University of Florida President Ben Sasse Announces Resignation – News

University of Florida President Ben Sasse announced today that he will resign from his current position as president effective July 31, 2024, and has directed the Board of Trustees to conduct a search for a new president. Sasse served as president for nearly two years after becoming the university’s 13th president in November 2022.

“My wife Melissa’s recent epilepsy diagnosis and a new round of memory issues have been difficult, but we are facing it together,” President Sasse said. “Our two wonderful daughters are in college, but our youngest just turned 13. Gator Nation needs a president who can continue to step up, Melissa deserves a husband who can do his share of the work, and my children need a father who can be home many more nights. I need to step back and rebuild more stable family systems for a while. I will continue to be involved in serving our UF students — past, present and future — but I need to walk arm-in-arm with my dearest friend more hours each week.”

“The Board of Trustees thanks Dr. Sasse for his service to the University of Florida. Under his leadership, UF has continued to grow nationally and internationally, benefiting our students, faculty, alumni, community and state. He has left a lasting mark on the university and all associated with it. We wish Ben all the best as he steps back to focus on his family,” said Mori Hosseini, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees will work quickly and thoughtfully to announce an interim president and lay the groundwork for a search for a new president. The Board of Trustees will engage the UF community every step of the way.