Andrew T. Guzman, dean of the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, was promoted to USC’s next provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

As provost, Guzman, who will also hold the Shelly and Ofer Nemirovsky provost’s chair, will become USC’s second-highest-ranking official and the chief academic officer responsible for ensuring the university’s excellence in teaching, research and scholarship, USC President Carol L. Folt announced Tuesday.