The incoming communications and external relations director for the University of Wisconsin System said it is a "privilege" to be selected, as he'll be part of a collaborative effort to try and improve UW relations.

Dave Giroux, currently the director of public information for UW-Extension, expressed excitement for leading the changed communications department within the entire state system.

"It's a privilege to represent and help support the incredible work that's being done on all our campuses … and the UW-Extension," Giroux told The Badger Herald Tuesday.

Giroux, who will begin his new job Dec. 1 with an annual salary of $120,000, was selected to succeed Doug Bradley. Bradley and two other government relations directors resigned as part of the departmental shakeup that occurred this past summer, which was aimed at improving communications.

Giroux said there will be changes within the communications area of the UW System, but the changes will come from many people, including UW System President Kevin Reilly.

"Any changes we do make are not going to be the result of my individual thoughts and action, but rather a collaborative process that involves everyone on my team," Giroux said. "Certainly President Reilly [will be involved] and extending far beyond that — the chancellors and my colleagues across the campuses."

State Rep. Scott Suder, R-Abbotsford, though, remains skeptical, saying reform doesn't automatically come with a change of leadership.

"Hiring new spinmeisters and new spinmasters won't cover up the fact that the UW has some major policy problems that need to be solved," Suder said. "I have yet to see any real reform."

Suder added that the UW System can "change the drapes" in hiring a new person to relay the university's positions, but he's waiting for the major change he desires.

But Giroux remains optimistic, and he stressed the importance of the Board of Regents' Growth Agenda for Wisconsin, which aims to improve accessibility, affordability, and retention and attraction of college alumni to the state.

"I think the Growth Agenda is exactly the kind of big-picture thinking that we must advance very assertively," Giroux said. "We must be fearless in extending that agenda — the future of our state depends on it."

As a member of UW-Extension, Giroux said he had the unique opportunity to travel the state and see the research and progress of campuses throughout Wisconsin.

In addition, Giroux stressed the importance of public television and public radio in the state, saying it's a way for ordinary people to attain knowledge from UW experts.

Overall, though, Grioux said UW System communications must be "crisp and unambiguous."

"We want to be listening and building relations," he said. "We can only be doing that with constant relationships and constant dialogue."

Board of Regents President David Walsh said he and the other regents are excited to work with Giroux.

"Dave Giroux emerged as the leading candidate in an extremely talented pool of applicants," Walsh said in a UW System statement. "We all were struck by his high energy and contagious enthusiasm."

In the meantime, not only will the 41-year-old Giroux step into a new job in December, he'll be taking steps across a stage as well — with fellow UW-Madison graduates.

"I just finished my masters," Giroux, said. "And unless my daughters are absolutely embarrassed, I will likely walk across the stage."