Santa Ono

Early Life and Education

Santa Ono was born on November 23, 1962, in Vancouver, British Columbia, where his father, the Japanese mathematician Takashi Ono, worked as an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia from 1961 to 1964. His father's academic career then took the family to the United States, where Ono was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Towson, Maryland, as his father held faculty positions at the University of Pennsylvania and Johns Hopkins University respectively. Ono holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States, and he has two brothers, Momoro and Ken Ono. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, which provided the foundation for his future in biomedical research. He then earned his Doctor of Philosophy in experimental medicine from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, in 1991, specializing in immunology with a focus on the immune system and eye disease.

Academic and Administrative Career Before University Presidencies

Before assuming university presidencies, Santa Ono built a career in both research and academic administration at several prestigious institutions. Following his PhD, he held teaching and research positions at Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, and University College London, where he also served as associate dean of students and as a member of the University College London Council. In June 2006, he moved to Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was appointed to the newly created post of vice provost for academic initiatives, a role that involved overseeing strategic academic projects. His administrative trajectory continued in June 2010 when he was named senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at the University of Cincinnati, positioning him for his first presidential appointment. This early career phase established his credentials in managing complex academic organizations and set the stage for his subsequent leadership at major public research universities.

Presidency at the University of Cincinnati

In 2012, Santa Ono was named the 28th president of the University of Cincinnati, becoming the first Japanese-American president of that Ohio institution. His tenure, which lasted until 2016, was marked by several significant developments and a major controversy. He oversaw the opening of U Square at the Loop, a US$78 million mixed-use development project aimed at revitalizing the area near campus. In January 2015, Inside Higher Ed named Ono as the nation's most notable college president for that year, recognizing his visibility and leadership. However, his presidency was also defined by the university's response to the July 2015 fatal shooting of Samuel DuBose, an unarmed Black motorist, by a University of Cincinnati police officer. The shooting sparked widespread protests, and in January 2016, the university reached a US$4.85 million civil settlement with the DuBose family, a settlement that was conditional on Ono's formal apology to the family.

Presidency at the University of British Columbia

Santa Ono began his term as the 15th president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia on August 15, 2016, and he was reappointed for a second five-year term on August 11, 2020. His tenure at UBC was characterized by efforts to expand research partnerships and innovation infrastructure, but it also faced several controversies that drew significant public and media scrutiny. In February 2017, Ono reinstated John Furlong as a keynote speaker for a university fundraiser despite allegations of Furlong's past abuse of Indigenous children, a decision that sparked protests from students and activists and led to the resignation of the only Indigenous member of UBC's Sexual Assault Policy Committee. Reports indicated the decision followed pressure from wealthy donors. In June 2018, The Ubyssey student newspaper noted that Ono's active social media presence sometimes blurred the line between his personal views and official university policy, requiring clarifications from the university's Public Affairs office.

In July 2019, Amazon announced plans to establish Canada's first Cloud Innovation Centre at UBC, a project that proceeded without community consultation. Contract details were withheld until a student group obtained them through a freedom of information request, revealing that the Ono administration had agreed to Amazon's directive to keep the CA$3 million funding confidential. Later in October 2019, at least six students required medical attention after suspected drugging incidents at a fraternity party, and a female professor faced online abuse after criticizing fraternities. The university administration under Ono emphasized its commitment to freedom of expression rather than condemning the harassment. During Ono's tenure, the university also hosted multiple controversial speakers promoting extremist views, and in July 2019, the Vancouver Pride Society banned UBC from the Vancouver Pride Parade after Ono inaccurately claimed equal community support for an event featuring an anti-trans speaker.

Presidency at the University of Michigan

Santa Ono's tenure as the 15th president of the University of Michigan began on October 13, 2022, and ended abruptly on May 4, 2025, making it the shortest presidency in the university's history. He became the first Japanese-American to lead the institution. His administration was immediately active, overseeing a renovation of the President's House from 2022 to 2023 at a cost of US$11.5 million. In October 2023, Ono received a 4% raise, increasing his base salary from US$975,000 to US$1,014,000 annually. He initially emphasized diversity, equity, and inclusion as a major focus, stating in March 2023 that DEI would be a central element of his presidency. By January 2024, the university was reported to have 241 employees in its DEI offices, with payroll costs totaling more than US$30 million annually. However, in a significant reversal on March 27, 2025, citing a federal executive order, Ono shut down the university's DEI programs and offices entirely.

