University of Southern California

Office of the President

C. L. Max Nikias

USC’s 11th president, C. L. Max Nikias is an accomplished scholar and innovator whose 21 years at USC have been characterized by vision and a talent for seeing and seizing opportunities. From his creation of a multimedia research center and his energetic tenure as dean of engineering, to the pacesetting initiatives he set in motion as USC’s provost, he has helped propel USC toward its goal of becoming one of the most productive and influential research universities in the world.
Read more about President Nikias

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Mrs. Niki C. Nikias, center, accompanied by USC Alumni Association President Ramona Capello, center left.
USC Trustee Edward P. Roski, Jr.; Gayle Garner Roski; Julie Mork; USC Trustee John Mork (chairman); Niki C. Nikias; USC President C. L. Max Nikias.
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From the Office of the President

An Evening in Ancient Troy

Topics: News

C. L. Max Nikias and MFA student cast of The Trojan Women

USC President C. L. Max Nikias and Mrs. Niki C. Nikias met with MFA acting students during a spring performance of the Greek tragedy, The Trojan Women. The modern retelling, directed by USC School of Dramatic Arts faculty member David Bridel, combines movement, music and original text to create a contemporary work that showcases the graduating MFA acting class of 2014. The selection of the work is of direct scholarly interest to President Nikias, who holds an appointment in classics at the university, in addition to his appointment in engineering.

Alumna Jackie Lacey highlights USC Gould School of Law fundraising kickoff

Topics: News

USC President C. L. Max Nikias, Mrs. Niki C. Nikias, alumna Jackie Lacey '82, alumnus Dickran Tevrizian '65.

USC President C. L. Max Nikias, Mrs. Niki C. Nikias, Jackie Lacey ’82, Dickran Tevrizian ’65.

Luminaries from the legal profession, including Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey ’82, gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 6 as the USC Gould School of Law kicked off its $150 million fundraising initiative. The gala event drew more than 200 friends, alumni, administrators, faculty and student leaders to the historic Vibiana in Los Angeles.

Rasmussen, Garrett, Lacey, Doran, Nikias

USC Gould School of Law celebrated its history and planned for its future at a kickoff for its $150 million fundraising campaign. From left to right: Dean Robert K. Rasmussen, Provost Elizabeth Garrett, LA County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, USC Gould School of Law Board of Councilors chair Ken Doran, and USC President C. L. Max Nikias.

USC President C. L. Max Nikias opened the evening’s festivities by pointing to the law school’s stellar reputation and commitment to legal innovation.

“With some of the best minds in the legal profession and some of the top experts in nearly every legal specialty, the USC Gould School of Law has an impressive reputation that makes it consistently among the finest in the nation,” Nikias said. “If you look at America’s most prominent law firms, you will find that many of the important positions of leadership are occupied by Trojans. And that makes all of us at USC very proud.”

Read the complete article at USC News.

Continuing the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Topics: News, Uncategorized

Patrick Soon-Shiong, C. L. Max Nikias, Mark RIdley-Thomasll

Patrick Soon-Shiong, M.D., USC President C.L. Max Nikias and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas talk during the 22nd Empowerment Congress Summit at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, January 18, 2014. (Photo: USC / Gus Ruelas)

As the 2014 year began, USC hosted key events that celebrate the ongoing legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The 22nd annual Empowerment Congress, chaired by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, brought together stakeholders from civic organizations, faith-based organizations, private businesses, and community-based organizations to identify issues of justice and equality in Los Angeles. At another event on campus during the national holiday weekend, the law enforcement community came together for the 5th annual Los Angeles Police Department Martin Luther King Breakfast, with a special address by California Attorney General Kamala Harris.

Nikias, Beck, Harris, Baca

(left to right) USC President C.L. Max Nikias, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck California, Attorney General Kamala Harris and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca during the Los Angeles Police Department 5th annual Martin Luther King Breakfast at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, January 18, 2014. (Photo: USC / Gus Ruelas)

Presidential priorities

  • Transforming USC into a major hub of the emerging Age of the Pacific—by creating trans-Pacific alliances, by fully utilizing Los Angeles as a laboratory for trans-Pacific research, education and culture, and by building the foremost network of Pacific leaders.

  • Ensuring that the USC academic community serves as a key engine of intellectual, economic and cultural progress for the nation, and allowing its vast array of disciplines to be combined creatively in order to catalyze new knowledge and innovation.

  • Ensuring that USC promotes imagination and invention by creating a living and learning environment in which the university’s undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty are fluent in a wide variety of intellectual areas, ranging from classical literary works to the latest digital technologies.

  • Serving the neighborhoods around our two campuses through job creation and quality k-12 education. Further strengthening the legendary traditions of the Trojan Family.

  • Leading USC during the most ambitious fundraising campaign ever announced by an American university. This historic endeavor will raise $6 billion to support USC's faculty and students, as well as its academic priorities, capital projects, and essential infrastructure.