also said that she is excited for President Kim’s commitment to continuing open dialogue, as he brought in different points of view to discuss the Trump administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The compact was opposed by multiple campus organizations, including the International Student Association and the GSG, and was later rejected by Kim.

“He will go talk to everyone and have an open dialogue, no matter what viewpoint it is, because in order to move forward with these difficult things that are kind of unprecedented, we need a viewpoint diversity,” Cuala said.

One of Kim’s biggest measures thus far is the Open Dialogue Project, an initiative aiming to enhance freedom of expression on campus by holding forums where students can discuss controversial topics that began last fall. 

Mikaela Bautista, USG president, said she was excited to find out that Kim was elected president and appreciated the work he completed as interim president and his willingness to collaborate with her and USG vice president Emma Fallon.

“[Fallon] and I look forward to introducing the incoming USG leadership to President Kim, so that we can continue that rapport that we have developed this year,” Bautista said. “I really commend President Kim for being so open to the concerns that Emma and I bring up.”

Bautista said now that Kim is the University’s permanent president, she is excited to see how his initiatives of championing diverse viewpoints and setting up safe spaces to have conversations about issues in the world will continue through the Open Dialogue Project. She praised the ways in which Kim has engaged with the USC community, such as staying connected through attending events on campus.

“I’ve heard firsthand experiences from so many people about his amazing memory and how he is able to remember the faces of the Trojans that he meets,” Bautista said. “That’s another thing that I’m excited to see continue.”

The son of two Korean immigrants who both attended graduate school at USC, Kim is the first Asian American and the second person of color to serve as the University’s president.

Cuala said seeing an Asian president at USC is inspiring and said she takes inspiration from the way he leads through making everyone both inside and outside the USC community feel seen. 

“He always starts with the mission statement. That’s how I start most of my meetings,” Cuala said. 

Multiple USC administrators, professors and community members shared statements celebrating Kim’s appointment, which were posted on USC’s website. Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism Dean Willow Bay, School of Cinematic Arts Dean Elizabeth Daley, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Dean James Bullock, and Senior Vice President for Health Affairs Steven Shapiro were among those to share their support.

“President Kim is that rare mix of a listener and a fighter who believes in our core mission: learning, teaching and creating to make a better world,” wrote Jacob Soll, professor of philosophy, history and accounting, in the shared statements.