His administration was marked by significant labour unrest, beginning with a disruption by the Graduate Employees' Organization during his inauguration procession on March 7, 2023. The union went on strike on March 29, demanding a salary increase from US$24,000 to US$38,000, a strike that lasted until August 25, 2023. During the strike, Ono's administration sought court orders to suspend it, which were denied, and GEO members confronted Ono at an Ann Arbor restaurant in April, leading to two arrests. The university's response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict also drew intense scrutiny. On October 10, 2023, Ono condemned Hamas as terrorists, leading to protests of hundreds of people at the President's House. In April 2024, a pro-Palestinian encampment was set up on The Diag, which Ono ordered cleared by police on May 21, citing fire safety reasons and leading to four arrests. These actions resulted in a federal complaint alleging a racially hostile environment for Arab students and a lawsuit by the ACLU of Michigan accusing Ono of suppressing free speech.

Ono's personal conduct and contractual obligations also became subjects of controversy. In May 2023, he spent US$575,000 to purchase a house in West Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, about 45 miles from Ann Arbor, despite his contract requiring residency in the President's House. He stated in a tax affidavit that he spent 100% of his time at the Oakland County address, which he also used for voter registration, though he later told The Detroit News he lived there only on occasional weekends. A local tax assessor review in August 2024 found nothing against his affidavit, but media reports highlighted his failure to fulfill his contractual residency obligation. On October 17, 2024, the Board of Regents voted unanimously to extend his contract through October 1, 2032, and increased his base salary to US$1.3 million per year, a 33% rise. Media reported he used the Florida job offer to leverage this increase. His tenure ended suddenly when he resigned on May 4, 2025, to become a finalist for the University of Florida presidency, without providing the contractually required six-month notice. Faculty Senate chair Rebekah Modrak noted complaints that Ono's campus emails seemed written by ChatGPT. On June 27, 2025, Ono was sued in a federal class action by female athletes alleging his administration allowed an athletics coordinator, later indicted on 24 charges, to continue working after he hacked into student accounts.

University of Florida Candidacy and Rejection

On May 4, 2025, while still president of the University of Michigan, Santa Ono announced he was the sole finalist for the presidency of the University of Florida. His resignation from Michigan was accepted in writing by the Board of Regents chair on May 6. At Ono's request, the American Association of Colleges and Universities removed his signature on May 7 from an April 22 open letter signed by over 660 college leaders opposing government intrusion in higher education. On May 8, he published an opinion article in Inside Higher Ed titled Why I Chose the University of Florida, where he criticized the DEI policies he had implemented at Michigan, praised Florida's values, and described the UF presidency as an extraordinary opportunity. The University of Florida Board of Trustees voted unanimously to select him as the incoming 14th president on May 27, pending ratification by the Florida Board of Governors.

His draft contract with Florida included a total compensation package exceeding US$3 million per year, comprising a US$1.5 million base salary, US$500,000 for chairmanship at UF Health, more than US$400,000 in performance bonuses, US$500,000 annual raises, and extra retention incentives. On June 3, 2025, the Florida Board of Governors rejected his appointment in a 10-6 vote after a three-hour meeting discussing his past support for race-based hiring, holistic admissions, DEI, and climate activism. His candidacy had been questioned by national conservatives including Christopher Rufo and Donald Trump Jr., the latter of whom called Ono a woke psycho. Media reported that while some board members praised his shift toward conservative values, others doubted its sincerity, with progressive critics viewing his actions as a betrayal and some observers deeming his conversion opportunistic.

Role at the Ellison Institute of Technology

In August 2025, Santa Ono was appointed Global President of the Ellison Institute of Technology, Oxford Limited, a private limited company incorporated in November 2021 in the Littlemore district of Oxford, England, and founded by software entrepreneur Larry Ellison. In this role, Ono reports directly to Ellison and is responsible for assisting Professor Sir John Bell, the president of EIT Oxford, in expanding its local science programs and overseeing its global affairs. The Ellison Institute of Technology endeavours to develop commercially sustainable solutions to global challenges, with scientific research focused in four primary areas: Health, Medical Science and Generative Biology. Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture. Clean Energy Generation and Storage. And Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. Ono's mandate involves translating scientific discovery into real-world solutions and collaborating with EIT's leadership teams worldwide to advance this vision. The institute also has a site in Los Angeles and partners with the University of Oxford on research initiatives, though it is not itself a degree-granting higher education institution.

