The Penn State Office of Undergraduate Education will have new leadership as Jeff Adams steps into the role of interim vice provost and dean beginning July 1.

The announcement comes after Yvonne Gaudelius’ departure and return to Penn State’s staff as a faculty member in the School of Visual Arts in May. A search for a replacement to permanently succeed Gaudelius will begin this year.

“It is humbling to take on this role, and I am excited to continue working with my outstanding colleagues in Undergraduate Education, and to increased engagement with leadership across Penn State as we collectively enhance teaching and learning at Penn State and help prepare our students for lifelong success,” Adams said in a release Monday.

Adams is expected to head the unit’s leadership of 14 university-wide offices and programs, including the Division of Undergraduate Studies, Office of Summer Session, and Penn State’s NSO programs, to name a few.

In addition to his responsibilities over its university offices, as dean of undergraduate education, Adams will also help lead the Administrative Council on Undergraduate Education (ACUE). The ACUE advises the executive vice president and provost, academic deans of the colleges, and the University Libraries, among others, on matters affecting undergraduate education. The council works with the University Faculty Senate to design policies to support undergraduate education goals and objectives.

Prior to landing in Happy Valley, Adams served in leadership roles as associate provost for academic administration at Millersville University of Pennsylvania and as an associate professor of physics at Montana State University.

“I am grateful that we have an experienced leader and teacher in Dr. Adams, who is stepping into this role to lead the diverse units of Undergraduate Education and efforts to support undergraduates University-wide,” Executive Vice President and Provost Justin Schwartz said.

Adams earned his doctorate in physics, a bachelor of science in engineering physics, and a bachelor of education in mathematics and physics from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada.