In a significant departure from its historical roots, New College of Florida (NCF), long recognized as a bastion of liberal arts education, now finds itself at the center of a profound right-wing transformation. Once known as a beacon of progressive thought, the institution has shifted course, with a faculty and staff increasingly aligned with conservative ideologies. This shift has sparked criticism, underscored by an internal open letter condemning administrative decisions that appear to override faculty expertise.
Governor DeSantis and the ‘Anti-Woke’ Agenda
The catalyst for this transformation was Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who targeted the school as a key part of his “anti-woke” political agenda. Under his influence, NCF’s board of trustees now comprises predominantly DeSantis supporters, including noted conservative figures like Christopher Rufo, a media personality known for opposing progressive ideologies. These appointments have facilitated policies resulting in campus unrest, with some staff departing in protest.
A Test Case for Conservative Higher Education
The conservative approach at NCF may not remain an isolated experiment but instead serve as a potential model for a broader conservative campaign to reshape American higher education. With Donald Trump’s recent return to the presidency, there is growing concern that the changes at NCF could be replicated across the United States, fundamentally altering the landscape of higher education.