University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono Selected As University of Florida Sole Finalist

GAINESVILLE, Florida  – The University of Florida Presidential Search Committee has unanimously recommended Santa J. Ono, Ph.D., to be considered by its Board of Trustees as the sole finalist to become the University’s 14th president, the University of Florida announced.

The announcement concluded  UF’s search for a new president after former president Ben Sasse resigned last year.

Dr. Ono currently serves as president of the University of Michigan and brings a distinguished record of leadership in academia and public health across the United States and Canada.

“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.”

A world-renowned researcher recognized for pioneering work on the immune system and eye disease, Dr. Ono earned his Ph.D. in experimental medicine from McGill University and his B.A. in biological sciences from the University of Chicago. He has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, American Academy of Arts & Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, National Academy of Inventors, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Royal Society of Chemistry. Among his many leadership roles, Dr. Ono serves on the boards of the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Council on Competitiveness and chairs the Council of Presidents of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the University of Michigan Health Board, and Fulbright Canada. His past roles include president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia, president of the University of Cincinnati, and senior vice provost at Emory University. Dr. Ono is also widely recognized for his ability to cultivate philanthropic partnerships and lead ambitious fundraising efforts. He has also held faculty appointments at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Harvard University, and University College London.

“Few moments in higher education are as exciting as this one at the University of Florida,” said Dr. Ono. “No other public university combines UF’s momentum, its role as the flagship of one of the nation’s most important states, the extraordinary support from state leaders, and a shared vision across its entire community. These strengths make UF uniquely positioned not only to lead public higher education, but to stand among the most impactful institutions — public or private — in the world. I am honored and energized to be considered for this historic opportunity.”

Dr. Ono is scheduled to visit the Gainesville campus on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, for a series of public forums with students, faculty, and administrators.