LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — What began as a bid to lead the University of Florida has ended with a ticket to Oxford. 

Former University of Michigan president Santa Ono, blocked earlier this year from taking over the University of Florida, has resurfaced in England as president of EIT Global, the Ellison Institute of Technology’s international arm.

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The move marks Ono’s return to academic leadership just two months after Florida’s Board of Governors rejected his appointment, citing “philosophical differences” tied to his record on diversity, equity, and inclusion. He resigned from UM amid that process, cutting short the shortest presidential tenure in the school’s history, The Detroit News reported.

At EIT Global, Ono will work alongside Professor Sir John Bell, President of EIT Oxford, to grow the institute’s research portfolio. Founded by Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison in partnership with Oxford University, EIT promotes itself as a science-and-technology venture tackling challenges in medicine, agriculture, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.

In a statement, Bell praised Ono as a “great admirer” of his leadership, adding that the pair have known each other for two decades. EIT, for its part, cited Ono’s “long and distinguished record” at British Columbia, Cincinnati, and Michigan.