The University of North Carolina Wilmington has hired Bill Kawczynski as a community partnerships specialist, the school announced Thursday.

According to a press release, Kawczynski will assist UNCW’s growing partnership efforts “by supporting existing initiatives throughout the region and beyond, and researching the potential for new partnerships.”

Kawczynski previously worked at UNCW for nearly 12 years as assistant director of the UNCW Science & Mathematics Education Center. He most recently worked for Cape Fear Community College as workforce development coordinator.

He also served as a database manager, operations analyst and logistics coordinator for the Multi-National Forces-Iraq for more than a year.

“I am excited to welcome Bill back to UNCW,” Jenni Harris, assistant to the chancellor for community partnerships, said in the release. “He shares the university’s values, and he’s very committed to helping us enhance our community outreach programs. Bill’s proven abilities to coordinate programs involving numerous public and private partners will be an asset to UNCW and our community.”