ANN ARBOR (WWJ) -- University of Michigan President Santa Ono is leaving to become the president at the University of Florida.
Ono announced the news Sunday in a message to the University of Michigan Community, saying he was selected as the sole finalist for the presidency at Florida. Ono wrote he expects to assume that role later this summer once the appointment is approved by UF's Board of Governors.
"I have informed the Chair of the University of Michigan Board of Regents, Kathy White, of my decision," Ono wrote. "This decision was not made lightly, given the deep bond Wendy and I have formed with this extraordinary community."
Ono's departure from the University of Michigan comes less than three years after he assumed the position, taking over for interim president Mary Sue Coleman. Aside from interim presidents, Ono's tenure at the school will go down as the shortest in university history.
Coleman spent less than a year in her second stint as president after Mark Schlissel was fired due to an alleged "inappropriate relationship with a university employee."
Ono's exit also comes amid ongoing controversy around how the school handled pro-Palestinian protesters on campus, as well as the the school's decision to close DEI offices.
In his departure announcement, Ono touted some of his accomplishments during his tenure in Ann Arbor, including the expansion of the Go Blue Guarantee -- which provides free tuition to in-state students -- the unveiling of Campus Plan 2050 and the deal to break ground on the University of Michigan Center for Innovation in Detroit.
Ono called serving as Michigan's president "a distinct honor" and said he "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."