Rebecca Chopp, Swarthmore College's president, surprised the school community when she simultaneously announced her resignation and that she will become the chancellor at the University of Denver.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Chopp has appointed Constance Hungerford, the school's former provost, as Swarthmore's interim president. Chopp's family roots are in Colorado and she and her husband have long kept a condo in Denver.

Chopp only spent five years at her post as Swarthmore's leader and she said her departure has nothing to do with the turbulence the school has faced of late.

"It wasn't about Swarthmore at all. I've loved my time at Swarthmore," Chopp, 62, told the Inquirer while traveling to Colorado. "Denver is really my home. My family lives in Denver. The University of Denver is a place I've watched for years and years."

Swarthmore is among 60 colleges and universities that the U.S. Education Department confirmed to have been under Title IX investigation for mishandling reports of sexual assault. Swarthmore responded by hiring a Title IX coordinator, a consultant to review the school's policies and procedures, additional staff and trained faculty on how to handle reports of sexual assault.

"We were very hopeful that she would stay," Gil Kemp, Swarthmore's board of directors chair, told the Inquirer. "In late May, out of the blue, this offer to become chancellor of the University of Denver appeared."

Kemp said he learned of Chopp's intention to resign on June 2, just after this spring's commencement ceremony. Kemp indicated Chopp received the University of Denver offer in the spring and felt she had to react swiftly.

"I am committed to continuing to build on the substantial work of the last five years and ensuring that the rich, transformative educational experience that Swarthmore provides is available for future generations," Hungerford said in a press release from the school. "I look forward to working closely with faculty, students, staff, and alumni during the coming year."