Michael J. Schmidt, a New Jersey native who served as dean of the college at Life Chiropractic West for 10 years, will start work Monday.

"Michael is an experienced practitioner. He has a solid academic background and excellent administrative skills," said Gerard W. Clum, president of Life Chiropractic College West and Schmidt's former boss.

"I think he'll be very capable of helping [Life University] at the immediate time with their needs and be very instrumental in setting the stage for someone to come in on a permanent basis," he said.

Schmidt replaces Life University founder and president Sid Williams, who resigned amid the school's accreditation crisis. The Council on Chiropractic Education revoked the school's accreditation on June 10. The school plans to appeal the decision.

Clum said he did not know whether Schmidt was being considered for permanent appointment to the president's job, nor did he know whether Schmidt was interested in such a possibility.

Will Hurst, spokesman for the school's board of trustees, said Friday that the search for a permanent president is continuing.

"That does not mean that [Schmidt] isn't being considered for the job permanently," Hurst said. "It means the board's immediate concern was interim and the process will continue for the permanent president."

Hurst said "a number" of candidates were interviewed for the interim position, but he could not specify exactly how many.

Schmidt is scheduled to address the faculty, students and media Monday.