Virginia Tech president Tim Sands to step down after 12 years

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginia Tech president Tim Sands has recently announced his intentions to step down in the coming months after 12 years in the role.

Sands announced his plans for departure in a letter on Thursday, April 9, detailing his history in the position, the changes he has witnessed and citing several reasons for stepping aside.

"Together, we have transformed Virginia Tech for the better," Sands said in part. "Undergraduate enrollment has grown by 30 percent, extramural research expenditures are up 70 percent, our endowment has increased by 185 percent, our U.S. News & World Report ranking among national universities has improved by 20 spots, and applications for undergraduate admission are up 200 percent. I am most proud that more than 100,000 Hokies have earned their degrees since I began in 2014."

Sands said that he will serve as president throughout the process of finding a successor and until a new one is chosen.

"It is now time, while Virginia Tech has momentum on so many fronts, for me to start the process of stepping aside so that the next president can take the baton in full stride," per Sands' announcement.

To view the full letter, click here. To learn more information about Sands' history at Virginia Tech, click here.