HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — The president of the University of Alabama at Huntsville is stepping down after about 2.5 years in the job.

Darren Dawson announced his retirement in a statement Monday, news outlets reported. Dawson said he will leave the position “due to private family matters” and had determined with his wife that “personal priorities much come first.”

“It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as your president,” said Dawson. “Thank you for your unwavering support of our institution, mission and vision.”

The campus is part of the University of Alabama System, which was expected to announce a transition plan.

Dawson was the engineering dean at Kansas State University before starting at UAH on June 21, 2019.

With an emphasis on engineering and technology, UAH has a total enrollment of more than 9,600 students this fall, statistics show.