AEF Honoring Dr. C. L. Max Nikias

Armenian Educational Foundation to Honor Dr. C. L. Max Nikias with Excellence in Education Award at 75th Anniversary Gala

Dr. C. L. Max Nikias

The Armenian Educational Foundation will honor Dr. Chrysostomos L. Max Nikias, President Emeritus and Life Trustee of the University of Southern California, with its prestigious Excellence in Education Award at the 75th Anniversary Gala. The event will take place at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel on September 7, 2025, celebrating AEF’s enduring commitment to Armenian education and cultural heritage.

Dr. Nikias, an internationally recognized academic leader, served as the 11th President of USC from 2010 to 2018. He joined USC in 1991, holding multiple distinguished roles, including founding director of the Integrated Media Systems Center, Dean of the Viterbi School of Engineering, Provost, and ultimately President of the university. Under Dr. Nikias’s visionary leadership, USC emerged as a global research university with an academically-elite status.

One of Dr. Nikias’s most significant contributions to the Armenian community was the establishment of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies during his tenure as Provost and Executive Vice President. Since its establishment in 2005, the Institute has become an academic and cultural beacon, fostering scholarship, education, and awareness of Armenian history, culture and contemporary issues. Dr. Nikias’s support was pivotal in positioning the Institute as a critical center for Armenian research and dialogue, solidifying USC’s relationship with the Armenian community both locally and abroad.

Dr. Nikias has further contributed to Armenian historical awareness through the USC Shoah Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving genocide survivor testimonies and promoting education to prevent mass violence. Under his presidency, Shoah expanded its Visual History Archive to include testimonies from Armenian Genocide survivors. Through his support, it also established the Center for Advanced Genocide Research, focusing on the interdisciplinary study and prevention of genocide. Additionally, the Shoah Foundation collaborated with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan, Armenia, allowing for shared access to resources and joint research programs. 

Dr. Nikias’s ongoing leadership and active engagement have significantly enriched Armenian educational programs and fostered meaningful cultural exchange. His participation as a keynote speaker at the World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT) held in Yerevan in October 2024, highlighted his personal commitment through visits to Armenia and engagement with local cultural and academic leaders.

For gala tickets and sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://www.aef.org/ or contact aef@aefweb.org.