David Andrews has resigned as president of the National University of La Jolla, one of the largest private non-profit schools in the country with more than two dozen campuses.

Andrews’ sudden departure – announced Tuesday with a “bittersweet feeling” – came in a 450-word letter to faculty and staff.

No explanation was given in the email from Michael R. Cunningham, Chancellor of the National University System.

“From now on, I will return to the presidency of the National University,” Cunningham wrote. He will retain his role of chancellor.

He praised Andrews, 65, who arrived in San Diego after six years as dean of the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

“During his five years at the university, Dr. Andrews has been instrumental in leading many new initiatives aimed at improving the lives of our students and the reputation of the institution,” said Cunningham.

“While we miss Dr. Andrews, along with his vision and passion for innovative approaches to education, we wish him the best in his future endeavors. “

Prior to John Hopkins, Andrews was an associate professor and state extension specialist in the Department of Family Relations and Human Development at Ohio State University.

Previously, he was head of the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at Oregon State University.

He holds a doctorate in child development from Florida State University after earning an associate’s degree from Pensacola Junior College in 1976, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Auburn University in 1977, and a master’s degree in development from the child of Kansas State University in 1980.

His Wikipedia profile indicates that Andrews has written research articles, book chapters, and abstracts on topics that include addictive behaviors, the impacts of parenthood on freshmen, family involvement in juvenile diversion, adolescent development, preventive interventions for high-risk youth and educational reform.

His first fiction, “My Father’s Day Gift,” was published in 2014, according to the website.

In October 2019, it was announced that the National University would be renamed National Sanford University following a donation of $ 350 million from San Diego philanthropist T. Denny Sanford.

The giveaway would be among the 15 greatest in the history of education in the United States.

But less than a year later, NU announced plans to rename the 50-year-old school after the billionaire from La Jolla was suspended following reports that Sanford was under investigation into child pornography in South Dakota.

Cunningham closed his letter in part:

“I cannot thank Dr. Andrews enough for his years of dedicated service to our students, faculty, staff and the entire community of the National University and the National University System. We look forward to following the successes of his career and are excited about the next chapter of the National University as we honor his vision and continue our important work to provide world-class, affordable and accessible educational opportunities to a population. diversified from
adult learners.

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