Carol Folt

Carol Folt is an American academic administrator and biologist who has served as the 12th president of the University of Southern California since 2019. She previously served as the 11th chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2013 to 2019, where she was the first woman to hold the position permanently. Folt's career is distinguished by her leadership in higher education, her research in aquatic ecology and environmental toxicology, and her focus on expanding university access and addressing complex campus issues.

Early life and education

Born in Los Angeles, California, Carol Folt earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Marine biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She then pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Davis, where she received both a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology. Her doctoral research focused on the effects of heavy metal contamination on aquatic organisms, laying the groundwork for her future scientific contributions. This academic foundation at prominent institutions within the University of California system established her expertise in Environmental science.

Academic career

Folt began her academic career as a Postdoctoral researcher at the W. K. Kellogg Biological Station of Michigan State University. She joined the faculty at Dartmouth College in 1983 as an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, rising through the ranks to become a full professor. At Dartmouth, she served as chair of the Department of Biological Sciences and later as dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Her research, funded by agencies like the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency, examined food web dynamics and mercury bioaccumulation in lakes and rivers. She was also elected a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Presidency of the University of Southern California

Carol Folt assumed the presidency of the University of Southern California in 2019, succeeding interim president Wanda Austin. Her tenure began during a period of significant challenge following the Varsity Blues admissions scandal and controversies surrounding the USC Keck School of Medicine. Key initiatives have included the launch of the "USC Frontiers of Computing" initiative, a major expansion of computing education and research, and overseeing the development of the USC Village. She has also focused on enhancing financial aid, advancing sustainability goals, and strengthening the university's community engagement in Los Angeles.

Leadership at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Folt served as chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 2013 to 2019. Her leadership was marked by the launch of the "Carolina Next" strategic framework and a focus on innovation in undergraduate education. She navigated several high-profile issues, including the contentious debate over the Silent Sam Confederate monument, which she ordered removed from campus in 2018. During her chancellorship, UNC-Chapel Hill consistently ranked highly in publications like U.S. News & World Report and saw significant growth in philanthropic support and research funding.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Carol Folt has received numerous recognitions for her scientific and leadership contributions. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and has received awards such as the Chrysler Corporation Award for innovation in teaching. She has been awarded honorary degrees from institutions including Dartmouth College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her service on boards includes the Association of American Universities and the Los Angeles Coalition for the Economy & Jobs.

Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:University of Southern California presidents Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill chancellors Category:American women biologists Category:People from Los Angeles