University of Missouri Interim Chancellor Hank Foley will leave the state's flagship Columbia campus in May to take over as president at the New York Institute of Technology, University of Missouri System President Mun Choi announced Wednesday.
Foley took the helm during a tumultuous time on the Columbia campus in fall 2015. Several racial incidents led to protests, a hunger strike and a football team boycott, resulting in the resignations of MU Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin and UM System President Tim Wolfe.
"I'm proud of my whole time here, but most especially, of the last year and a half," Foley wrote in a statement. "We've moved the campus culture forward and that will continue toward more inclusion and greater transparency."
A search for a permanent MU chancellor has been underway. The next leader will be announced in May.
In his statement, Foley touted several accomplishments during his tenure such as hiring several deans, vice chancellors and coaches.
"We've started to truly redefine ourselves as a bona fide member of the SEC," he said. "It's exciting, and Mizzou's future is bright."
Foley previously served as the UM System executive vice president for academic affairs, research and economic development and as MU senior vice chancellor for research and graduate studies. Before that, he served as a chemistry professor at MU and an engineering professor at the University of Missouri Science and Technology.
As Foley goes to New York, he leaves a university in flux.
The system is under new leadership of President Choi, who took over last fall for Interim UM System President Mike Middleton.
University leaders are also trying to account for declining enrollment from fall 2016 and explore remedies for a proposed 10 percent cut to the state's higher education budget.