Youngstown State offering president role to U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson

Youngstown State University said they are offering its presidential job to U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson.

The announcement was made in a press release Thursday afternoon. According to the release, the board gave authorization for negotiation to begin with Johnson.

Johnson responded to the offer on Thursday afternoon.

“Very recently, I was made aware of the opportunity to become president of Youngstown State University by a national executive search firm,” he wrote in a press release. “I wasn’t looking for another job, because I love serving the people of Eastern Ohio. When I was approached about leading this great university, with student success at the forefront, and helping to prepare the next generation of Americans to lead, I listened. I continue to be honored and humbled to serve the men and women of Eastern Ohio in Congress, and if I determine this opportunity to lead YSU is a good fit, I’ll have a very difficult decision to make. In the meantime, my focus will remain on representing Eastern Ohio in the U.S. House.”

Youngstown State University spokesperson Rebecca Rose said Witt Kieffer was chosen by the school as the search firm to assist in the recruitment of candidates and Johnson was interviewed in the process.

The school has been looking for a new leader previous President Jim Tressel retired in February.

Johnson has been with the 6th Congressional district serving Mahoning and Columbiana counties since 2010.

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This story was originally published November 16, 2023 at 3:46 PM.