Missouri State University's President Dr. Michael Nietzel spoke out for the first time on his decision to step down.

Tonight, we're learning more about how he made that decision.

Dr. Nietzel decided a few months ago to step down by December 2010.

In a press conference today, he cited personal and professional reasons for leaving his post.

He informed MSU's Board of Governors Friday after contemplating how much longer he wanted to keep doing the very public job of president.

Dr. Nietzel says he doesn't have a clear plan for the future.

He says he's giving the Board of Governors a year to do a national search for the school's next president.

And that would allow for a smooth transition between leaders.

Now, Dr. Nietzel does have some options in his contract that would allow him to take a paid sabbatical.

He said today he will not exercise those options until he can hand the keys over to the next president.

Dr. Nietzel says he'll maintain the same workload until the day he officially steps down. "When we talk about time, we don't look at the calendar. We look at the watch in terms of how much to get done in the day. So I intend to be busy and keep at it."

Dr. Nietzel was asked about his wife's medical condition and if that had an effect on his decision to step down.

He declined to comment saying it's a private matter.

Nietzel went on to say he hopes to remain in the Springfield area.

The most likely next step is accepting a tenured professor role in MSU's Department of Psychology. But, he has not made that decision just yet.