The leadership of the University of Nebraska College of Law is adjusting to the appointment of its dean to fill-in after a top university official left for a new job.

Richard Moberly, dean of the Nebraska College of Law, assumed the role of interim executive vice chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Saturday. He replaces Donde Plowman, who left Nebraska to become the chancellor of the University of Tennessee.

“Richard is widely respected on campus and across higher education,” UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green said. “He understands our university and is an experienced and decisive leader. I’m excited that Richard has agreed to step into this role because I know he’s going to do a great job.

Moberly is the Richard C. and Catherine S. Schmoker Professor of Law and has taught at Nebraska since 2004. He was named dean of the law school in 2017.

Moberly said he intends to return to his role as dean of the law school once a permanent executive vice chancellor is hired.

The executive vice chancellor is responsible in the absence of the chancellor and directs the university’s academic enterprise. The role oversees the university’s nine colleges, graduate studies program and libraries.

The law school announced Monday that Anna Shavers would serve as the acting dean while Moberly fills the university-wide role.

Shavers is the Cline Williams Professor of Citizenship Law and associate dean for diversity and inclusion. She joined the Nebraska Law faculty in 1989.