Honours, Awards, and Professional Affiliations

Santa Ono has received numerous honours and been elected to prestigious academic societies throughout his career, reflecting his standing in both scientific and higher education communities. His research background in immunology and his administrative leadership have been recognized by peers and institutions across North America and internationally. These honours span his tenures at different universities and acknowledge his contributions to academia, science, and community service. In April 2016, he received an honorary doctorate from Chiba University in Japan during a visit as president of the University of Cincinnati. In 2017, he was awarded a Professional Achievement Award from the University of Chicago Alumni Association. He was elected a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in September 2017 while serving as UBC president. In December 2020, he received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from the Vancouver School of Theology of the University of British Columbia.

Further recognition came in April 2022 when he was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences while still UBC president. In October 2024, while president of the University of Michigan, he was elected a member of the United States National Academy of Medicine. Beyond these honours, Ono has held significant leadership roles in higher education consortiums. He has served as the Chair of the Council of Presidents of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and on the boards of the American Council on Education, the American Association of Colleges and Universities, the Council on Competitiveness, and Internet2. During his presidency at UBC, he also chaired the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities and the Research Universities of British Columbia, positions that influenced national research policy in Canada.

Personal Life and Background

Santa Ono was named after Santaro, a character from a Japanese folk story. He is a practicing Anglican and has served as a lay Eucharistic minister within the Anglican Communion. He is also a member of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, which explores the intersection of faith and science. His family includes his father, the prominent mathematician Takashi Ono, and his two brothers, Momoro Ono and Ken Ono. His personal interests and religious practice have occasionally been mentioned in the context of his public life, though he maintains a primary focus on his professional roles in academia and research administration. His bicultural background and dual citizenship have been noted as factors in his approach to leading diverse, international university communities.

Questions about Santa Ono

Where was Santa Ono born and what is his citizenship?

Santa Ono was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on November 23, 1962. He holds dual citizenship, being both a Canadian and an American citizen. His father was a Japanese mathematician who immigrated to the United States. Ono was raised in the United States but maintains his Canadian citizenship alongside his American one.

What universities did Santa Ono lead as president?

Santa Ono served as president of three major public universities. He was the 28th president of the University of Cincinnati from 2012 to 2016. He then became the 15th president and vice chancellor of the University of British Columbia from 2016 to 2022. Subsequently, he served as the 15th president of the University of Michigan from October 2022 until his resignation in May 2025.

What controversies occurred during Ono's time at the University of Michigan?

Several controversies marked Santa Ono's presidency at the University of Michigan. These included a prolonged graduate employee strike in 2023, his handling of pro-Palestinian protests and encampments which led to a federal lawsuit, and questions about his primary residence contrary to his contract. He also initiated then abruptly terminated the university's DEI programs in 2025. His sudden resignation in May 2025 to pursue another job also drew criticism for not providing the required six-month notice.

Why was Santa Ono rejected for the University of Florida presidency?

Santa Ono was rejected for the University of Florida presidency by the Florida Board of Governors in a 10-6 vote on June 3, 2025. This decision followed a lengthy meeting where board members questioned his past support for policies including race based hiring, holistic admissions, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and climate activism. His candidacy faced criticism from national conservative figures. While some board members praised his apparent shift toward conservative values, others doubted the sincerity of this ideological change. Media reports characterized the rejection as stemming from disagreements over his beliefs and noted that progressive critics viewed his actions as a betrayal.

What is Santa Ono's role at the Ellison Institute of Technology?

Santa Ono was appointed president of the global division at the Ellison Institute of Technology, Oxford Limited in August 2025. This entity is a private limited company incorporated in England in November 2021. In this role, Ono is responsible for assisting the company's president, John Bell, in expanding its local science programs and overseeing its global affairs. The appointment followed his rejected candidacy for the University of Florida presidency. The position involves leading a global network of researchers for the privately funded institute.

What are Santa Ono's academic credentials and research field?

Santa Ono is a Canadian American immunologist. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in biological sciences from the University of Chicago in 1984. He then completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in experimental medicine from McGill University in Canada in 1991. His academic background in biological sciences and experimental medicine supports his research field in immunology. This foundation supported his subsequent career in academic leadership and research administration at several major universities.

Sources and further reading

• Santa Ono (Wikipedia)
• Santa Ono Joins the Ellison Institute of Technology as EIT ... (eit.org)
• Dr. Santa J. Ono Bio (detroitchamber.com)
• Santa Ono (ellisonmedicalinstitute.org)
• Santa Ono Lands New Job (insidehighered.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-28.