Advocates for academic freedom are battling in court against Florida's claim a professor's speech is government speech, allowing them to prevent criticism of the governor.

Arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals' 11th Circuit last month raised alarms when prominent attorney Charles J. Cooper, representing Florida, said the state can "insist that professors not espouse and endorse viewpoints contrary to the state's."

Adriana Novoa, professor of Latin American history at the University of South Florida, is challenging the "Stop WOKE" Act and warned people should be very concerned.

"It's indoctrination, which is ironic because that's what they say we are doing right now," Novoa pointed out. "Basically any governor -- it's not only about this one -- any governor in the future can decide what will be the viewpoints that will be promoted in the classroom."

The Stop WOKE Act, struck down but under appeal, banned school instruction and workplace training, suggesting privilege or oppression based on race, sex or national origin.

Gov. Ron DeSantis criticizes DEI programs focusing on race and sexual orientation, claiming they are unconstitutional and discriminatory and has passed laws to prevent discomfort or guilt around such topics.

Henry Reichman, professor emeritus of history at California State University-East Bay and former vice president of the American Association of University Professors, said academic freedom is a professional standard honored by reputable universities. He cautioned Florida's approach is unprecedented and dangerous.

"This notion that the faculty member is nothing more than a spokesperson for the government, that the government is the ventriloquist behind the scenes pulling the strings of the professor, then you don't have education; you have propaganda, indoctrination," Reichman contended.

Despite DeSantis' ongoing campaign against what he calls "indoctrination," a term he frequently uses at rallies and this week's Republican National Convention, the state's appeal of the Stop WOKE Act, or Individual Freedom Act, has raised concerns among academics and civil rights organizations about the lengths the state is willing to go to limit freedom of thought in classrooms.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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Postsecondary enrollment data for 2023 shows community college enrollment increased nationwide by more than 100,000 students, and a large percentage of them were from lower-income neighborhoods.

Tonya DeWitt, director of TRIO programs at Western Nebraska Community College, said the number of their students who qualify for the federally funded program designed to help students with economic and other challenges has increased.

TRIO students must be a first-generation college student, have a household income not exceeding 150% of the federal poverty guideline or have a disability. Participants receive academic assistance, and DeWitt pointed out many benefit from the Growth Mindset program.

"Instead of, 'I can't do it,' 'Well, you can't do it right now, sure, but you can,'" DeWitt explained, as an example of thought exercises to help students build a positive mindset. "And all those negative, immediate, 'Oh well, no, I can't do nursing.' 'Well, why is that?' 'I just can't?' 'Well, that's not true, so let's get to the bottom of it. Let's see what it is that's keeping you from being able to be successful.'"

DeWitt noted the academic supports include in-person tutoring, 24/7 virtual tutoring, study guides and online programs assisting with writing and research. She added the nursing program is very popular with TRIO students but interest in the college's offerings in the trades is also growing.

DeWitt emphasized the ability to access tutoring any hour of the day or night, including holidays, is huge for some of their TRIO students.

"We make sure that our students who are on the road with sports can access it while on the road, while they're doing their homework on the bus," DeWitt observed. "We have the ones that are single parents. In the middle of the night, that's when they're doing their homework."

Roughly 10% of the school's TRIO students are single parents and eligible for their Single Parents in Network, or SPiN program. It helps them with personal, academic and career issues. They can also access a "necessities" pantry in addition to the college's food pantry.

"Detergent or cleaning supplies for the house to make sure that it's a clean place for their children. We offer diapers and baby stuff, and we give backpacks to their kids so they can go to school," DeWitt outlined. "We offer some educational supplies for all students, but also others for our SPiN participants."

The Institute for Women's Policy Research reported a large percentage of college students who are parents face "enormous barriers to academic success," many of them economic.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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The nonprofit group Alabama Possible has received a U.S. Department of Education grant to help increase FAFSA completion rates among students in the state.

Currently, fewer than half of Alabama's graduating seniors have filled out the Free Application for Financial Student Aid. Delays and glitches in the government's rollout of a new FAFSA system are largely to blame.

Chandra Scott, executive director of Alabama Possible, said the state has experienced one of the largest year-over-year declines in FAFSA completion, which makes summer support urgent.

"Who's going to stand in the gap in answering the calls of these students? They have gone through enough," Scott asserted. "The last thing they need to be faced with is, 'I don't know who to call. I don't know who can help guide me through this process.' And we want to remove that."

The most recent data from the National College Attainment Network show only about 47% of high school seniors nationwide have completed the FAFSA form.

Scott pointed out the grant has enabled her organization to enhance its call center and add more staff to assist families. She emphasized the assistance will be available via phone, chat and on Zoom, to help ensure support reaches every corner of the state.

"And they really, literally, will walk alongside with them on those applications, question by question, to make sure that they get it done and they are confident about the process," Scott explained. "They even follow up to make sure that, you know, those emails they were supposed to receive, to make sure they receive them."

As some colleges in Pennsylvania and nationwide close their doors, one school in Erie has taken a big step toward making higher education more accessible and affordable.

Erie County Community College meets a need by serving an underserved county.

Chris Gray, president of the college, said the challenges of poverty and economic decline in the local area are being tackled in part, by creating a foundation to provide help to students with short-term, unexpected expenses, so they can stay in school and work toward their degrees and certificates.

"We call it an emergency fund," Gray explained. "It gives us a pot of money that allows us to step in and say, 'Hey, you've got this medical bill, you had to have a tooth pulled or whatever, it's 150 bucks.' Whether it's $50, $500 or $5,000, it's so out of reach for so many people that live in poverty. This allows us, through the generosity of our donors, to one time step in with that student and say, 'We're going to help you.'"

According to the school's website, the college offers affordable associate's degrees and technical certificate programs for jobs in fields with no requirement of a bachelor's degree.

Unlike many colleges, where enrollment is down, Gray noted their numbers have skyrocketed since opening in 2021. He pointed out they have had almost 600 students and are projecting enrollment of 700 to 800 this fall. He added some community funding has allowed some students to go to school at no cost.

"Through the generosity of the county government, we were able to waive tuition for the first two years," Gray noted. "And then, through the generosity of a private donor, the Susan B. Hagen Fund, we've been able to waive tuition for students. And it has had unbelievable results."

Gray pointed out along with the emergency fund, the college also offers scholarships, both recurring and one-time. He added in memory of his mother, they recently created an academic scholarship.

"That's a larger donation," Gray emphasized. "What we'll do off that is we'll basically use the interest, and every year with that donation, we'll be able to give out $1,000 to a student, for every year, for eternity."

Gray added the school is getting ready to do a major health care renovation, through a partnership between the county government and three hospital systems, which have committed more than $5 million to support the initiative.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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