The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression shared the response from Brenda Kelly, Pensacola State College’s Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs:
“I am responding to the letter you sent Dr. Edward Meadows, President, Pensacola State College, on May 1, 2026. Please note that Dr. Mills’ students completed the collaborative project without any intervention from me or any other PSC administrator.
“I had no interactions with Dr. Mills regarding this project until after it was completed, when I was informed about the articles the week before final exams on April 28, 2026. Dr. Mills confirmed that all graded work for the assignment had been submitted before I met her on April 29, 2026, to discuss the optional, not required, printing of the magazine.
“Dr. Mills’ academic freedom was not violated, and students completed the project as assigned.”
The Corsair’s Award-winning History
The “magazine” in question is not the student newspaper, but a joint project between journalism and graphic art students. However, Pensacola State College’s rich history in journalism should be noted.
The Corsair is “the student press at Pensacola State College.”
Advisor: Marisa Mills
Editor-In-Chief: Arren Joseph-White
Assistant Editors: Marty Camacho and Quincy Kirn
Graphic Designer: Damien Burbank
Staff: Riley Glover, Luke Tarnosky, Quincy Kirn, Devin Lewis, Justice Emerick, Tommy Burkhammer Jr., Casey Hignite, Talia Soublet, Megan Bryant, Sam Viechec, Karley Herrington and Liliana Rollins.
History: The Corsair has a history of award-winning journalism. The student newspaper won several awards from the 1978 Florida Community College Press Association, including best news photo, best in-depth reporting, and best editorial cartoon. The in-depth reporting charges against college athletic officials.
In 1987, the student newspaper earned a first-class rating from the Associated College Press.
In 1990, Jim Jensen’s “Blind Group Accuses PJC of Discrimination” won first-place honors. Editor Bob Mason’s editorial, “PJC Humanities Grossly Undefunded,” captured second place.
In 1995, The Corsair received the general excellence award from the Florida Community College Press Association as the top publication for the third time in five years.
In 2005, the newspaper received another general excellence award, placing in the top three in 12 of 18 categories.
- Corsair alums: Troy Moon, Sean Smith, Elizabeth Trever Buchinger and Mike Suchcicki.
FIRE Version
In its letter, FIRE said the publication that was canceled was ” an arts-and-culture magazine as a collaborative class assignment.” The publication didn’t make it in print or online.
- Three of the planned pieces covered queer-related community topics: a profile of drag queen Vixen Valentine, a feature on the queer bookstore Perfect Day Books, and a story about Pensacola Poets and the café that hosts their open mic nights.
According to FIRE: On April 29, Kelly met with Professor Marisa Mills and told her the three stories could not be published. Kelly cited the Stop WOKE Act, specifically provisions prohibiting colleges from funding advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and from delivering instruction that “espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels” students to adopt certain viewpoints.
- Breaking: FIRE Demands PSC Lift Censorship
- Interview with Dominic Coletti of FIRE on Student Censorship