This is the third part of a series profiling the leaders of the UW-Madison campus community.

Phillip Certain left a giant void when he stepped down in August after serving 11 years as dean of the College of Letters and Science. As the University of Wisconsin’s longest-serving dean, Certain oversaw a college composed of more students than many universities.

Gary Sandefur replaces Certain as the new dean of the largest college at UW, but he is hardly new to the university.

Sandefur joined the UW faculty in 1984 as a sociology professor. Popular among students, Sandefur also served as associate vice chancellor for academic affairs from 1992-96 and as interim provost in 2001, including during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Chancellor John Wiley was stuck in California in the days following Sept. 11, making Sandefur the highest-ranking official on campus. Sandefur’s calm demeanor helped create a reassuring, supportive atmosphere for students.

“I learned that this was a campus or a community that can respond and will help and support one another in time of tragedy. It was very uplifting to see that,” Sandefur said.

Chancellor Wiley recognized Sandefur’s leadership during this time, which possibly had an effect on his choice to make Sandefur the next dean of the College of Letters and Science.

“Professor Sandefur long has been seen as someone all members of our community turn to for advice and support,” Wiley said in a UW press release. “He’s seen as a wise, thoughtful, knowledgeable and accessible resource by students, faculty and staff alike. As we continue our efforts to strengthen the sense of community on this campus, probing further the many factors that influence a positive and welcoming climate, Gary’s reputation and passion for this work will be an enormous asset.”

Though Sandefur’s history could be a reason why he was chosen for the job, the new dean looks forward to how to best facilitate UW in his position. Sandefur possesses four main priorities for both the College of Letters and Science and the rest of campus — undergraduate education, research, climate and diversity.

“A big priority is improving undergraduate education,” Sandefur said. “I want to make sure we do a better job of improving and providing educational opportunities for undergraduates here at Madison.”

Sandefur is determined to keep UW ranked strong nationally. He has significant involvement at UW’s Institute for Research on Poverty studying health, education, wealth and children’s resources.

“My second priority is to not only maintain our research preeminence, but enhance our research preeminence and reputation.”

Beyond education, Sandefur hopes to create an inclusive atmosphere for everyone on campus.

Sandefur’s main concerns also consist of helping students of color and disadvantaged students feel more comfortable. He said he sees a need for improvement in the way women are accepted and treated in some areas on campus.

Sandefur recognizes, though UW is diverse, there is room for more integration of different races on campus.

“I want to make UW look more like our country is beginning to look.”

Although Wisconsin is not as diverse as some other states, it is beginning to become more integrated than it has been in the past, Sandefur pointed out.

Sandefur undeniably realizes the influence a person in his position has on thousands of students.

According to UW’s website, the College of Letters and Science teaches almost 90 percent of freshman-sophomore credit hours and enrolls more than half of all UW students in its 39 departments, five professional schools, and 22 interdisciplinary centers and programs. The college claims more than 170,000 alumni.

“From my perspective what we are trying to do is to train the future leaders of this country, this state and this community.”