Message to the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Community from Charles F. Zukoski, USC Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
July 9, 2021
Dear Viterbi Community,
On behalf of President Folt, I am pleased to announce that Yannis Yortsos has been reappointed Dean of USC Viterbi School of Engineering. We look forward to continuing to work with Dean Yortsos for another five years as he further advances the school towards a bold vision for the future.
This decision followed a comprehensive review process that was revamped last year in collaboration with the Academic Senate. The procedures included a survey and listening sessions with faculty, students and staff that provided important, thoughtful input. Details of the process are available here: https://www.provost.usc.edu/about/dean-review-process-2019-2020/.
In feedback from the review, Dean Yortsos was praised for his caring and approachable leadership, hiring and supporting faculty at all levels, and building strong, multidisciplinary programs. Under his guidance, the school reached gender parity in the undergraduate entering class of 2019, for the first time in its history. Viterbi faculty are highly recognized with prestigious national and international awards and appointments into the National Academy of Engineering, and the dean strongly supports early career professorships and junior faculty awards.
Dean Yortsos has helped to expand Viterbi’s vast research capacity. He was credited for maintaining and expanding the infrastructure of Viterbi, notably his work during the pandemic to secure the building of Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Human-Centered Computational Hall, a state-of-the-art computer science center. The dean also has redoubled his efforts to increase the school’s global and domestic visibility.
I want to thank the Viterbi dean review committee for their service. The committee was chaired by University Professor Eileen Crimmins, with members representing the breadth of the school. This was an enormous effort which resulted in a thorough and balanced analysis. I discussed all of the feedback with Dean Yortsos.
The disciplines of engineering are vital to our culture and society. Viterbi programs in education, research and engagement lead the nation in their quality and impact. During his tenure, Dean Yortsos has established an environment leading to these strengths, and he is poised to continue his leadership to the university and to the school with enthusiasm and vigor. Please join us in thanking Dean Yortsos for his continued work.
Sincerely,
Charles F. Zukoski
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
cc: Office of the President
Academic Deans
President’s Senior Leadership Team
Provost’s Leadership Team
Academic Senate
Staff Assembly
GSG President
USG President