Simpson College’s board of trustees announced Thursday that Simpson President Jay Simmons will step down from his current role once a successor is named. The private college in Indianola has been dealing with lower enrollment and changing student interests and had two rounds of faculty layoffs last year. The board said it will launch a nationwide presidential search and Simmons will serve through the transition. Simmons began at Simpson in June 2013, and has led several financial and academic-related initiatives, among them the launch of the Simpson Promise, which covers the full cost of tuition for qualified students from Iowa families. “I want to thank Jay for his leadership and dedication to the college,” said Terry Lillis, chair of the Simpson College board of trustees. “His commitment to higher education reflects the ideals we strive for as a college.” Simmons said in a statement: “I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to have served the Simpson community. As I enter my seventh academic year, I believe it’s the right time for a new president who can focus the campus community on Simpson’s next chapter.” A presidential search committee is in the process of being formed.