Fisk University today announced that president Hazel O’Leary will retire at the end of this year. O’Leary made the announcement to the Board of Trustees yesterday, according to a release from the institution. From the release:

O’Leary said “Our work with the board, students, faculty, staff, and alumni to transform and grow Fisk using a metric based Strategic Plan has been rewarding. On a personal note, I am grateful to the Board for its advice, policy guidance, and resolve to measure outcomes, as well as, its deep commitment to Fisk during my tenure. Each member of the Fisk Family has contributed to our relentless quest for measurable improvement in our academic and student support programs. Our drive for continuous improvement has been daunted by our failure to increase new student enrollment during the economic downturn. In spite of that challenge, the public record indicates that Fisk has achieved top tier performance among liberal arts institutions in academics, student retention and engagement. While much remains to be done, I am confident that Fisk, the institution I love and have led these past eight years, is in better shape than when I arrived, and it will continue to enjoy a long and distinguished legacy.”

The university says that research funding, retention and graduate school placements all saw increases under O’Leary’s tenure. The university remains in a legal process to sell a stake of its Stieglitz art collection, which university officials said would be the only way to secure financing to keep the university open.