Wayne State University President Kimberly Andrews Espy is stepping down from her role due to "personal reasons," the university said on Wednesday.

Espy was named president in 2023, becoming the 13th president of WSU. She previously served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Espy was under a five-year contract with Wayne State.

"Serving this institution has been an honor, and I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together — from advancing student success and expanding research innovation to strengthening the community through collaboration," Espy said in a statement. "With the remarkable students who inspired me every day, this decision was not a simple one, and I look forward to spending more time with my family. I am confident in the university's continued momentum and further success for the future." 

The Board of Governors said in a meeting on Wednesday that Espy submitted her letter of resignation on Tuesday. The board appointed Richard Bierschbach, dean and John W. Reed Professor of Law at WSU's Law School, as the interim president. WSU officials say Bierschbach is the longest-serving dean at the university.

"I can promise to do my level best to work with you all, continue to the great work of this university," Bierschbach said in a Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday.

Earlier this week, the school's Board of Governors announced a special public meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss what it calls "leadership transitions already underway." 

Some students say their time on campus has been marred by what they call uncertainty and conflict between students and leadership.

"It's very confusing. I want to get a good education here as a medical student. I do care very deeply about freedom of speech. I care about what's happening with the undergrads," said second-year medical student Zackariah Farah.

Farah says he and many of his fellow students were frustrated with how Espy handled the presence of protestors speaking out against the war in Gaza on campus, as well as her treatment of Dr. Wael Sakr, the dean of the School of Medicine, who was placed on administrative leave last month.

"This idea that the president of the university can just come in, ignore the students, ignore the faculty, remove beloved administrators at will, without explanation, and then suddenly, we don't have leadership at the top when we need it the most," said Farah.

Farah says whatever steps the university takes going forward should be done as transparently as possible.

"They need to be willing to discuss with students about making sure that this campus is a safe and productive space for discussion and debate about what is going on in the world," said Farah.

Wayne State University Board Chair Shirley Stancato said, "We thank Dr. Espy for her leadership and university achievements during her service."    

Wayne State is Michigan's third-largest college and is home to around 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students.