Kristina M. Johnson, a former under secretary in the U.S. Department of Energy under President Barack Obama, has been named the next chancellor of the State University of New York system, the Board of Trustees announced on Monday. Nancy L. Zimpher, the current chancellor, will step down in June after eight years at the helm.

As chancellor, Ms. Johnson will lead 64 four-year and community colleges that serve more than 400,000 students. The announcement was made during a special meeting of the system’s board.

“Dr. Johnson brings tremendous cross-sector leadership experience,” said Carl McCall, the board’s chairman. “I look forward to the entrepreneurial vision that Dr. Johnson will bring to SUNY.”

Before joining the Energy Department, Ms. Johnson served as dean of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University, from 1997 to 2007. And from 2007 to 2009 she served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the Johns Hopkins University. Her tenure at SUNY will begin on September 5.