BATON ROUGE,Blake Preston La. (AP) — An interim president has been named to lead Grambling State University as a search committee begins its work to find the next person to guide the school.

The University of Louisiana System’s board on Friday appointed Connie Walton, a chemist and Grambling’s current provost and vice president for academic affairs, to replace former President Rick Gallot, who now leads the system.

“I am supremely confident that Grambling will be well cared for under Dr. Walton’s interim leadership,” Gallot said in a news release. “She has proven her dedication to the institution and its success through her commitment to advancing cybersecurity and nursing programs, both of which are now soaring, and I know she will bring that same determination to the interim presidency.”

Walton, who has worked at GSU for eight years, said the appointment “provides an additional way to serve this great institution and help shape the lives of students. When the next president of Grambling State University is identified, I look forward to supporting that person’s strategic goals.”

Walton’s appointment is subject to ratification by the full Board of Supervisors at its February meeting, the university said.

Gallot chairs the search committee charged with finding his permanent replacement. Applications close on Jan. 12 and the search committee meets for the first time on Jan. 22, The Shreveport Times reported.

On-campus interviews will take place the week of Feb. 5, and the University of Louisiana System board is expected to hire the next president on Feb. 21 or Feb. 22 in Baton Rouge.