Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp has announced he will retire on June 30, 2025. The next year will be his last as chancellor, the end of a tumultuous 14-year saga that saw him navigate the System through controversy, change and politics. 

“By then, I will have served almost 14 years in this position,” the announcement reads. “Leading this grand enterprise has been one of the great privileges of my life, a challenge, and an honor.”

Sharp, a well-known figure in state politics, has shaped the A&M System for years, coming from the state legislature and a stint as the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. The Board of Regents appointed him to the position in September 2011.

“I thank the 21 regents who I have faithfully served, and I thank those past and present who have served with me: the presidents of 11 universities, the CEOs of eight state agencies, the members of my executive committee; our students, faculty, and staff,” the announcement reads. 

The announcement lists his accomplishments — increased student enrollment, adding a law school to the A&M System, creating the Texas Division of Emergency Management and more — while thanking a list of Texas politicians, including Governor Greg Abbott, Perry, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the Texas House speakers and the Texas Congressional delegation. 

“We increased our National Academy memberships five-fold, and our research expenditures now exceed $1 billion a year,” the announcement reads. “And the past 13 years have seen a historic building boom with $11.4 billion for 306 projects. Texas A&M University, in particular, has become the school of choice, with one of the biggest student enrollments in the nation. Texas A&M is no longer anybody’s little brother.”

He said the next 12 months will be the most remarkable yet, with the A&M-RELLIS campus making strides and advancements at the Fort Worth campus, the McAllen teaching center, the Port in Brownsville, the Houston Johnson Space Center, and elsewhere. Despite it all, he said A&M’s patriotic fervor will stay with him the most. 

After retiring, Sharp plans to move to Austin to spend more time with family. He said despite stepping back as chancellor, he’ll always be available to assist the A&M System. In an interview with the Texas Tribune, Sharp said the Board of Regents asked him to stay through the next session of the Texas legislature, set to end in spring 2025. 

“I have been blessed with more years as Chancellor than I had imagined back in 2011,” the announcement reads. “I feel like, together, we have accomplished remarkable things and built momentum for future generations.We are blessed to have our best set of university presidents and agency CEOs ever. We are blessed to have a Board of Regents committed to thoughtfully choosing our next chancellor, and I offer them my steadfast support. As always, I thank you for your support.”

Regent Chairman Bill Mahomes said the Board of Regents will conduct a national search for the next chancellor in the coming months.

“Texas is grateful for Chancellor John Sharp’s unwavering commitment to improving higher education in the State of Texas,” Abbott said in an A&M System post. “His extraordinary leadership throughout his time as Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System provided young Texans with the tools they need to thrive in our booming economy.”

This story will be updated as new information becomes available.