New College of Florida continues to pursue the world’s best undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and provide them with an outstanding educational experience.
Our mission is defined by uncompromising academic excellence. We uphold the highest standards of teaching, research, and scholarship, while fostering a community of distinguished faculty and intellectually ambitious students. We prepare graduates not only to solve complex problems but to lead with insight, integrity, and vision.
NCF’s Academic Mission
Guided by the Office of the Provost, New College unites its divisions and academic programs in a shared commitment to student achievement. We ensure that every student receives the support to thrive academically, graduate on time, and engage fully in a rigorous honors education. Intellectual inquiry, innovation, and global responsibility are woven into each stage of the academic journey, cultivating life-long learners prepared to shape the world around them. Through continuous improvement and an unshakable focus on academic excellence, we equip graduates with the knowledge, skills, and integrity to lead in their fields, enrich their communities, and contribute to the advancement of human understanding.
Academic Excellence By The Bay
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Academic Catalog
The Center for Global Engagement works to lead, coordinate, and support the university’s strategies for global education, research, and engagement.
General Education
Explore New College’s general education requirements and academic expectations for undergraduate study.
Academic Contract
Institutional Effectiveness ensures academic rigor through overseeing the accreditation process and assessment of NCF’s academic programs.
Student Assessment Policy
The Division of Student Success at NCF works to maximize each scholar’s academic experience by understanding and supporting their unique strengths.
Academic Honor & Guidelines
Quality student learning and experiences begin with exceptional faculty and instructors. NCF provides resources to help faculty strengthen their teaching efforts.
Ignite Your Curiosity
At New College of Florida, we believe that an Honors education is more than coursework — it is an immersive experience that prepares students to thrive long after graduation. Our academic programs, faculty, and campus community work in concert to provide rigorous instruction, individualized mentorship, and opportunities that integrate classroom learning with research, internships, and co-curricular engagement.
SARASOTA, Fla. — New College of Florida announced the significant donation of segments of the Berlin Wall, one of the most consequential physical symbols of oppression and division in modern history. The generous donation made by philanthropist Dr. Jack Jawitz represents the East German side of the Wall that once divided East and West Berlin and stood as a global emblem of communist tyranny during the Cold War.
New College will recognize the donation throughout the coming year, which began with a press conference and Socratic Stage event on May 5 with Peter Robinson – the author of Ronald Reagan’s famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech. NCF will next mark the 39th anniversary of that same speech this June, culminating in a major public event marking the 40th anniversary in 2027. The commemoration will include academic programming, public lectures, and campus dialogue centered on freedom, the lessons of history, and the enduring responsibility to promote and defend free societies.
“These authentic segments of the Berlin Wall are witnesses to the horrors of communism,” said New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran. “May the Wall remind us what happens when speech is silenced, dissent is punished, and ideology is enforced by force. New College is honored to steward this history and to ensure it serves as a permanent educational reminder of the triumph of freedom over oppression.”
The donated sections are from the East German side of the Berlin Wall. These surfaces were rarely seen or touched during the Cold War, offering students and visitors a uniquely preserved perspective of life behind the Iron Curtain. Rapidly dismantled after the fall of communist rule and German reunification, the segments collectively represent one of the world’s largest collections of the remnants of the Berlin Wall.
Dr. Jack Jawitz, the donor of the Wall segments, described the gift as a commitment to historical truth and civic responsibility.
“The Berlin Wall represented a system that feared free thought and controlled human lives through force,” Jawitz said. “Placing these original segments at New College ensures that future generations will confront the realities of communism, understand the cost of freedom, and appreciate the courage it took to dismantle that system.”
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute praised the donation and its educational significance.
“President Reagan understood that freedom is sustained not only by policy, but by moral clarity and courage,” said Richard Schroeder, chief education programming officer of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. “His words at the Brandenburg Gate gave voice to millions who lived behind the Iron Curtain and helped hasten the collapse of a failed and oppressive ideology. Housing these authentic Berlin Wall segments at New College ensures that this history is not only remembered, but meaningfully taught.”
The donation also underscores New College’s growing national role as a center for rigorous academic inquiry and open dialogue. Through programs such as Cold War Studies and the Markovitz Socratic Stage Series on Free Speech and Civil Discourse, New College has emerged as a leader in fostering debate that is both fearless, civil, grounded in evidence and history with respect for differing viewpoints.
