Economic policy professor and economics department chair John Karl Scholz was announced as University of Wisconsin’s new dean of the College of Letters and Science, Tuesday, succeeding Gary Sandefur, who has held the position since 2004.

Scholz was selected by a 17-member search and screen committee as one of four recommended finalists.

Although put forward among many qualified candidates, Vince Sweeney, Vice Chancellor of University Relations, said Scholz stood out because of his academic background and past leadership experience.

Sholz has led the economics department since 2011, after formerly being the director of UW’s Institute for Research on Poverty, a UW statement said. He also previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Analysis at the U.S. Treasury Department and senior staff economist at the Council of Economic Advisors and co-edits the American Economic Journal.

“I think Karl showed a remarkable background that I think everybody felt would be suitable for this position,” Sweeney said.

According to Sweeney, the committee was mostly looking for a candidate with outstanding leadership and management, a trait that Scholz brings to the table.

Scholz said he is looking forward to taking the position and is honored to be part of such an amazing college.

“I believe very deeply in the mission of the college and it’s an honor to be named dean,” Scholz said.

Acknowledging that the college is a large operation where the dean cannot simply impose their vision, Sholz said as dean he hopes he can align budgets more closely with their desired outcomes, articulate the value of a liberal arts college and recognize that the landscape of education is changing.

The College of Letters and Science is the largest academic unit at the university with over 3,000 faculty and gives out almost half of the degrees at the University on a yearly basis, making the position of dean a “huge responsibility,” Sweeney said.

Sandefur plans to spend a year on research before returning to a faculty position.