Santa J. Ono is set to leave his position as president of the University of Michigan after a brief tenure of three years to assume the presidency at the University of Florida. His departure comes amid a turbulent period marked by protests and controversies surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, sparking mixed reactions from students and staff at U-M. While some welcome his exit, others express concerns about potential brand damage for the university. Ono is the sole finalist for the UF presidency, where he will likely face challenges related to politics and institutional elitism.