ASHEVILLE -- UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary K. Grant will leave North Carolina to become president of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. She will step down at the end of December.

Grant is a Massachusetts native and was president of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.  She holds a doctorate in social policy from the Heller School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare at Brandeis University, a master's degree in public affairs from McCormack Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Massachusetts and an undergraduate degree in sociology from the former North Adams State College.

UNC President Margaret Spellings issued a statement following the announcement:

“It has been a distinct privilege and pleasure to serve alongside Chancellor Grant for the past 18 months,” said UNC President Margaret Spellings. “Mary exemplifies integrity, innovation, and strong character — and her authenticity, humility, and insightfulness have been the cornerstone for her remarkable success as Chancellor these past three years. This is no doubt a loss for UNC Asheville and the University of North Carolina System, but we can all agree that North Carolina — and particularly the west — is a better place because of Chancellor Grant’s leadership. Congratulations to Mary and we look forward to hearing about her continued success in Boston.”