“To study the Cold War is to examine how ideas became weapons and how close the world came to destruction,” said Mitchel Ruzek, Ph.D., a New College historian. “Having these original segments of the Berlin Wall on campus transforms history from abstraction into experience. Students will be able to engage directly with the physical reality of ideological division and apply those lessons to today’s global challenges.”
Gary Powers, Jr., son of CIA U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers and Chairman of The Cold War Museum, emphasized the broader meaning of the gift.
“The Berlin Wall was a concrete manifestation of fear, control, and the suppression of human dignity,” Powers said. “Its collapse marked a decisive defeat of communism’s claim over the human spirit and millions of people. By preserving these eastern segments, New College is creating a living classroom that teaches why freedom matters, and what is lost when it disappears.”
About the Donation
- Donor: Dr. Jack Jawitz
- Gift: The largest collection of the East German side of the Berlin Wall in the world.
- Historical Significance: Rarely seen sections from behind the Iron Curtain, preserved following German reunification.
- Stewardship: New College of Florida will permanently maintain and display the segments for educational and public purposes.
- Commemoration: Recognition throughout 2026–27, culminating in a major public event marking the 40th anniversary of President Reagan’s 1987 Berlin Wall speech. In 2029, there will be a celebration coinciding with the 40th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall falling.
As New College prepares to receive and display this historic donation, the institution reaffirmed its mission to educate students not only in knowledge, but in responsibility.
“Freedom is not inherited automatically,” President Corcoran said. “It must be taught, defended, and renewed by each generation. This gift ensures that our students, and the nation, never forget what it took to tear down that wall, and why we must never allow another to rise.”
About New College of Florida
Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and serves as Florida’s Honors College. Recognized for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science and Marine Mammal Science, and a growing NAIA athletics program.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact:
Jamie Miller
Vice President of Communications and Chief Marketing Officer
New College of Florida
[email protected]
(Bradenton, Fla., Mar. 6, 2026) – Students in Manatee and Sarasota counties now have a clearer, more confident path to earning a bachelor’s degree in high-demand fields such as marine biology, chemistry, psychology, and economics. Through a new partnership between State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) and New College of Florida (NCF), eligible SCF students are guaranteed admission to New College after completing an associate in arts (A.A.) degree.
For students and families, the program reduces uncertainty and creates a clear academic roadmap. Those who complete their A.A. degree at SCF within two and a half years and maintain a 3.0 GPA are assured admission to New College, Florida’s public honors college. Instead of navigating a competitive transfer process, students can plan their coursework with confidence from day one.
The partnership, known as the Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP), strengthens the region’s commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable higher education. By creating a direct pathway between SCF and NCF, the institutions are opening doors for students who may not have previously considered attending a selective honors institution.
The impact extends beyond individual students. By helping students complete both degrees locally, the partnership supports Manatee and Sarasota counties workforce and economic development. Local industries in science, health care, environmental research, and technology benefit when talented graduates are still in the community to launch their careers.
Marine biology is one example of how the pathway aligns with the region’s strengths. In a coastal community shaped by its marine environment, students studying marine biology gain direct connections to conservation efforts, water quality research, and coastal sustainability initiatives along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“We are excited to formalize this partnership between New College of Florida and State College of Florida. As Florida’s public honors college, New College offers a rigorous, individualized liberal arts education designed for highly motivated students. This collaboration strengthens educational pathways for students across the Sarasota-Manatee region and reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunity, academic excellence, and community impact,” said Dr.David Rohrbacher, Provost, and Vice President of Academic Affairs at New College.
Florida’s statewide 2+2 articulation system allows students to transfer from state colleges to public universities. This SCF-NF pathway builds on that foundation by providing a confirmed admission route for eligible students, along with potential scholarship opportunities, ensuring hat academic ambition is matched with opportunity close to home.
For more information or to apply to SCF, visit SCF.edu.
TEACHERS, BECOME A LIBERTY FELLOW
Professional Development Opportunity for Educators in Grades 5-12
Teachers, a new professional development opportunity continues on September 17, 2026! New College of Florida is proud to announce a transformative project funded by the U.S. Department of Education for teachers in grades 5-12. Our grant, Invigorating Liberty and Self-Governance: First Principles for 21st Century America, honors the United States Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of America, and the Declaration of Independence. NCF’s program offers local teachers and students the opportunity to connect deeply with the ideas and principles that shaped our nation, and to cultivate habits of liberty and self-governance that will sustain our republic.
