Wanda M. Austin
University of Southern California’s interim president, 2018-2019
About Dr. Wanda M. Austin
Dr. Wanda M. Austin was appointed interim president of the University of Southern California by the Board of Trustees on August 7, 2018, and served in her leadership role through June 30, 2019.
Austin is an American businesswoman who is internationally recognized for her work in aeronautics and systems engineering. She is co-founder of MakingSpace Inc., a systems engineering and leadership development consultant and motivational speaker.
She is the former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corp., an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the application of science and technology toward critical issues affecting the nation’s space program. From January 2008 until October 2016, Austin led the organization’s 3,600 employees and managed annual revenues of $950 million at 17 offices nationwide. As the sixth president, she was the first female and the first African American president in the 57-year history of the organization.
USC News Archive Highlights
Wanda Austin, engineer and businesswoman, named USC interim president
A USC trustee and alumna, she is internationally recognized for her work in aeronautics and leadership development.
Meet Wanda Austin, the first woman and African-American to lead USC
The USC alumna and trustee talks about the challenges and opportunities ahead for the university, her plans as interim president, and a lifetime of breaking through barriers — but don’t call her a “pioneer”
A Trojan Welcome From USC Interim President Wanda Austin
As a dedicated member of the Trojan Family, the longtime USC trustee believes in the USC community’s ability to withstand and transcend challenges.
USC’s space connections in full force at First Man preview, discussion
Trojan Neil Armstrong’s historic moon landing is discussed by USC’s interim president (a former aerospace executive), a USC trustee who once led NASA and a former astronaut who’s now a USC Viterbi faculty member.
USC State of the University: ‘I really believe this is a defining moment’
In the president’s annual address, Wanda M. Austin praises staff and faculty accomplishments and calls for USC to cultivate a community that works together
Wanda M. Austin: ‘You will always be shining stars of the Trojan Family’
In her commencement address, the interim USC president reminds the Class of 2019 that they have the power to change the world.
Reflecting on a Year of Healing and Change at USC
“I was determined to leave things better than I found them,” says Wanda Austin, who transfers leadership to Carol L. Folt in July.
USC Board of Trustees honors Wanda Austin’s leadership as interim president
University leaders recognize the aerospace and systems engineer for guiding USC through a tumultuous year and create an endowed scholarship in her honor.