Santa Ono, one of North America¡¯s most high-profile college leaders, is set to take on the fourth presidency of his career at the University of Florida.

Ono, currently president of the University of Michigan, has been named as the sole finalist for the same position at Florida, in a move that could reportedly make him the highest-paid higher education leader in the US.

Prior to joining Michigan in 2022, Ono had also served as president of the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati.

reported that the Florida job could come with a total pay package of up to $3 million (?2.2 million), more than double Ono¡¯s base salary at Michigan.

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In taking on the Florida job, Ono will be moving to a state where the autonomy of higher education institutions has been seen as coming under severe pressure from the administration of state governor Ron DeSantis.

However, the spread of funding cuts and assaults on diversity initiatives across the US following the return of Donald Trump to the White House might be seen as tempering the risk.

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Ono has had challenges of his own at Michigan, with the university facing criticism last month for announcing that it would close down its primary diversity, equity and inclusion programme.

At Florida he will succeed Ben Sasse, the former Republican senator who lasted little over a year in the job before leaving last July.

The university is currently being led by Kent Fuchs, its president between 2016 and 2023.

Rahul Patel, chair of Florida¡¯s presidential search committee, said that Ono¡¯s ¡°proven record of academic excellence, innovation and collaborative leadership at world-class institutions made him our unanimous choice¡±.

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Ono, a Canadian-born immunologist of Japanese descent, previously served as senior vice-provost at Emory University, and held faculty appointments at Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University and UCL.

¡°Few moments in higher education are as exciting as this one at the University of Florida,¡± said 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 ¡ª public or private ¡ª in the world. I am honoured and energised to be considered for this historic opportunity.¡±

chris.havergal@timeshighereducation.com