GW has tapped a long-serving music professor to lead the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences for the one month before the school’s permanent dean arrives.

Roy Guenther, a senior associate dean and former music department chair music, will take over after Peg Barratt steps down June 30. She announced her departure from the dean post last year, and will be replaced by John Hopkins University administrator Ben Vinson starting August 1.

Guenther has worked at GW since 1974, and has been described as Barratt’s “right-hand man.”

“[Guenther] has deep knowledge of CCAS and has been part of Dean Barratt’s leadership team,” Provost Steven Lerman wrote in an email Tuesday. “I greatly appreciate his willingness to take on this interim role during this important transition period.”