University of Arizona President Ann Weaver Hart will leave her position when her contract ends in mid-2018.
After a tumultuous school year in which her leadership drew criticism from around the state, Hart's bosses announced Friday that she will not seek an extension to her UA employment contract, which expires in 2018.
The announcement came from the Arizona Board of Regents at its meeting in Flagstaff.
Hart, whose UA base pay is $665,000 a year, told the board she has decided "to become a full-time teacher and scholar again."
Regents board Chairman Jay Heiler said the decision to leave was Hart's and he praised her commitment to the UA.
"The decision not to seek an extension is hers, and true to her character she has made it in full consideration of both her personal aspirations and her institutional commitments," said Heiler.
He said the board would likely start the succession planning process this fall.
Hart, who was hired in 2012 as the school's first female president, has been the subject of a number of controversies, most recently for her decision earlier this year to take an outside job on the board of the for-profit education firm that runs DeVry University.
The school and its parent firm are facing a federal lawsuit that claims the school routinely deceived its students about their job prospects after graduation.
DeVry has denied the allegations and Hart has expressed her confidence in the firm. But hundreds of Arizonans have protested her side job, which comes with a paycheck of $170,000 in salary and stock.
More recently, the Arizona Medical Association declared that its members had lost confidence in Hart's leadership of the UA and in particular its Phoenix medical school.
The board will conduct a nationwide search for Hart's replacement, said President Eileen Klein.
The board released this statement from Hart on Friday:
"During the 2016 commencement ceremony at the University of Arizona on May 13, I was struck with the realization that I was presiding over my 14th spring commencement as a university president, even as I was filled with pride in the University of Arizona. I look forward to returning to full-time faculty work as a teacher, scholar, and citizen of the University.
"I will dedicate my remaining time as President to continue to implement the major changes encompassed in the Never Settle strategic plan, shape a new vision and renewal for the University of Arizona honors program, solidify and strength the Academic Affiliation Agreement with Banner Health, and complete the Arizona NOW $1.5 billion fund- raising campaign."
