NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)August 18, 2026Hillsborough County
Governor DeSantis visits New College of Florida to defend higher education overhaul
Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)
Governor Ron DeSantis visited New College of Florida on primary election day to promote his administration's efforts to reshape the school into a conservative institution. The event featured state and federal officials who framed the college's transformation as a national model for higher education reform.
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)Why It Matters
The state has significantly increased public funding for New College while transferring $53 million in debt from the University of South Florida to the institution as part of a broader effort to change its academic and cultural direction.
Key Facts
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Who's Mentioned
PersonRon DeSantis“Defended his administration's higher education policies and the overhaul of New ”PersonChristopher Rufo“Prominent commentator who helped make the school a symbol of conservative educat”PersonDavid Barker“Praised Florida's higher education policies as a national model.”OrganizationNew College of Florida“The subject of a state-led conservative transformation and increased funding.”OrganizationSuncoast Searchlight“Original publisher of the investigative report.”PersonRichard Corcoran“Participated in the panel discussion regarding the future of the college.”OrganizationFlorida Polytechnic University“Used as a financial comparison for degree production costs.”OrganizationUniversity of South Florida“Transferred its Sarasota-Manatee campus and $53 million in debt to New College.”