TEACHER STIPEND & ELIGIBILITY
- $1,000 Stipend: Participating teachers are eligible for a $1,000 stipend.
- Continuing Education Credit: An opportunity for participating teachers to earn hours toward professional education requirements.
- Completion Requirement: To qualify for the stipend, participants must complete at least 80% of the scheduled program hours and a pre- and post-test.
- Commitment: Teachers commit to one year of the program at a time.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
This three-year initiative includes:
- Engage with Scholars & Peers: Build a professional network of up to 50 colleagues.
- Digital Resources: Digital learning materials designed for use in your classroom.
- Summer Experiences: Summer Institute experience offering immersive learning at New College.
- Duration: 80 hours.
In the second year, the Liberty Fellows cohort will examine how America’s founding principles adapted to the turbulent political, economic, and scientific shifts of the 19th and early 20th centuries. As the nation faced drastic domestic and international changes, these core ideals were tested in novel and significant ways.
The curriculum is designed to deepen understanding of the major dynamics that defined this era and fueled America’s rise to prominence, including: civil & political rights, geopolitical competition in the Americas, European migration, socio-cultural impact of new scientific discoveries, the impact of formal property rights, and industrialization.
The project is led by New College professors Casey Wheatland, David Ellis, and Richard Izquierdo.
Applications are now open!
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity.
Year 1 Program Highlights
This program is funded in part by a grant from the United State Department of Education. Grant Award Number S422C250038 – 25A
SARASOTA, Fla. (September 2025) — Dr. Athena Rycyk, Associate Professor in New College of Florida’s Marine Mammal Science program, has received a federal Sea Grant award of more than $330,000 to lead innovative research on marine species in the Gulf of America.
The project, titled “The Development of a Cost-Effective and Scalable Protected Species Monitoring Plan for the Velella Epsilon and Future Finfish Aquaculture Projects in the Gulf of America,” will provide critical insights into how dolphins and other marine wildlife use offshore habitats in connection with the first offshore finfish net-pen project of its kind in the Gulf.
Conducted in collaboration with NOAA Fisheries and Ocean Era, Inc., the research will develop a scalable monitoring plan for marine species including bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins before, during, and after the year-long deployment of the Velella Epsilon project, located approximately 45 miles southwest of Sarasota.
“This project will support graduate student research on offshore dolphin species,” said Dr. Rycyk. “Their work will expand our understanding of these understudied populations, especially in the context of developing offshore activities. Dolphins are a vital part of the Gulf ecosystem, and this project will help us better understand how they use offshore habitats alongside emerging aquaculture efforts.”
In addition to advancing marine mammal science, the project will provide hands-on thesis opportunities for graduate students in New College’s Marine Mammal Science master’s program. Students will gain experience in study design, survey techniques, and behavioral response analysis, strengthening their training as emerging scientists.
“By engaging directly with protected species research, students are gaining the scientific foundation needed to become leaders in marine conservation,” Dr. Rycyk added. “Because this is the first offshore net-pen project of its kind in the Gulf, the data we collect will be foundational for both marine mammal science and aquaculture planning moving forward.”
This award underscores New College’s growing national role in marine mammal and conservation science, while ensuring that graduate students are at the forefront of pioneering, applied research.
“This groundbreaking project builds on New College’s proud legacy as a leader in marine mammal research,” said New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran. “Dr. Rycyk’s work not only advances scientific understanding of our Gulf waters but also provides our students with unmatched opportunities to engage in research that has both regional and global impact. It is this combination of innovation and hands-on learning that continues to distinguish New College as Florida’s Honors College.”
About the Marine Mammal Science Program at New College of Florida
The Marine Mammal Science master’s program at New College of Florida is one of the nation’s only graduate programs dedicated to the study of marine mammals. Based on the Gulf Coast, the program provides students with immersive, field-based research opportunities, advanced coursework in ecology and conservation, and close mentorship from faculty experts. Graduates go on to careers in research, wildlife management, conservation policy, and higher education, contributing to the stewardship of marine ecosystems worldwide.
SARASOTA, FL, UNITED STATES, August 14, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — New College of Florida’s Marine Mammal Science program is at the forefront of a pioneering neuroscience discovery. In a study published in PLOS One—Lateralized Cerebellar Connectivity Differentiates Auditory Pathways in Echolocating and Non-Echolocating Whales—Marine Mammal Science student Sophie Flem, alongside Associate Professor Peter Cook, collaborated with researchers from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, UC Berkeley, and Oxford University to map brain pathways for hearing in different whale species.
