CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Nine months after UVA President Jim Ryan stepped down under pressure last summer, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands announced plans “to start the process of stepping aside” in his 12th year in the position.

One of Virginia’s U.S. Senators has expressed concern that Sands might be feeling some pressure from the federal administration.

In a Thursday letter to the University community, Sands wrote over the dozen years, Virginia Tech had “an engaged presence in every community” across the Commonwealth, and has grown their research impact “around the globe”.

”It is now time, while Virginia Tech has momentum on so many fronts, for me to start the process of stepping aside so that the next president can take the baton in full stride,” Sands wrote.

“I have shared with the rector of the Board of Visitors my commitment to serve until my successor is in place to ensure a smooth transition for the university community.”

Summing up some accomplishments in his tenure, Sands noted, “Together, we have transformed Virginia Tech for the better. Undergraduate enrollment has grown by 30 percent, extramural research expenditures are up 70 percent, our endowment has increased by 185 percent, our U.S. News & World Report ranking among national universities has improved by 20 spots, and applications for undergraduate admission are up 200 percent. I am most proud that more than 100,000 Hokies have earned their degrees since I began in 2014.”

He said he and wife Laura are “rooted” in Blacksburg and will remain there.

He did not state a time when he will actually step down.

Sen. Mark Warner praised Sands in a statement: “Over the last twelve years, President Tim Sands has led a period of major growth and transformation at Virginia Tech, positioning the university as a more competitive global research institution. He strengthened Virginia Tech by prioritizing research and innovation, expanding enrollment while maintaining university competitiveness, and building lasting industry partnerships. As a result, Virginia Tech graduates are better prepared to meet the needs of a dynamic and rapidly changing workforce. In the time we have worked together, I have appreciated his candor, his drive, and his focus on expansion. I thank President Sands for his dedication to Virginia Tech and the Commonwealth.

“As the university looks ahead, it is essential that Virginia Tech takes the time to conduct a thoughtful and thorough search for its next leader — one that reflects the institution’s stature and ensures it secures a world-class president to build on this strong foundation.”

But Sen. Tim Kaine, in his own statement, raised concerns about the timing of Sands’ exit, coming on the heels of Ryan’s forced resignation and other federally-driven actions at Virginia colleges.

”“I’m deeply troubled by the sudden departure of President Tim Sands at Virginia Tech,” Kaine wrote in his statement. “He has been an exceptional leader for over a decade—a period of significant growth for the university, including through its deepened partnership with Carilion Clinic in the Roanoke region and its impressive Innovation Campus in Alexandria. This action has the earmarks of previous well-publicized efforts to oust Presidents at other Virginia public universities—VMI, UVA and George Mason. I urge Governor Spanberger to get to the bottom of this latest attack on Virginia higher education and take all necessary action to insulate university leadership from politically-motivated schemes.””