When Santa J. Ono became the 15th president of the University of Michigan, he stepped into a role that has long symbolized academic prestige, public service and groundbreaking research. But Dr. Ono was not content to simply maintain tradition, he brought with him a powerful vision rooted in innovation, equity and student-centered progress.
In this blog, we explore the leadership journey of President Santa Ono, his impact at Michigan, the transformative ideas he’s championed and the legacy he’s beginning to build at one of the world’s leading public research universities.
Who is President Santa Ono?
President Santa J. Ono is a respected biomedical researcher, higher education leader and advocate for mental health and inclusion. With decades of experience across top institutions in the U.S. and Canada, his resume is decorated with achievements in both scientific research and university administration.
Born in Canada and raised in the U.S., President Ono holds a Ph.D. in experimental medicine and began his academic career as a professor and researcher in immunology. But it was his passion for education, leadership and public service that led him into university governance.
Before joining the University of Michigan, he served as president of two major institutions – the University of Cincinnati and the University of British Columbia. In both roles, he earned a reputation as a forward-thinking and student-focused leader, traits he has continued to demonstrate in Ann Arbor.
A Vision Beyond the Status Quo
The University of Michigan is renowned worldwide for its excellence as a premier public research university. Home to its main campus in Ann Arbor and regional campuses in Flint and Dearborn, the University of Michigan carries a proud legacy of excellence in research, education and public service.
But President Ono is not one to rest on past accomplishments. From the very beginning of his tenure, he set out to build a future that’s even more dynamic one that prepares students for a rapidly changing world and amplifies the university’s role as a force for societal good.
Vision 2034 – A Strategic Compass
One of President Ono’s most ambitious undertakings is the launch of Vision 2034, a 10-year roadmap designed to shape the future of Michigan across all campuses and units. Unlike many academic plans that focus primarily on rankings or institutional size, Vision 2034 aims to align the university’s growth with societal needs, ethical leadership and student-centered outcomes.
At the heart of the plan are themes such as –
- Transformative education is accessible to all
- Purpose-driven research and innovation
- A healthier and more sustainable world
- Inclusion, equity and social justice
Champion of Mental Health and Student Well-being
What sets President Ono apart from many university presidents is his transparency and advocacy around mental health. He’s one of the few university leaders who openly shares his own personal experiences with depression and recovery.
This candor has made him an especially relatable and trusted figure among students. At Michigan, he has prioritized student well-being as a top institutional concern. From improving mental health services to promoting campus-wide dialogue about emotional resilience, President Ono consistently puts students at the center of university policies.
Accessible and Approachable
President Ono is also known for his active social media presence, where he frequently engages with students, responds to their concerns and even shares photos of his dog. This informal, human-centered approach has made him one of the most approachable leaders in higher education today.
It’s not unusual to see President Ono attending student events, visiting classrooms, or walking through campus to speak directly with students. This open-door leadership style helps bridge the gap between administration and student life, building trust and transparency.
Elevating Research and Innovation
The University of Michigan is a research powerhouse. With billions in annual research funding, it plays a leading role in fields ranging from engineering and medicine to public policy and sustainability.
Under President Ono’s leadership, there’s a renewed focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and applied innovation. He believes that the most urgent problems of our time, climate change, public health crises, digital ethics and social inequity require joint problem-solving across traditional academic boundaries.
The Amplify Research Initiative
To further this vision, President Ono launched the Amplify Research initiative, which aims to –
- Increase large-scale research funding opportunities
- Promote collaborative projects between departments
- Encourage public-private partnerships for real-world solutions
Whether it’s advancing electric vehicle technology, developing treatments for chronic diseases, or using data science to improve education outcomes, President Ono sees the university as a platform for meaningful, measurable impact.
A Firm Stand on Inclusion and Equity
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are not just buzzwords for President Ono; they’re foundational values that shape his leadership. In today’s complex and divided world, he believes that higher education institutions must lead the way in building more inclusive communities.
At Michigan, he has supported initiatives to –
- Expand financial aid for underrepresented and low-income students
- Promote faculty diversity and inclusive hiring practices
- Strengthen campus-wide DEI training and cultural competence
Importantly, his administration is actively exploring new ways to support equity even in a changing legal environment where affirmative action policies are being challenged or overturned. For President Ono, the commitment to inclusion is non-negotiable.
Handling Campus Challenges with Integrity
No leadership term is without challenges. During President Ono’s time at Michigan, the university faced issues such as graduate student strikes, national scrutiny over admissions policies and the pressures of balancing free expression with community safety.
What stands out in his approach to crisis is his calm, transparent and dialogue-first style. Whether speaking with faculty, union leaders, or students, he emphasizes listening before action, understanding perspectives before making decisions.
He doesn’t shy away from hard conversations. Instead, he meets them with integrity and a focus on long-term solutions that uphold the university’s mission.
Building Global Connections
President Ono also understands that the world is more interconnected than ever. That’s why international collaboration is a key focus of his leadership. He’s actively fostering relationships with universities, industries and research institutes around the world.
By expanding Michigan’s global partnerships, he hopes to –
- Offer more international research opportunities for students
- Attract top global talent to Michigan’s faculty
- Exchange ideas that cross borders and cultures
His global perspective is informed not only by his personal background but also by his professional roles in both the U.S. and Canada, two of the world’s top educational systems.
Looking Ahead
President Santa Ono’s presidency is still relatively new, but his impact is already visible. He is laying a strong foundation for the future of the University of Michigan not just through policy changes or new programs, but by inspiring a culture of empathy, collaboration and innovation.
His leadership is a reminder that universities are not just places of learning they are engines of progress, shaped by the people who lead them.
As we look ahead to the rest of this decade and beyond, it’s clear that President Ono is steering Michigan toward a bold, compassionate and inclusive future, one that honors tradition while embracing change.
President Santa J. Ono represents a modern model of academic leadership, visionary yet grounded, innovative yet people-focused. At the University of Michigan, he is building on a legacy of excellence while charting a path toward a future that is more just, connected and intellectually vibrant.
Whether you’re a student, faculty member, alum, or simply someone interested in the future of education, President Ono’s work at Michigan is worth following closely. His tenure reminds us that leadership, when rooted in integrity and vision, can truly transform institutions and lives.
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