How Ron DeSantis politicized Florida’s higher education by placing his loyalists at the top
Term-limited, hard-right governor instituted an ideological infiltration of universities by placing allies in powerful posts
TL;DR
- Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed numerous loyalists to key leadership positions in Florida's universities and colleges.
- Critics argue these appointments are part of an "anti-woke" ideological agenda to infiltrate and control higher education.
- Many appointees lack previous experience in higher education administration, with their main qualification appearing to be loyalty to the governor's administration.
- The governor controls appointments to university boards of trustees and the state university system's board of governors, which in turn oversees university boards.
- Notable appointments include former deputy chief of staff Alex Kelly as a college president and former lieutenant governor Jeanette Nunez at Florida International University.
- The process has been criticized for overriding the choices of university trustees, as seen in the rejection of Santa Ono as UF president.
- William Johnson of PEN America noted the scale and explicit ideological goals behind DeSantis's actions, contrasting it with previous political influence.
- Amanda Phalin believes DeSantis has structurally politicized the entire university system through its governance structure.