"Longtime Virginia Tech President Tim Sands will step down in the 'coming months,' he announced Thursday afternoon in a letter addressed 'to Hokies everywhere.'

Sands, who has been at the university’s helm for 12 years, is credited with helping to land Amazon’s HQ2 project for Virginia and, closer to home, with strengthening Virginia Tech’s ties to Roanoke’s burgeoning biomedical sector.

During his tenure, the university has seen a 30% increase in undergraduate enrollment, a 200% increase in applications, a 70% jump in extramural research expenditures and a 185% hike in the university’s endowment, according to a news release from Virginia Tech.

He said it’s the right time to begin stepping aside so his successor has the opportunity to 'take the baton at full stride' and continue Virginia Tech’s growth and momentum, telling the community that 'together we have transformed Virginia Tech for the better.'

To ensure a smooth transition, he added that he is committed to serving until his successor is in place," reports Cardinal News.

Photo: Tim Sands announced Thursday that he will step down as president of Virginia Tech, a post he's held for 12 years. Photo by Lee Friesland for Virginia Tech.