University of Florida President Ben Sasse announces resignation

Will transition to teaching and advisory role

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

“My wife Melissa’s recent epilepsy diagnosis and a new batch of memory issues have been hard, but we’re facing it together,” said President Sasse. “Our two wonderful daughters are in college, but our youngest is just turning 13. Gator Nation needs a president who can keep charging hard, Melissa deserves a husband who can pull his weight, and my kids need a dad who can be home many more nights. I need to step back and rebuild more stable household systems for a time. I’m going to remain involved in serving our UF students — past, present, and future — but I need to walk arm-in-arm with my dearest friend more hours of every week.”

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

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