Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse will step down as University of Florida president due to concerns over his wife's worsening health.
Mr. Sasse announced on social media Thursday that he has decided to step down from his role as the university’s 13th president after serving nearly two years. He was appointed to the role in November 2022.
Melissa Sasse suffered an aneurysm and a series of strokes in 2007, though she fought back to regain a great deal of her health. "She’s the strongest person I know," Mr. Sasse wrote. "We’ve battled some nasty seizures the last couple years, but she’s always remained a warrior. "
However, Mrs. Sasse was diagnosed with epilepsy in recent months, and has since experienced a “new batch of memory issues,” according to his announcement. Mr. Sasse said his role as husband and father and his position as university president were now “significantly at odds with each other.”
The couple shares three children together. Two of them are in college while the youngest is turning 13, according to the 52-year-old former senator.
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease that is characterized by recurring seizures. Around 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, according to data from the World Health Organization, making it one of the most common neurological diseases globally.
“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,” wrote Mori Hosseini, chair of the Board of Trustees.
The board said that it would work quickly to hire an interim president, and will begin to search for a permanent replacement. While he is stepping down from his role as president, the university confirmed that he will transition to a teaching and advisory role.
Dr. Sasse said his family will continue to live in Gainesville as he continues teaching classes at UF.
“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,” he wrote.
Notably under his presidency, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs were cut from the university. The move aligned with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s push to reform higher education amid concerns over indoctrination. Mr. Sasse was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, and resigned from his role as Senator in January 2023.