The UA College of Business and Public Administration named Mark Zupan, University of Southern California professor of finance and business economics, as its new dean.

"I believe that both the college and the university will be well served by his intelligence, collaborative approach to leadership, academic and personal values, experience at excellent universities and evident potential as an academic leader," said Paul Sypherd, UA senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Zupan said working with high quality individuals was one reason he was interested in the position.

He said his goal is to "keep improving the MBA program" and help the college become "one of the leaders among business schools € in the same class with Berkeley and the University of Michigan."

His research has focused on water policy and the influence of economics on voters and elected officials.

Zupan officially takes office Jan. 6 and will be paid $155,000 annually.

Zupan received his bachelor's degree from Harvard in 1981 and his doctorate from MIT in 1987. He served as associate dean at USC's School of Business Administration from 1992 to 1994.

Zupan was chosen by a committee of BPA faculty, staff, students and advisory board members.