After seven years as dean of the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Allen Levine announced Tuesday that he plans to step down at the end of August.

Levine has served as dean of the college since its creation in 2006 as a merger of two colleges and a department. He also directed the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station. A professor in several of the University’s departments, Levine will return to the faculty after stepping down, according to a press release from University News Service.

A nationwide search for Levine’s replacement will begin later this summer, according to the release. In the meantime, an interim dean and MAES director will be announced soon.

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve done in CFANS over the past seven years,” Levine said in the release. “It’s time for me to take advantage of new opportunities, and I feel confident that the college will continue to grow and thrive.”

Levine started his work at the University in 1981 as an assistant professor in the Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition. His research at the University has focused on neural regulation of food intake.

After leaving the college, Levine will also serve as a liaison between the provost’s office and other parts of the University on academic initiatives.