COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — A 17-member committee will conduct a national search for a new Texas A&M University president after Michael K. Young announced that he will step down next May, the school said in a statement.

Young, who has been the university’s top administrator for the past five years, announced earlier this week that he will retire on May 31. The university said in its statement Thursday that the search advisory committee will recommend at least three candidates for the post to A&M System Chancellor John Sharp, who will refer one of them to system regents.

Young had told Sharp and regents earlier this year that he planned to transition from the administration to the faculty. Young will continue as a tenured faculty member at the Texas A&M Law School, according to the statement. He also will become the first director of the Institute for Religious Liberties and International Affairs at the Bush School of Government and Public Service.

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