Ben Sasse joined the University of Florida as a professor and 13th president of the 170-year-old institution in February 2023.
A husband, father, historian, Uber driver, and football addict, Ben guided Gator Nation during an era of rapid change in the nature of work, technology, and higher education.
Ben moved swiftly to cultivate fresh leadership, construct a UF-wide strategic planning initiative, and ground UF’s priorities in making the highest and best use of public funds. He established goals that are critical to Gators and the state: more applied research, more focus on lifelong learning for students, and faster, more nimble engagement with exceptional partners.
Before being twice elected to the United States Senate and a two-time New York Times national best-selling author, Ben taught at Yale University, the University of Texas, and Midland University in his Nebraska hometown.
Professor Sasse has won teaching awards and holds a history Ph.D. from Yale, where his dissertation won both the Egleston and Theron Rockwell Field best dissertation prizes.
Adopting a service-leadership posture, students and members of the campus community often saw Ben vending Gatorade during game days in the Swamp, moving students into their dorms (setting the one-day record for mini fridges moved), digging in to help with landscaping on campus, and serving breakfast at one of UF’s dining halls.
Under President Sasse’s tenure, UF was named the number one public university by the Wall Street Journal. Ben pushed UF forward to continue to provide elite education that is radically practical.
President Sasse led UF’s response to post-October 7th campus unrest, launched the President’s Strategic Initiative, and implemented new post-tenure review efforts.
Following his wife Melissa’s epilepsy diagnosis, Ben transitioned to serving as President Emeritus and professor in the Hamilton Center.
The Sasse family continues to reside in Gainesville, and they are passionate about UF’s success.
