Former Robert Morris President Dr. Chris Howard will be leaving the university to accept a position at Arizona State University. In February Howard will be taking on the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Arizona State University Enterprise.

Howard’s wife Barbara also has accepted a position at the university as a University Fellow for non-profit leadership.

Howard said in a statement to the university, “To say that it has been both an honor and a privilege to serve as the eighth president of Robert Morris University these past six years would be a gross understatement. Barbara and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time working with the amazing faculty, staff, administration, Board of Trustees, and especially the students and their families,” said Howard. “Our lives as well those of our sons, Cohen and Joshua, have been enriched by the kindness the entire RMU and greater Pittsburgh community have extended to us during our over half a decade tenure.”

Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Mary Ann Rafoth has been named the university’s interim president. The university has begun the search for a permanent replacement.