A UNC Wilmington psychologist has been named the state's professor of the year.

Kate Bruce, a psychology professor who also directs the university's honors scholars program, was named the North Carolina Professor of the Year.

The award is given by the Carnegie Foundation and the Council for the Support and Advancement of Education. It recognizes teaching and the impact of education on undergraduate students.

Bruce has worked at UNCW since 1984 and has directed the honors program since 1999. In that time, the number of students to enter the program each year has grown from 75 to 125, and the number of students participating in departmental honors in their academic majors has doubled.

She is the third UNCW faculty member to win the award.