Wanda M. Austin

Wanda M. Austin served as Interim President of the University of Southern California from August 2018 until July 2019. Dr. Austin is the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of The Aerospace Corporation, a leading architect of the United States' national security space programs, where she served from 2008 until her retirement in 2016. From 2004 to 2007, Dr. Austin was Senior Vice President, National Systems Group of The Aerospace Corporation. Dr. Austin joined The Aerospace Corporation in 1979 and served in various positions from 1979 until 2004.

Dr. Austin has served as an Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering since 2007. She is the co-founder of MakingSpace Inc., where she serves as a motivational speaker on STEM education. Dr. Austin has been a director of Chevron Corporation, a petroleum, exploration, production and refining company, since 2016, serving on its Board Nominating and Governance Committee and chairing its Public Policy Committee. Dr. Austin is a trustee of the University of Southern California and previously served on the boards of directors of the National Geographic Society and the Space Foundation. Dr. Austin received an undergraduate degree from Franklin & Marshall College, a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate from the University of Southern California. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.