The University of the Virgin Islands has begun a national search to find a dean for its College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, to replace Simon Jones-Hendrickson, who resigned to take a become an advisor for Governor-elect Kenneth Mapp, UVI Provost Camille McKayle said Tuesday.

Jones-Hendrickson will become chief economist and fiscal policy advisor for Mapp. His appointment was announced at Mapp’s first post election press conference Dec. 5.

The move puts a cap on Jones-Hendrickson’s 38-year association with UVI that began as a student, faculty member and administrator. He has held the positions of professor of economics, department chairman and dean.

Kimarie Engerman will serve as interim dean until a permanent replacement is found, McKayle said. Engerman is a summa cum laude graduate of Bowie State University with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. She completed post-doctoral studies in engineering education at Howard University and served as principal investigator and co-principal investigator on various grants, UVI’s news release said.

Engerman is a provost fellow, providing leadership for the implementation of the Dual Enrollment Initiative between UVI and the V.I. Department of Education. She is also leading the creation of a universitywide advising plan and a junior faculty mentoring plan. Through a recent National Science Foundation fellowship, Engerman completed a post-graduate certificate program in academic leadership from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.