Santa Ono announces decision to leave Michigan for Florida president vacancy

Michigan president Santa Ono plans to leave for the same role at Florida, he announced in a letter Sunday afternoon. He departs Ann Arbor after three years as the president of the university.

“I write today to share that I have been selected as the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Florida, and once the appointment is approved by their Board of Governors, I expect to assume that role later this summer,” Ono wrote. “I have informed the Chair of the University of Michigan Board of Regents, Kathy White, of my decision. This decision was not made lightly, given the deep bond Wendy and I have formed with this extraordinary community.

“Serving as your president over these past three academic years has been a distinct honor. Every day, I have been inspired beyond words by the vibrancy, brilliance, and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni. I will miss the extraordinary intellectual vitality that fills our classrooms and laboratories, the sublime sounds of our musical and theatrical performances, and the roar of fans cheering on the Wolverines — or singing “Mr. Brightside” together in joyful unity.”

Prior to serving as the president at Michigan, Ono was also a president at Cincinnati (2012-16) and the University of British Columbia (2016-22). He received a bachelor’s degree with a major in biological science form the University of Chicago in 1984 and Doctor of Philosophy in experimental medicine from McGill University in Canada in 1991.

Ono completed his postdoctorate fellowship at Harvard University. He would later serve as the senior vice provost for undergraduate education and academic affairs at Emory University from 2006-10. He was named senior vice president for academic affairs and university provost at Cincinnati in 2010, two years before he assumed the role of president.

Florida later announced the hiring of Ono on its website. He will replace Ben Sasse, who resigned in 2024.

“On behalf of the Presidential Search Committee, I am proud to announce Dr. Santa Ono as the sole finalist to be the University of Florida’s next president,” said Rahul Patel, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. “Throughout an extensive and thorough process, we sought a leader who could match UF’s extraordinary momentum, understand its role as the flagship university of one of the most dynamic states in the country, and inspire our community to reach even greater heights.

“Dr. Ono’s proven record of academic excellence, innovation and collaborative leadership at world-class institutions made him our unanimous choice. We are confident he is the right person to build on UF’s strong foundation and help realize our bold vision for the future.”