Ruth Simmons will step down as president of Prairie View A&M University early.

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Ruth Simmons, president of the historic Black Prairie View A&M University, said on Friday she will retire at the end of February, four months ahead of her expected June 1 resignation date.

The sudden resignation appears to be related to a disagreement with Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp over hiring for the remainder of Simmons’ term as president. In a letter to the campus community on Friday, Simmons said she was recently informed that “she can only remain president with limited presidential powers.”

“My immediate reaction was that I cannot and do not agree to be president in name only,” she said. “No lasting good can come from subordination to low standards and expectations.”

Simmons declined to comment further through a university spokesperson.

Sharpe said in a statement that outgoing Texas A&M System presidents cannot hire senior staff or deans except on a temporary basis so that the new president can choose their team. Sharpe said he informed Simmons that he would not make exceptions, and she decided to resign.

“I’m sorry she chose this path, but I am forever grateful for her service at Prairie View A&M and look forward to more in the future,” Sharpe said in a statement.

Last March, Simmons announced she would be stepping down as president of Prairie View, where she has served since 2017. Sharpe persuaded her to retire to lead a historically black university.

The Houston native has been a leader in higher education for decades and has previously served at Smith College in Massachusetts, where she was president, and at Brown University, where she was the first black woman to lead an Ivy League school.

Under her leadership, Prairie View increased its donations by 40%, increased fundraising and financial aid. In 2020, billionaire Mackenzie Scott donated $50 million to the university.

Simmons was to serve until new president Tomikiya LeGrand took office on June 1.

LeGrand is currently Vice President of Strategy, Enrollment Management, and Student Success at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Simmons said she will remain at the university as a professor and continue to help the university with fundraising and leadership development.

In the letter, Simmons promised to continue to advocate for historically black colleges and universities.

“I will support the efforts of faculty, staff and students who strive for the best for themselves and their university,” she wrote. “We should not be held hostage to how others want to see us or treat us, but instead continue to forge our own path by demonstrating the pride, commitment and integrity that define us.”

Texas A&M System said it will appoint an interim president before LeGrande begins operations in June.

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