Economics Professor and Department Chair John Karl Scholz is set to be the next dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Letters & Science, according to a university news release.
Scholz, who will succeed current College of Letters & Science Dean Gary Sandefur, came to the university in 1988 and has been the Economics Department chair since 2011.
Chancellor David Ward and incoming Chancellor Rebecca Blank both expressed support for Scholz’ selection, according to the release.
“I have long respected [Scholz’] work,” Blank said in the news release. “He is passionate about the value of a liberal arts education, and I know that he will bring insight and energy to his new position.”
Ward said in the release Scholz will be an asset to the university.
“We are fortunate that the leadership of the College of Letters & Science will remain in such capable hands,” Ward said.
Scholz is a former director of UW-Madison’s Institute for Research on Poverty, according to the release, and works on topics including household saving, financial barriers to higher education and bankruptcy laws.
He also worked for the U.S. Treasury Department as deputy assistant secretary for tax analysis and was the Council of Economic Advisors’ senior staff economist.
