CINCINNATI — Xavier University’s longest-serving president, the Rev. Michael Graham, announced Monday he plans to retire June 30, 2021.

Graham was a history teacher before becoming Xavier’s president in 2001, according to a news release announcing his retirement. He will end his career having led the school for 20 years.

“Why now, 2021? Here’s why,” Graham said in the news release. “I will step down in 2021 because it is in the best interest of Xavier University for me to do so. And, because the University has never been stronger than it is now, it has therefore never been better prepared to attract a visionary and capable leader.”

During his tenure, he emphasized the need for students to be immersed in their communities and established the Brueggeman Center for Dialogue, the Community Building Collaborative at Xavier and the Eigel Center for Community-Engaged Learning.

He also added three new doctoral programs, created a School of Education and College of Nursing and developed the Center for Population Health.

A search committee including members of Xavier’s board of trustees will begin the search for his replacement, according to the school. They expect to have Xavier’s 35th president in place by July 2021.