LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Dave Heineman says he hasn’t yet applied for the University of Nebraska presidency, but he expects to make a decision in the next few weeks.

The Republican governor acknowledged on his radio call-in show this week that he was looking seriously at the job, which came open with the departure of President J.B. Milliken. Heineman said Thursday that he wants to continue in public service, and the presidency would allow him to keep pursuing two of his top priorities as governor: Promoting education for young people and creating jobs.

Heineman has previously deflected questions about his interest in the job, at point saying he wasn’t interested. He said Thursday that he made those comments before Milliken decided to leave to become chancellor at the City University of New York.