As FOP director, Bell led the program through a successful national accreditation review by the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). FOP is one of just 47 AEE-accredited programs in the United States.

In an e-mail sent to FOP leaders on Friday, Bell wrote, “The state of the FOP is good, the place is well suited for a new director to come in and be successful. For those leaders and trainees that will remain here next year, this provides a great opportunity for you to work with the transition of a new director, help redefine the program goals and influence an important Harvard organization.”

Platz said that Bell’s departure “will be a great loss for the program, but at the same time, this is really what he wants to do.”

According to Bell, what he will miss most from his time at Harvard is the FOP community.

“I loved getting to know the students. I will miss getting stopped in the yard and having students telling me about their FOP trip or their FOP leaders,” he wrote in an e-mail to the Crimson.

Bell met his wife through FOP, and their son is named after a FOP leader who passed away. According to Bell, FOP has also strongly impacted many undergraduates, some of whom have reported that it was one of the best times of their lives.

“I’m not sure if that is true, but suffice to say, the trips seem to be important experiences,” wrote Bell. “I feel honored and humble to be a part of an important experience for so many people.”

—Matthew S. Lebowitz contributed to the reporting of this story.

—Staff writer Adam Goldenberg can be reached at goldenb@fas.harvard.edu.