Hawaii’s chief academic officer is leaving the state Department of Education next month for a job in Washington, D.C.

Ronn Nozoe, Hawaii DOE deputy superintendent since 2010, has been appointed to serve as deputy assistant secretary for policy and programs in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education at the U.S. DOE, school officials announced Friday.

“His experience as a teacher, principal, superintendent and state leader make him well qualified to help the U.S. Department of Education’s effort to partner with states and local districts to help ensure all students are successful,” Deborah Delisle, assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education, said in a release.

State DOE Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono also praised Nozoe for the work he’s done in Hawaii and his potential at the federal level.

“Ronn has been a great asset in our state and served our students and educators well,” Hirono said. “I know he’ll be a wonderful leader in the U.S. Department of Education, implementing policies that will help students be successful nationwide.”

Nozoe’s last day in his current job is April 24. The DOE has started an internal recruitment process to fill the position.

“At the heart of any real change and improvement are deeply committed and selfless people who are willing to put the cause — in our case, kids — before their individual needs or wants,” Nozoe said in the release.

“By increasing the number and quality of measures of success, we are now able to recognize excellence and progress in more schools and more people which helps to highlight the valiant efforts happening statewide.”