Mississippi University for Women has hired a new provost, an historian who specializes in French history.

Dan Heimmermann comes from the University of Texas at Brownsville, where he was the dean of the college of liberal arts. He will become the university's second-highest ranked administrator Aug. 1.

Heimmermann previously served as chair of the department of history and political science at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Ala., where he received a number of research fellowships.

His duties will include overseeing academic policies, deans, the registrar's office, the library and the honors college.