Sacramento State President Alexander Gonzalez announced Wednesday Dr. Charles Gossett has been named interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

Gossett, dean of the college of social science and interdisciplinary studies since fall 2009, will take over for Provost Joseph Sheley on June 1. Sheley’s term as interim president at CSU Stanislaus will begin June 11. The interim appointment will be in effect for one year.

Gossett spent seven years prior to his Sac State position as chair of political science at Cal Poly Pomona. He also served as a Fulbright Scholar at the Centre for the Study of HIV and AIDS at the University of Botswana.

Gossett earned his bachelor’s degree from Hope College in Michigan and his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Stanford University.

“Dr. Gossett’s wide array of experience will allow him to serve our students and campus with distinction as interim provost,” President Gonzalez said. “He has been an educator in the CSU, established a research and teaching institution in Africa and worked in our nation’s capital. During his years at Sacramento State, he has provided steadfast leadership as a college dean and shown remarkable dedication to our academic mission.”