TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has made five new appointments to the board governing the University of West Florida located in Pensacola. Among those appointed are two individuals connected to a conservative think tank that is instrumental behind Project 2025, a strategic initiative aimed at advancing far-right policies in the United States.

These latest appointments arrive two years following DeSantis’s selection of six board members for the New College of Florida, a decision that some critics labeled a political takeover of the institution, known for its progressive stance. The new board members for UWF include Adam Kissel, who serves as a visiting fellow focused on higher education reform for The Heritage Foundation, the organization responsible for proposing Project 2025 as a political blueprint. Prior to this role, Kissel was actively involved in the U.S. Department of Education during Donald Trump’s presidency.

Additionally, Scott Yenor has been appointed; he is a political science professor at Boise State University and previously held a position as a visiting fellow at The Heritage Project, specializing in American political thought. Other new board members are Paul Bailey, an adjunct professor within the pre-law program at Pensacola Christian College; Gates Garcia, who serves as president of Pinehill Capital Partners, a private equity firm; and Chris Young, the founder of the Perry & Young personal injury law firm.

These appointments will require confirmation from the Florida Senate, where Republicans maintain a significant majority. In the past year, the Senate opted against confirming one of DeSantis’s more controversial nominees for New College, while approving the remainder.

DeSantis has gained national attention by promoting contentious policies in Florida’s education system, which includes prohibiting discussions around sexual orientation and gender identity, eliminating diversity programs, and restricting how topics related to racism can be taught in schools.