U of M president Santa Ono leaving for Florida

What they're saying: Ono focused on the university's accomplishments, such as its $1.2 billion AI research ecosystem, in his campuswide email.

• "Serving as your president over these past three academic years has been a distinct honor," he wrote. "Every day, I have been inspired beyond words by the vibrancy, brilliance, and dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni."

Flashback: Ono became U of M's 15th president in October 2022.

• He was previously president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia and president and provost of the University of Cincinnati.

State of play: U of M announced the closure of its diversity, equity and inclusion office in March, along with the discontinuation of its DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan, after receiving executive orders and federal guidance criticizing DEI programs.

What's next: Ono will stay at U of M as long as needed to put an interim president in place.

• The University of Florida has already announced his expected arrival. His appointment is subject to the Florida Board of Governors' confirmation.