A longtime KU administrator announced Friday that she’s stepping down.

Diana Carlin, dean of the Graduate School and International Programs, announced she would resign effective June 30. Carlin will take a yearlong dean-in-residence position with the Council of Graduate Schools in Washington, D.C., before returning to her job as a KU professor of communication studies.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as dean and am very proud of what my staff and I have accomplished during my seven years in this position,” Carlin said. “I did not expect to be dean for more than seven or eight years, and I was nearing a decision point when the Council of Graduate Schools opportunity presented itself. I’ve reached nearly every goal I set when I became dean. I am leaving a solid program that my successor can build on.”

KU Provost Richard Lariviere said he would take a look at the “administrative alignment” of the Graduate School and Office of International Programs before announcing a replacement.

“Under Diana’s leadership, the Graduate School has been streamlined and its operations centralized; international programs and study abroad have witnessed profound growth,” Lariviere’s statement said. “We thank Diana for her tireless work advancing KU’s reputation as an international university.”

Carlin’s accomplishments as dean include helping to establish KU’s Confucius institute, creating graduate certificate programs and overseeing the growth of the KU study abroad program. Last year KU ranked No. 8 among U.S. public universities for the percentage of students who study abroad.

Carlin joined the KU faculty in 1987.