ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) – The outgoing head of the federal Transportation Security Administration says he was surprised when Anderson University leaders approached him about becoming the college's new president.

John Pistole says he wasn't thinking of leaving his job overseeing security operations at airports throughout the country until he was asked about leading the school where he received a bachelor's degree in 1978.

Pistole tells The Herald Bulletin he'll be going into the new job with lots to learn since he's not worked in education before. He was the FBI's deputy director when President Barack Obama nominated him in 2010 to become the TSA director.

Anderson University's board is expected to confirm Pistole as president on Monday. He plans to start in March as leader of the 2,500-student private Christian school.