University of Massachusetts president Robert Caret is leaving to become the chancellor of the University System of Maryland.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by James Shea, chairman of the USM Board of Regents. Caret will begin his new post on July 1, 2015.

Caret has served as president of the five-member UMass system since January 2011. He previously served as president of Towson University in suburban Baltimore, part of the University of Maryland system.

Henry Thomas, chairman of the UMass Board of Trustees, said he was disappointed to learn of Caret's decision but said a "first-class search" would begin for a successor.

Caret will succeed William Kirwan, who announced plans in May to step down as chancellor after serving in the post since 2002.

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