Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced new victories in reshaping higher education during remarks at the Florida Education Commissioner’s Summit on June 4, 2025. Speaking at Miami-Dade College, DeSantis declared the state has dismantled ideological conformity in universities, replacing it with a focus on academics and traditional values.
DeSantis touted Florida as the first state to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from public universities. He defended recent laws banning DEI funding and blocking race- and gender-based curricula. He emphasized the importance of teaching American history and Western civilization, pointing to new curriculum standards replacing sociology with civics-focused courses. According to DeSantis, these moves restore education’s purpose—serving students, not political agendas.
The governor also addressed criticism over his administration’s direct role in selecting university presidents and trustees. He defended the appointments, arguing that leadership must reflect academic integrity and taxpayer priorities. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, a DeSantis ally, now oversees the state’s university system.
Conservative supporters view these reforms as essential to eliminating liberal bias and restoring discipline and objectivity in higher education. Critics claim the changes threaten academic freedom, but DeSantis insists the reforms uphold transparency, excellence, and free thought.
Florida’s model stands out nationally as a conservative blueprint for reclaiming education from radical ideology.
