ADELPHI, Md. (AP) — William “Brit” Kirwan will step down as the chancellor of Maryland’s state university system after 12 years.

The 76-year-old Kirwan announced his plans to resign on Tuesday. He will continue serving as chancellor until the University System of Maryland’s Board of Regents names a successor.

Kirwan took over as chancellor in 2002 after serving as president of The Ohio State University. Before that, he spent 10 years as president of the University of Maryland’s flagship College Park campus. He’s worked in higher education for 50 years.

As chancellor, Kirwan has worked to increase access to higher education and to close the gaps that separate low-income students, minorities and first-generation college students from the general student population.

The state university system has 12 institutions, with enrollment of 153,000.

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