A professor of economics will temporarily leave GW to serve as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Department of the Treasury.

Tara Sinclair, who has worked as a professor of economics and international affairs since August 2005, filled the role of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Macroeconomics in the Office of Economic Policy at the beginning of the month. Sinclair is not scheduled to teach any economics courses this academic year, according to the Office of the Registrar.

“I’m grateful that Tara is joining the Treasury Department at this important time for our country. Her background and experience will contribute to the important work of furthering the economic recovery,” Ben Harris, the assistant secretary of the treasury for economic policy,  said in a statement.

Department of Treasury spokesperson John Rizzo said Sinclair is on “temporary assignment” with the Department of the Treasury until May 2024 and will return to GW after her assignment ends.

“As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Macroeconomics, Dr. Sinclair’s major duties and responsibilities to be performed while on assignment at Treasury include participating actively with the Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy in formulating and executing broad economic policies and programs primarily in connection with domestic economic policy making,” he said in an email. “Dr. Sinclair was asked to take on the position because of her educational credentials and a field of specialization in Macroeconomics.”

Sinclair was not immediately available to comment on her appointment.