By Dr. Randall W. Hill, Jr, Vice Dean, Viterbi School of Engineering, Omar B. Milligan Professor in Computer Science (Games and Interactive Media), Executive Director, ICT
It is with deep gratitude and warm wishes that we share the news that Lila Brooks is departing the USC Institute for Creative Technologies to begin an exciting new chapter at Howard University. While we are sorry to see her go, we’re incredibly proud of her continued rise as a leader in the higher education and research community.
Lila has served ICT with distinction since 1999 (apart from a stint as Director of Operations at Keck School of Medicine of USC), as one of our first employees. Her tenure has been marked by resilience, growth, and a steadfast dedication to the mission and people of ICT. Behind the scenes of every groundbreaking research win, every new facility buildout, and every successful contract negotiation, Lila’s expertise and diligence played a crucial role.
She arrived at ICT with a clear sense of purpose. Her strong background in compliance, research administration, and university operations gave her an immediate edge in navigating the complexities of a federally funded research institute like ICT.
What we came to value just as much — if not more — was her ability to lead with integrity, humility, and a commitment to service. Lila quickly became a trusted voice at the leadership table, offering clarity, strategy, and always a grounding sense of calm during times of rapid change.
In August 2024, when she was promoted to Chief Business and Financial Officer, it was both a recognition of her capability and a call to action. That was a transformative period at ICT: new projects were being funded, hybrid operations were still taking shape, and expectations from our sponsors and the university alike were rising. Lila stepped into that moment not only to manage resources but to guide the organization toward long-term sustainability and smarter business practices.
One of her most visible achievements was the modernization of our financial systems and business operations. She brought structure to our contracting processes, overhauled internal workflows, and worked closely with ICT’s research leadership to align funding, staffing, and lab needs more transparently and efficiently. That kind of institutional stewardship is often invisible but foundational — and Lila delivered it with grace.
She also led with empathy. Her commitment to mentorship was evident to many who worked closely with her, whether staff, faculty, or students. She brought a collaborative spirit to problem-solving, even when the problems were complex and the timelines tight. That human-centered approach — rare in financial and administrative leadership — made her a valued colleague across departments.
We are thrilled to see her talents recognized on a national level and at an institution as distinguished as Howard. We are confident she will make a lasting impact there, just as she did at ICT.
Transitions like these are always bittersweet. Lila leaves behind a legacy of smarter systems, stronger compliance, and a team that is better equipped to serve the ambitious research and innovation goals that define ICT. But more than that, she leaves behind a reputation for professionalism, perseverance, and principled service — and that is something we will carry forward with us.
On behalf of the entire Institute, I want to thank Lila Brooks for her years of service, her quiet but impactful leadership, and her unwavering dedication to ICT. We wish her all the success and fulfillment in her new role and hope she looks back at her time with us with pride.
The doors at ICT will always be open to her, and the friendships she built here will long outlast any job title. Congratulations, Lila — we’ll be cheering you on from Los Angeles.
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