Tim Gleason is stepping down.

After first announcing his plans to step down in January, the dean of of the School of Journalism and Communication has been replaced, a faculty-wide email confirmed Tuesday evening.

Julianne Newton, the associate dean of Undergraduate Studies for the school, will move behind the desk beginning on Nov 1.

“I’m very optimistic about the school. I think we’re in a great place,” Gleason said of the change in a phone interview Tuesday night. “We’ve got a great faculty, tremendous students and a lot of exciting stuff going on.”

The email doesn’t mention why Gleason is stepping down a mere three weeks into the 2013-14 academic year, but the university has been shopping around for a new journalism dean since Gleason made his announcement. The school conducted two searches but hired no one. A third search will commence in spring 2014.

As far as Newton goes, Gleason is hopeful. He hired Newton in 2000 and she became associate dean in 2008.

Gleason commends her work so far.

“I think if you look at the program it speaks for itself. It’s a stronger program,” said Gleason. “And when it comes to the School of Journalism and Communication, I think she’ll continue to do just that.”

Gleason was most recently a university representative in bargaining with United Academics, the new faculty union, for their first contract. He says that it has been his choice to step down all along, and since United Academics ratified the contract last week he will continue to work the university has the contract is implemented. Gleason also served as a member of the Emerald’s board of directors until spring 2013.