Valley Congressman and incoming Youngstown State University President Bill Johnson will begin his new job as YSU President beginning January 22.

According to a message sent out to YSU's community by Trustee Chairman Michael Peterson, Johnson has submitted his resignation from Congress on Tuesday and his term as Congressman will end January 21 with him taking his position as University President the following day.

This is earlier than his projected date of March 15.

Prior to his appointment as President, Johnson will continue visiting campus as often as possible visiting with students, faculty and staff.

"Bill brings a commitment to advancing our institution's mission, and we eagerly anticipate the contributions he and his wife LeeAnn will make to our community," Peterson said.

In his resignation letter sent to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Johnson described the residents of his district as "proud and patriotic," but disregarded by America's "elites," which Johnson said included academics even  as he prepares to take over an academic institution. 

"These blue-collar communities, like countless others in 'flyover county' were critical in building our great nation and will play a pivotal role in America's future. I am extremely humbled to have been repeatedly elected to serve them," Johnson said.

Johnson's appointment as President has been met with numerous criticism from YSU students, faculty and donors with some criticizing the Univerity Board of Trustees' closed search process, as well as Johnson's lack of higher education experience and comments made regarding "indoctrination" in higher education.

Johnson has failed to fully explain what he sees as "indoctrination," but has referred to it as forcing "liberal ideas," on students and that while he's not personally aware of that happening at YSU, if he finds it, he says he'll "deal with it." 

That language mirrors that of many conservative politicians who have sought to ban certain topics, particularly involving the history of race and gender, from being taught in classrooms around the country .