The College of Eastern Idaho’s first and only president is retiring.

Rick Aman will step down, effective in July. Aman announced his retirement at a board of trustees meeting last week.

Aman was appointed interim president when the Idaho Falls school was still known as Eastern Idaho Technical College. In May 2017, 71.4% of Bonneville County voters agreed to create the state’s fourth community college. This transformed the school’s mission; the name change would come with it.

“What a privilege to be able to start a community college,” Aman said, according to an EastIdahoNews.com article on his pending retirement. “There’s a lot that goes into these kind of colleges. I really feel like the idea of starting things is an area of skill and interest that I have.”

The fledgling community college has grown rapidly, with enrollment more than tripling since 2017, according to State Board of Education data.

Last fall’s student headcount totaled 2,571, compared to 809 students six years ago.

CEI trustees hope to name a new president by July 31, EastIdahoNews reported.