Jane Close Conoley has been selected as interim chancellor at UC Riverside, UC officials announced on Nov. 20.

Conoley, who currently serves as dean of the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education at UC Santa Barbara, will begin as head of UC Riverside Dec. 31, the day after outgoing chancellor Timothy White is planning to step down. She will serve in the post until a permanent successor for White is found.

“Conoley is an established leader and scholar who cares deeply about providing access to opportunity for those who aspire to higher education,” said UC President Mark Yudof, who made the selection, in a press release. “We’re very pleased that she has agreed to serve the UC Riverside community in this vital role.”

Conoley is a psychologist by training and came to UC Santa Barbara in 2006 after heading an education program at Texas A&M University for 10 years. When she begins serving at UC Riverside, she will replace White, who is leaving the campus to become the chancellor of the California State University system at the end of December.

In a statement, White said he was pleased that Conoley would serve as interim chancellor.

“She has a keen interest in advancing UCR’s strategic goals, supporting our students and engaging with our community,” he said. “Her combination of experience and enthusiasm will serve UCR well during this time of transitional leadership.”

The UC Board of Regents is expected to approve Conoley’s appointment at a special meeting this week. The board is also expected to confirm UC Berkeley Chancellor-designate Nicholas Dirks Tuesday.

Dirks’ pending appointment as UC Berkeley’s 10th chancellor was announced Nov. 8. His appointment is expected to be confirmed by the UC Board of Regents in a special meeting on Tuesday. If confirmed, Dirks will take office on campus June 1, 2013.