James B. Thomas, dean of the Penn State Smeal College of Business, will step down and return to the college faculty as a professor, the university announced Wednesday.

Thomas has been the Smeal dean since 2006. Before that, for about six years, he served as founding dean for the university's College of Information Sciences and Technology.

He has worked at Penn State for more than 20 years, according to the university. Thomas has cited a desire to return to teaching and research, the university reported.

"It's been a great pleasure the past five years to lead such a talented faculty and staff in our collective efforts to advance business education and research at Penn State," Thomas said in a prepared statement. "I look forward to serving the college in new ways and watching our continual growth from my position on the faculty."

Thomas, who holds degrees from Penn State, Florida State and the University of Texas at Austin, will continue to serve as Smeal dean until a successor is named, the university reported.

A committee will conduct a national search to fill the position, according to Penn State. Thomas was said to be traveling Wednesday and could not be reached for immediate comment.