Chico State introduced a new vice president for university advancement.

Peter Smits, vice president emeritus at Fresno State, accepted the position as the new interim vice president.

Smits will replace current Vice President Rick Ellison who accepted a position in university advancement at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

The college will begin a national search for a replacement for Ellison, however Smits will remain interim vice president through at least the spring semester, President Paul Zingg wrote in a statement.

Smits served in a similar role at Fresno State for 20 years, and was responsible for its programs in development and fundraising, university communications, endowment management and alumni relations, according to a campus-wide statement.

“His wealth of experience and knowledge of Chico State will serve us well in the months ahead,” Zingg wrote.

David McVicker can be reached at [email protected] or @DavidPMcVicker on Twitter.