Associated Press

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn University says its president, Steven Leath, is leaving after two years on the job.

The university said in a statement Friday that Leath and the Board of Trustees' presidential assessment working group mutually decided to part ways.

The president pro tempore of the university's board, Wayne T. Smith, said trustees are grateful to Leath "for his dedication and commitment as Auburn made strides as a world-class public university."

Leath says he believes the university is stronger now than before he arrived.

Before going to Auburn in 2017, Leath was president of Iowa State University and vice president for research and sponsored programs for the University of North Carolina System.

Smith says the Auburn board will soon name an interim president.