Neil Henry, a longtime Washington Post reporter and Newsweek staff writer who joined UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism faculty in 1993, has been appointed to serve as dean of journalism, pending approval by UC President Robert Dynes and the Board of Regents.

Henry has served as interim dean of journalism since July 1 and has agreed to fill the post for up to 18 months, heading the school in preparing for a transition to new permanent leadership, according to a press release from the university.

The Contra Costa Times’ Matt Krupnick points out that Henry was a finalist for the job earlier this year when Dianne Lynch, dean of Ithaca College’s communications school, agreed to succeed former Dean Orville Schell at Berkeley. She pulled out of the job — for the second time — last month without a public explanation. As Krupnick reported in November, UC Berkeley officials stonewalled him when he tried to find out why she withdrew for a second time. The J-school even asked its students not to ask questions about it, he reported.