NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Politics)August 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 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.”