NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay) — PoliticsAugust 18, 2026Hillsborough
Governor DeSantis visits New College of Florida to defend higher education overhaul
Governor Ron DeSantis visited New College of Florida on primary election day to promote his administration's efforts to reshape the institution into a conservative model for higher education. The event featured state officials and federal representatives who framed the college's transformation as a national blueprint for addressing university curricula.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay) — PoliticsWhy It Matters
The state has nearly doubled public funding for New College over the last five years and transferred $53 million in debt from the University of South Florida to the institution as part of its ongoing administrative and academic restructuring.
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“Appointed by DeSantis to help remake the school's academic and cultural focus.”personDavid Barker“Praised Florida's higher education policies as a model for the national 2024 cam”personDonald Trump“Aligned with Florida's conservative higher education efforts.”organizationNew College of Florida“The subject of a state-led overhaul and increased public funding.”personRichard Corcoran“Participated in the panel discussion regarding the future of Western civilizatio”organizationFlorida Polytechnic University“Used as a cost-comparison benchmark for degree production costs.”organizationUniversity of South Florida“Transferred its Sarasota-Manatee campus and $53 million in debt to New College.”