NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)August 18, 2026Hillsborough
Governor DeSantis visits New College of Florida to promote higher education overhaul
Governor Ron DeSantis visited New College of Florida on primary election day to defend his administration's efforts to reshape the institution into a conservative-leaning school. The event featured state and federal officials who highlighted the college as a national model for conservative higher education reform.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)Why It Matters
The state has significantly increased public funding for New College of Florida while transferring the University of South Florida’s Sarasota-Manatee campus and its $53 million debt to the institution.
Key Facts
Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.
Who's Mentioned
personRon DeSantis“Defended his administration's higher education policies and the overhaul of New ”personChristopher Rufo“Appointed by DeSantis to help remake the school's culture.”personDavid Barker“Participated in the panel to discuss Florida's role in national higher education”personDonald Trump“His administration's goals were cited as being in lockstep with Florida's higher”organizationNew College of Florida“The subject of a state-led conservative overhaul and increased funding.”personRichard Corcoran“Appointed under the new leadership to reshape the college.”organizationFlorida Polytechnic University“Used as a cost-comparison benchmark for degree production.”organizationUniversity of South Florida“Transferred its Sarasota-Manatee campus and $53 million in debt to New College.”