Leaving the University of Michigan, the University of Florida intends to employ Santa Ono as its school president.
Ono was suggested by the search committee to be the sole candidate that the board of trustees would take into consideration on Sunday evening.
The school’s presidential search committee head Rahul Patel stated, “Dr. Ono’s proven record of academic excellence, innovation and collaborative leadership at world-class institutions made him our unanimous choice.”
According to state law, the president is chosen by the school’s board and is subject to confirmation by the Florida Board of Governors.
Ono is anticipated to visit school on Tuesday for a number of meetings with representatives from the administration, teachers, and students.
“Few moments in higher education are as exciting as this one at the University of Florida,” Ono stated. “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.”
Kent Fuchs, who took over as the school’s acting president last summer following the resignation of former US Senator Ben Sasse, is expected to be replaced by Ono.
Sasse became president of the university in 2023 after leaving the U.S. Senate, where he represented Nebraska.
Following his wife’s epilepsy diagnosis in July, Sasse declared he was quitting the position to devote more time to his family.
In his first year on the job, Sasse reportedly spent more than $1.3 million on private catering for opulent dinners, football tailgates, and social events, and he offered two former Republican officials and six former staffers jobs with salaries that were higher than those of comparable positions.
It was roughly twice as much as his predecessor, Fuchs, who was temporarily reinstated to lead the institution.
“If I could select a dream candidate for the University’s next president, it would be Santa Ono,” Fuchs stated. ”His demonstrated record of success at the best universities, his leadership style, and caring personality have allowed him to work effectively with faculty, students, alumni, staff and other stakeholders everywhere he has been.”
Ono led the University of British Columbia before being hired by the University of Michigan over three years ago. Prior to this, he was senior vice provost and provost’s deputy at Emory University in Georgia, and he was president of the University of Cincinnati.
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According to Ono, the school would look for more ways to help students, such as increasing the number of scholarships available to low-income students.
