Dawn Crim has been selected after a national search process to serve as special assistant to the chancellor and director of community relations at the University of Wisconsin.

Crim will be responsible for leading community relation initiatives as a part of the Office of Community Relations, which oversees efforts involving downtown economic growth, campus planning and relations with local school districts and neighborhoods.

“The community liaison acts on the chancellor’s behalf in the day-to-day work of developing relationships, contributing to the community and representing the university’s interests in critical settings,” UW Chancellor Biddy Martin said in an e-mail.

Martin added the relationships between Madison, Dane County and the local business community are the most important relationships UW has, and she and Crim will continue to work on strengthening these ties.

Crim previously served as interim director in the Office of Community Relations beginning in March 2007, after her predecessor LaMarr Billups left for a position as assistant vice president of business policy at Georgetown University.

During her time as interim director, Crim was involved in the creation and execution of an identification scanner program, the securing of two fair trade licenses for UW apparel and the creation of Madison Spectrum Magazine, which celebrates and highlights diversity in the Madison area.

Crim said she is looking forward to carrying out her goals for the university in the best manner possible.

“My expectation is to strengthen the campus ties to all of our communities and to execute all of the priorities that are apparent through Chancellor Martin’s leadership,” Crim said.

Crim added she is pleased with the direction the office is currently maintaining in regards to municipalities, businesses and civic issues, but also outlined several priorities she will be pursuing over the next few months, including stronger connections to local businesses.

According to Martin, students’ lives are affected by the health and well-being of the neighborhoods, city and county surrounding the university, which is why Crim’s role is vital to the university.

“Virtually every important decision that gets made at the county or city level affects faculty, staff and students, and every issue on which Dawn Crim’s office works will have a significant effect, either directly or indirectly, on students’ lives,” Martin said.

Crim added she also plans to continue working on alcohol and labor licensing policy issues and will be in communication with those who fill the vacated alder seats to strengthen their relationship with the university.

“I’m thrilled. I’m excited,” Crim said about her selection to the position. “It really says a lot to the work that I’ve done in the interim over the last 18 months as well as the way LaMarr Billups prepared me to be Chancellor Martin’s first hire. It really signals that we have been doing the right kind of community relation work, and I will be ready to move the office in whatever direction she identifies.”