David Madigan, a seasoned statistician and former provost of Northeastern University, has been appointed as the chief academic officer at the University of Southern California (USC). He aims to establish the university as a frontrunner in regaining American trust in higher education while also addressing the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI).

Madigan, aged 63, will officially assume his role as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs on October 13. This marks a significant academic appointment for President Beong-Soo Kim, who is in his first year of leadership at USC.

USC is navigating through a recovery from a financial crisis while dealing with a faculty union drive and facing political and funding pressures from the Trump administration. These challenges come at a time when AI is transforming education and research.

I really believe in the power of the great American research universities. Somehow, we’ve lost our way a little bit. Madigan stated in an interview.

He highlighted the pre-existing decline in public trust in universities, exacerbated by recent federal cuts in higher education funding. USC, he noted, is well-positioned to tackle this issue as it is unafraid of change.

President Kim remarked that Madigan brings essential experience and leadership to enhance USC’s strengths and contribute to shaping its academic mission and future.

Madigan will manage 18 schools and academic units, as well as student life, libraries, and enrollment services. Gregg Goldman, the executive vice president for finance and operations since June, oversees the budget staff.

Madigan plans to operate with transparency and authenticity. He emphasized that universities are not profit-driven entities like corporations. Rather, USC should communicate clearly with its community about all types of news, from financial updates to strategic developments.

USC recently faced financial difficulties resulting in a deficit of over $200 million last year. Measures to address this included hiring freezes, laying off approximately 1,000 employees, eliminating merit raises, selling unused buildings, and cutting discretionary spending. These efforts continue, with recent layoffs occurring at the Viterbi School of Engineering.

Approximately 70% of non-tenure-track faculty voted to unionize under United Faculty-UAW, intending to represent roughly 2,700 lecturers, researchers, librarians, and pharmacists. USC has challenged the result, contending that these faculty members possess management rights through shared governance.

USC, along with other research universities, faces challenges under the Trump administration, including research funding cuts and pressures to eliminate diversity programs. USC chose not to sign a White House compact that required caps on international undergraduate enrollment and a freeze on tuition fees.

AI is a significant focus for USC. In May, trustee Mark Stevens and his wife, Mary, contributed $200 million to integrate AI across diverse fields such as medicine and the arts. This fall, the Viterbi School introduced USC’s first undergraduate AI degree.

AI is completely transforming the research process, Madigan said, highlighting AI’s impact on personalized learning.

Originally from Ireland, Madigan holds a mathematics degree and a doctorate in statistics from Trinity College Dublin. His professional experience includes roles in insurance and technology consulting, and his research covers Bayesian statistics and drug safety. He has taught at the University of Washington and Rutgers University, and served as dean at Columbia University.

As Northeastern University’s provost from 2020 to 2025, Madigan oversaw the academic and research operations, managed pandemic reopening, and facilitated acquisitions of institutions. He also served as a professor and presidential adviser at Northeastern prior to joining USC.

At USC, Madigan will hold the Shelly and Ofer Nemirovsky Provost’s Chair and join both the Marshall School of Business and the Keck School of Medicine with joint roles in public health sciences and mathematics. His time at Northeastern included dealing with campus protests, which sometimes led to tension with faculty.

Madigan emphasized the importance of academic freedom and free speech, acknowledging that while idea expression may be uncomfortable, harassment and disruption are problematic.

He succeeds Andrew Guzman, who is returning to the Gould School of Law. Guzman, a past dean and provost since 2023, was commended for his efforts during financially challenging times.

Additionally, USC announced the permanent appointment of Megan Jordan as chief communications officer. Jordan, a USC alumna, has been serving in this role in an interim capacity since January.