This study was the first to use brain network imaging to directly compare auditory brain organization between echolocating (such as dolphins) and non-echolocating whales (like sei whales). The study showed that the strongest difference between these species was in the strength of connection between auditory and cerebellar brain regions, which were much denser in the echolocating dolphins. The cerebellum is a brain region specialized for rapid combination of sensory and motor signals to allow for rapid, time-pressured movement based on prediction. In other words, the dolphins may be using echolocation to build up a type of educated guess of where their fish prey are going, so they can get there ahead of time to intercept them. Many scientists have theorized that enhanced auditory processing has contributed to the evolution of dolphins’ and baleen whales’ uniquely big brains – by far the largest on the planet.
“Our research sought to understand how the pathways for auditory information differed between echolocating and non-echolocating whales,” said Sophie Flem, lead author and inaugural Marine Mammal Science Master’s student at New College. “In humans, primates, rodents, and dogs, we have well established maps of what parts of the brain contribute to what kind of processing. We don’t yet have those in dolphin brains, which are strikingly unusual compared to terrestrial animal brains.”
This research highlights New College’s growing reputation in cutting-edge marine science. The Marine Mammal Science Master’s program offers exceptional, hands-on opportunities for graduate students to lead original research in marine mammal science and conservation.
Sophie Flem and Dr. Peter Cook acknowledge the invaluable partnership with institutions such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, UC Berkeley, and Oxford University. Read more about the collaboration – X-MOLPhys.org
About New College of Florida
Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and serves as Florida’s Honors College. Recognized for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science and Marine Mammal Science, and a growing NAIA athletics program.
Photo Caption: Study co-authors Andrew Rouse (UC Santa Cruz), Dr. Peter Cook (New College of Florida), and graduate student Carson Hood with California sea lion Ronan. Photo credit: Colleen Reichmuth. NMFS 23554
SARASOTA, FL — Sarasota’s New College of Florida continues to shape the future of marine mammal science with the release of a groundbreaking study led by comparative neuroscientist Dr. Peter Cook and Master’s student Carson Hood. Published in Scientific Reports—the fifth most-cited journal in the world—the peer-reviewed article demonstrates that a trained California sea lion named Ronan can match—and even outperform—humans in keeping a musical beat.
The study, titled “Sensorimotor synchronization to rhythm in an experienced sea lion rivals that of humans,” was co-authored by Cook, Hood, Andrew Rouse of UC Santa Cruz, and Colleen Reichmuth who runs the UCSC pinniped lab where Ronan lives. It highlights Ronan’s extraordinary precision in rhythm synchronization, with timing variability as small as five to ten milliseconds—roughly the duration of a tenth of an eyeblink.
“She is incredibly precise,” said Dr. Cook, who leads the Comparative Cognition Lab at New College. “Ronan continues to challenge what we know about how non-human animals perceive rhythm and pattern. She’s hitting the rhythmic bullseye again and again—and doing so as consistently as, or better than, humans.”
The implications of the research extend far beyond entertainment. The study contributes to the emerging field of biomusicality, which explores how species perceive music-like qualities such as rhythm and beat. This work raises critical questions about the evolution of cognition, the universality of rhythm recognition, and the shared brain mechanisms that underlie musicality, cognition, and consciousness across species.
For Carson Hood, a student in the inaugural class of New College’s Master’s in Marine Mammal Science, this marks the program’s first published student paper.
“As a graduate student here, I get to explore the questions I care most about—alongside professors who are approachable, experienced, and deeply dedicated to this field,” said Hood. “What makes this study so meaningful is that by learning how animals like Ronan process rhythm, we begin to uncover the deeper patterns that connect species—and ultimately, how our brains make sense of the world.”
New College’s interdisciplinary Marine Mammal Science MS program is the only one of its kind in the U.S. With Sarasota Bay at its doorstep, and faculty like Dr. Cook leading the way, the college is fast becoming one of the top destinations for students interested in marine mammal science.
“This is exactly what New College is built for,” said Dr. Cook. “Curious students. Big questions. Deep research and science.”
The study has already attracted national and international media attention, including coverage from The New York Times, Popular Science, BBC, and the San Francisco Chronicle.
The full article is available via Scientific Reports.
Listen to the New College podcast episode discussing the study
About New College of Florida
Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and serves as Florida’s Honors College. Recognized for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science and Marine Mammal Science, and a growing NAIA athletics program.
