Laura Lunsford, director of the Swain Center at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, is leaving her position to become the department chair of the psychology program at Campbell University's School of Education.

Lunsford will also be a full professor of psychology. 

Lunsford said she decided to transition from her position at the Swain Center after working as the director since 2016, because the offer to move to Campbell University could potentially lead to more career options.

“I love it here; we’ve done a lot of terrific work,” Lunsford said.” “But faculty full professor jobs don’t come up often, and it opens opportunities down the road.”

Lunsford said she was motivated to take the job after a visit to the Campbell University campus in Buies Creek.

“I have written books on liberal arts colleges, and I have always been attracted to them, but after visiting with them, they are a place on the move,” Lunsford said. “They have a new medical school and a president that is really focused on the undergraduate experience … it is exciting to be in a place that is growing.”

There were many things accomplished at the Swain Center during her time there, making it hard to pinpoint all the successes, she said.