Cornell University President Martha E. Pollack announced unexpectedly Thursday afternoon that she would resign from her post after seven years in office.

Saying she would remain president of the school until June 30, in an email to Cornell community members, Pollack said that the decision was “mine and mine alone,” adding, “After seven fruitful and gratifying years as Cornell’s president — and after a career in research and academia spanning five decades — I’m ready for a new chapter in my life.”