The state board of regents appointed Elizabeth Hitch as the interim president of Utah Valley University on Thursday.

Hitch, who is UVU's current vice president of academic affairs, will take the place of the current president, William Sederburg.

Sederburg was named the state commissioner of higher education last week and leaves the university in August. Hitch will assume his duties, his office and his salary at that time.

Hitch has been at the university since July 1, 2007. Before going to UVU she was provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs and a professor at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She also served eight months as interim chancellor.

"Liz is wonderful. She'll do magnificently in the role. She's already been an interim president once," said UVU Vice President Val Hale.

All of UVU's goals for the future will continue while Hitch is interim president.

"At UVU, we have a clear plan and vision for the future based upon our model for engaged learning," Hitch said in a news release. "We're not going to miss a beat as we work on the strategic directions that have been endorsed by university faculty and staff, the trustees and our community partners."

Former UVSC interim president and current associate commissioner for the Utah System of Higher Education Lucille Stoddard said Hitch will do well because she is already part of the UVU family. Students shouldn't even notice a difference.

"Faculty go right on teaching and students go right on learning," Stoddard said.

Hitch said she is not planning on assuming the job permanently.

"I'm not a candidate for the position. My heart is in academic affairs," she said.

The search for a new president will be co-chaired by regents Marlon Snow and Jack Zenger, assisted by regent vice chairwoman Bonnie Jean Beesley and regent Joel Wright.

The search committee will also include representatives of the UVU board of trustees, faculty, staff, students and members of the community. The names of the rest of the committee will be announced later.

• Brittani Lusk can be reached at 344-2549 or at blusk@heraldextra.com.