Rick's Blog

Daily Outtakes: DeSantis orders FHP protection for BOT meeting

Today, the University of West Florida Board of Trustees has its first on-campus meeting for its new trustees. It will be the first BOT meeting with five uniformed Florida Highway Patrol officers present at the direction of the DeSantis administration—though it’s unclear whether they will be in the meeting or outside.

CONCERN:  It’s possible that Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to create a narrative that UWF is out of control, validate his appointments and demand changes. 


On Tuesday, over 400 citizens attended a peaceful town hall to voice concerns about Gov. DeSantis’ appointments to the board, specifically Chairman Scott Yenor and Academic Affairs Committee Chairman Adam Kissel, which have yet to be approved by the Florida Senate.

The panel recommended the attendees:

  1. Contact key officials, particularly State Senator Don Gaetz, who chairs the Ethics and Elections Committee responsible for confirming the appointees
  2. Write personal, handwritten notes expressing why UWF matters
  3. Attend today’s Board of Trustees meeting

2025 UWF Accountability Plan

The BOT agenda is online. The Trustees will be asked to approve the 2025 UWF Accountability Plan.

The plan reveals impressive achievements across multiple domains. The analysis examines how UWF has established itself as a leader in higher education through strategic initiatives, innovative programming, and a steadfast commitment to student success.

Strategic Enrollment Growth

Approval CheckUWF has achieved a significant milestone with a 5% increase in degree-seeking students for 2024. Undergraduate enrollment has risen by 3%, including a 4% increase in first-time-in-college students. Most notably, graduate program enrollment has surged by 10%, with substantial growth in key areas such as Data Science Online (26%), Exceptional Student Education (36%), Public Health (32%), and MBA – Business Analytics (44%).

Enhanced Student Success Metrics

Approval CheckThe university’s graduation and retention metrics demonstrate remarkable improvement. Over the past five years, UWF has:

HOW?

Expanding Access and Opportunity

In 2024, 90% of incoming First Time in College (FTIC) students completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), while the percentage of freshmen receiving Pell Grants increased from 35% in 2023 to 42% in 2024. First-generation freshman enrollment has grown significantly, now comprising 33% of the freshman class—a ten percentage point increase.

These statistics show how UWF meets the state Board of Governors’ priorities of improving university access, affordability, and social mobility. UWF makes higher education accessible to a diverse student population.

Academic and Research Excellence

UWF faculty and students continue to demonstrate exceptional achievement:

The university’s commitment to cybersecurity education is evident in the $12.3 million in grants received by the UWF Center for Cybersecurity to provide free training for state and local government employees and expand the CyberSkills2Work program.

Strategic Vision for Continued Progress

UWF has established a clear framework for sustained growth through 2029. The university will continue prioritizing regional workforce development needs while focusing on operational excellence, student success, increased social mobility, and academic distinction.

The institution’s efforts have garnered national recognition:


The University of West Florida Board of Trustees meets at 9 a.m. in the UWF Conference Center (Building 22). The public and all attendees may join this meeting at the UWF Conference Center or virtually via Zoom (Webinar ID: 853 4094 3601 | Passcode: 949963)

Exit mobile version