UCSB’s Dean of the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, Jane Close Conoley, was appointed acting chancellor of UC Riverside by the UC Board of Regents on Tuesday.

Conoley will take over the position on Dec. 31 after current chancellor Timothy White steps down to become the chancellor of the entire California State University system. Conoley plans to serve as chancellor of UC Riverside until a permanent replacement for White is found, at which point she will return to her post as dean of the Gevirtz School. The UC Board of Regents also confirmed UC Berkeley Chancellor-designate, Nicholas Dirks, as the school’s newest chancellor at the meeting.

Conoley has worked as dean and professor of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology at UCSB’s Gevirtz School since January 2006. Before joining the Gaucho faculty, she held teaching positions at institu- tions of higher education since 1975 and developed a strong background in both teaching and administration. Prior to her move to UCSB, Conoley worked as dean and professor of Educational Psychology at the College of Education and Human Development at Texas AM University from 1996 through 2005. Conoley also served as Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology at

the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and has worked at the Texas Woman’s University, Syracuse University and the University of Texas at Austin. She has authored or edited over 20 books and has written countless articles and book chapters.

In a statement made in the press release announcing Conoley’s approval, UC President Mark G. Yudof said he has faith in Conoley’s abilities as a leader in education.

“Jane Close Conoley has long been a nationally rec- ognized education expert, and she is a treasured member of the UC community,” Yudof said. “With her serving in this interim role, I am confident that the Riverside cam- pus will keep moving forward on several fronts, especially student success.”

Conoley will receive an annual salary of $245,600 as compared to Chancellor White’s salary of $325,000, along with an annual auto allowance of $8,916 and an on- campus home. While Conoley will not officially begin her duties as chancellor until Dec. 31, her new salary will be enforced immediately, as it is anticipated that she will spend the coming month transitioning into her new role.

As chancellor, Conoley will have to deal with funding and budgeting issues, especially concerning the opening of UC Riverside’s new medical school. Conoley’s hus- band, Collie Conoley, will remain at UCSB as a professor of psychology and as director of the Carol Ackerman Positive Psychology Clinic.