The University of Wisconsin System appointed the University of Wisconsin-Madison dean of international studies to serve as interim chancellor at UW-Eau Claire Wednesday, effective following the departure of the current chancellor next month.

UW System spokesperson David Giroux said current UW-Eau Claire Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich will be leaving his position May 5 to serve as the President at Westminster College in Utah, with UW-Madison International Studies Dean and Vice Provost of Globalization Gilles Bousquet appointed to serve as interim chancellor.

Giroux said the appointment was made following consultation with UW System President Kevin Reilly and the leadership of the Board of Regents.

Bousquet will begin his appointment July 15. Giroux added he was chosen because Bousquet’s background and experience in international studies coincides with UW-Eau Claire’s focus on liberal arts.

“Fortunately we have someone in Dean Bousquet whose experience matches up with UW-Eau Claire’s liberal arts mission,” Giroux said. “The college is already doing a lot in international and global studies and that’s obviously a good match with Bousquet’s experience.”

In addition to meetings between Reilly and the Board of Regents, Giroux said UW System leaders met with a number of officials at UW-Eau Claire to ensure they chose the right person to lead the university.

According to a UW System statement released Wednesday, Reilly will also work with the Board of Regents and the UW-Eau Claire campus community to begin the search for the next permanent chancellor, whose appointment must be made before summer of 2013.

Reilly added Bousquet will bring his academic credentials and leadership experience to UW-Eau Claire.

“At a time when people want Wisconsin’s public universities to help boost economic growth, Gilles’ work on system-wide international economic development strategies shows that he understands the UW’s role as an economic engine for the state,” Reilly said.

Bousquet has served as UW-Madison’s senior international officer since 2002, and is responsible for coordinating UW’s internationalization strategy. He has also been leading the effort to open a UW-Madison office in China this June.

Bousquet said in the statement he looks forward to working with the UW-Eau Claire campus community to ensure its reputation for excellence continues.