Missouri State University President Michael Nietzel has announced he plans to leave by the end of next year.

Nietzel issued a news release Monday saying he could depart sooner if the university finds a new president, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

"At both the personal and professional levels, I want and need a change," he said. "The presidency of MSU is a very public, demanding and complex job. I have concluded that I cannot continue to do that job at a level of achievement that I want from myself and that the university has every right to expect from its president."

In his release, Nietzel said he made the decision in August. Board Chairman Brian Hammons said he informed the trustees Friday.

Nietzel is at the beginning of a four-year contract that included a substantial retention bonus if he remained through 2013, Hammons said.

Since he became president four years ago, Nietzel has been a vocal advocate for public higher education in Missouri, brokering a deal this year in which the legislature agreed to keep funding at last year's level in exchange for a pledge against tuition hikes. He also created scholarships for students living below the poverty line.