Northwestern University in Qatar Dean Everette Dennis will step down from his role starting Jan. 1 to take a family health leave, he told students in a Monday email to the NU-Q community.

Dennis was previously planned to step down in summer 2020 after serving in the position for nearly a decade. In his email, Dennis said he was taking leave to be with his wife who has a serious health condition.

“I would not have come to Qatar without my wonderful wife’s steadfast encouragement and continuous support,” Dennis wrote. “It is now vital that I be with her and support her, which the leave allows.”

Dennis is expected to be on leave during the 2020-2021 academic year before returning as a tenured faculty member of the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.

An interim dean is expected to be announced in the next few weeks, according to the email.

This story will be updated.

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