Linn-Benton Community College’s satellite campus in Corvallis will have a new director next fall.

Colleen Clancy, the Benton Center’s current director, has resigned to move back to the Seattle area, take some time off and spend time with family.

“She’s been fantastic. I’m really going to miss her. She’s been a helpful person in general, but I think she connected really well with the city of Corvallis,” said Rita Cavin, LBCC president. “It’s a loss to the college that she’s leaving.”

Elizabeth Lundy, dean of instruction, said she expected to have the position filled by early July.

Clancy is finishing her third school year leading the Benton Center, and she took the reins shortly after a $4.7 million expansion and renovation.

“There was a real expansion of classes available with the remodel,” she said.

In previous interviews, LBCC officials said the number of full-time equivalent students grew by 6 percent over three years to 939 in fall 2007.

Clancy said the new director will need to oversee a remodel to the parking lot, which will create more spaces. At peak times, it can seem nearly impossible to nab a spot at the Benton Center, so many students park in nearby residential neighborhoods east of Ninth Street rather than circle the lot.

New bus route changes should result in better public transportation service to the Benton Center, and hopefully result in more riders leaving cars at home, Clancy said.

“Corvallis is a remarkable community. I really value the time I spent here.”