Former Professor on How New College of Florida Lost Its Way

"Amy Reid spent more than 30 years at New College of Florida, where she served as a professor of French and the founder and director of the gender studies program. Her relatively secure employment as a tenured professor emboldened her to become one of the most outspoken critics of the conservative effort to transform NCF into a "Hillsdale College of the South," led by then-interim president Richard Corcoran, who was hired by a swath of conservative trustees installed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023."

"Last month, Corcoran denied a recommendation from the New College provost that Reid be granted emerita status at the college, citing Reid's advocacy for faculty and academic freedom, which he described as "hyperbolic alarmism and needless obstruction." In response, the New College Alumni Association Board of Directors made Reid an honorary alum. Since taking unpaid leave in August 2024 and then retiring a year later, Reid has brought her talents and penchant for advocacy to PEN America, a nonprofit focused on fighting education censorship and protecting press freedom."

Amy Reid served for more than 30 years at New College of Florida as a professor of French and as founder and director of the gender studies program. Tenure enabled vocal opposition to a conservative effort to reshape the college into a "Hillsdale College of the South" under interim president Richard Corcoran and trustees installed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023. Reid was elected faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, voted against Corcoran's permanent appointment, and resisted policies including using faculty to enforce gendered bathroom rules. Corcoran denied a provost recommendation for emerita status, calling Reid's advocacy "hyperbolic alarmism and needless obstruction." The alumni association conferred honorary alum status. Reid took unpaid leave in August 2024, retired a year later, and joined PEN America to combat education censorship and protect press freedom.

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