The University of Nebraska-Lincoln announced Friday that journalism professor Charlyne Berens has been appointed interim dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Berens replaces outgoing dean Will Norton, who is leaving to become founding dean of the University of Mississippi Edwin and Becky Meek School of Journalism and New Media. UNL said plans for a permanent replacement for Norton, who has served as dean since 1990, will be announced later this summer.

Berens' appointment is effective July 1 pending approval from NU President J.B. Milliken and the Board of Regents.

"I'm thrilled but also maybe a little bit shell-shocked," said Berens, a full-time UNL news-editorial professor since 1995.

"This was not something I sought, but I'm very happy to do whatever it takes to help the college continue to move forward."

Berens' long tenure, leadership style and strong reputation bode well for the college, said Barbara Couture, senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Berens has taught courses in news writing and reporting, editing, freedom of expression and writing for online publications. In addition, she helped produce "Renovating the Republic," a depth-reporting magazine about Germany published in 2007, and "Fabric as Narrative," a magazine about international quilting published in 2008.

Berens also has served has editor of the journalism alumni magazine and is director of UNL's Dow Jones Newspaper Fund editing internship "boot camp."

Berens holds a bachelor's degree from Concordia University, Nebraska, and has master's and doctorate degrees in political science from UNL. She spent 14 years as editor and co-publisher of the community newspaper in Seward.

She is the author of several books, including a 2006 biography of Nebraska's former U.S. senator, "Chuck Hagel: Moving Forward," and two books about the state's unicameral legislature.