There is a new acting leadership team at UMass Dartmouth, according to UMass President Marty Meehan.

In a July 31 memo to students and faculty, Meehan appointed two university staff members — Vice Chancellor Mark Preble and Prof. Michael Goodman — as acting chancellor and provost, respectively.

Up until July 1, Goodman had been the director of the Public Policy Center, which was closed indefinitely on June 30.

The move comes after outgoing chancellor Robert Johnson announced he was leaving the university after three years. Johnson will become the president of Western New England University in Springfield.

Meehan said the interim leadership will help with the upcoming academic year.

“I recognize leadership transitions cause stress for institutions, especially during a global health crisis, but I also know that UMass Dartmouth has much to be proud of and much to build upon,” he wrote. “My team at the President’s Office and I look forward to working with them and the entire UMass Dartmouth community to move UMass Dartmouth forward.”