Coppin State University President Reginald S. Avery will step down in January.

Avery said Wednesday it is time for him to step aside.

Avery had been with Coppin State, located in Baltimore, since January 2008, but received a vote of no confidence from faculty and staff in February. After the vote of no confidence, Avery planned to improve his leadership in March, but instead he plans to step down, effective Jan. 22.

“There comes a time when leaders must step aside to allow for continued institutional growth, and for me that time has come,” Avery said in a statement. “I am grateful to the entire Coppin campus community for their commitment to the students and mission of Coppin State University.”

University System of Maryland Chancellor William ‘Brit’ Kirwan thanked Avery for his service, and said the system would soon name an interim president, according to the Baltimore Sun.