For Ann Brill, the test drive worked.

Brill on Monday was named permanent dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Kansas University, a position she’s held on an interim basis since July.

“I had a great opportunity that not too many people get, to try out a job and see if I wanted it, and to see if it wanted me — if the people here wanted me,” she said. “In this case, it worked.”

Brill replaces James Gentry, who stepped down this summer after seven years to resume full-time teaching and research. Brill has been at KU since 2000 and served as chairwoman of the school’s news and information sequence.

“Ann has demonstrated great energy and vision since July,” said David Shulenburger, provost and executive vice chancellor. “I know she will continue this momentum in leading the school to new levels of success.”

The school enrolls about 725 undergraduate majors and 100 master’s degree candidates.

Brill, who will be paid $153,000 a year, said having a permanent dean in place would allow the school to move forward. KU held a national search for the position during the 2003-2004 school year, but the one announced finalist — Will Norton, dean of the University of Nebraska journalism school — backed out at the last minute.

KU held another national search this fall, but Brill “emerged as the leading candidate,” according to a statement released by the university.

Brill listed fund-raising, increasing ethics instruction and inviting more recruiters and media professionals to the school as being among her priorities.

Before coming to KU, Brill taught eight years at the University of Missouri-Columbia, focusing on online journalism. She also has worked for newspapers in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Montana.

Brill said she was glad to be involved in forming a vision for the school. “It’s like the difference between being a reporter and being an editor,” she said. “You get to step back and see the big picture.”