Dr. Morrison is an I/O psychologist who primarily studies employee well-being, organizational
leadership, remote work, and feedback culture. She also has professional consulting experience
in the areas of training design, onboarding, succession planning, and employee assessment.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT?
New College is an honors college, so you should expect high academic standards—but also a high level of support. You’ll have close mentorship from faculty and the flexibility to shape your own academic path, making it a great place if you’re curious, motivated, and want to take ownership of your education.
WHAT MAKES NEW COLLEGE OF
FLORIDA SO UNIQUE?
New College of Florida stands out for its small class sizes, narrative evaluations instead of traditional grades, and strong emphasis on independent research. Combined with its location on Sarasota Bay, it creates a close-knit, academically rigorous, and uniquely student-driven learning environment.
What made you decide to teach at New College of Florida?
As an alum of New College, I had a formative experience in the psychology program and with its faculty. When the opportunity arose to return as a professor, it felt like a natural fit. I especially value the chance to know my students personally and support their academic, career, and personal development.
SARASOTA , FL, UNITED STATES, April 18, 2025 — New College of Florida (NCF) and South Florida State College (SFSC) have signed a new articulation agreement, officially welcoming SFSC as the latest partner in the NCF Transform Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP). The agreement, signed Monday, April 14, ensures a seamless transfer pathway for SFSC students earning an Associate in Arts (AA) degree to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree at New College. This strategic partnership opens new doors for SFSC students seeking a top-tier liberal arts education within Florida’s public higher education system.
“We are excited to partner with New College and afford our students an efficient pathway to pursue a bachelor’s degree of their choice,” said Fred Hawkins, president of South Florida State College. “This agreement represents our shared commitment to student success and expanding access to world-class education across the state.”
“New College is ranked among the most transfer-friendly institutions in the country, and we’re proud to extend that reputation with this partnership,” said Richard Corcoran, president of New College of Florida. “SFSC students now have a direct line to Florida’s public honors college—and the opportunity to thrive in a dynamic, intellectually rigorous environment.”
To qualify for NCF Transform, SFSC students must complete their AA within eight semesters and hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of transfer. Students can pursue bachelor’s degrees in a variety of academic concentrations including Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Liberal Arts, Marine Biology, and Psychology.
Through NCF Transform, students receive personalized joint advising and customized academic planning to help them complete their degrees within two years of transfer. Participants in the program are also eligible for generous scholarship opportunities—including annual awards of up to $10,000, renewable for two years—for high-achieving students.
The partnership underscores New College’s commitment to academic excellence and broadening access to Florida’s most distinctive liberal arts experience.
For more information about the Associate in Arts degree at SFSC, visit southflorida.edu or email [email protected].
Learn more about NCF Transform at ncf.edu/transfer.
ABOUT NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA
Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and serves as Florida’s Honors College. Recognized for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science and Marine Mammal Science, and a growing NAIA athletics program.
ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE
South Florida State College (SFSC) is a comprehensive, open-access, higher education institution dedicated to providing a student-centered environment focused on learning and personal enrichment through quality programs and services. At its campuses in DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties and through its online presence, the College offers certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees that lead to the continued success of its graduates and a variety of opportunities for the educational, cultural, and economic advancement of the service district. SFSC is one of the 28 institutions of the Florida College System.
SARASOTA, FL, UNITED STATES, April 8, 2025 — On Saturday, April 5, the New College of Florida campus came alive with the sound of ideas in motion. As host of the 2025 Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championship, New College welcomed more than 800 students, educators, and families for a powerful day of discourse, debate, and civic engagement.
The event was more than a debate championship—it was a gathering of critical thinkers engaged in civil dialogue and the exchange of ideas, reflecting the New College spirit of leadership. Students from across Florida gathered to discuss ideas, challenge assumptions, and strengthen the skills that will prepare them to govern America and change the world.
“To hear these young minds grapple with real-world issues, and to see the depth of thought and respect they bring to the table—that’s exactly the spirit we stand for at New College,” said President Richard Corcoran. “This is a campus built for meaningful conversation and fearless inquiry, and hosting the FCDI Championship was a true honor.”
Throughout the day, students debated some of the most pressing public policy questions of our time—on privacy, governance, education, and free speech—with clarity, poise, and passion. These young scholars brought not just facts, but perspective—and did so with the respect and humility that define true leadership.
“The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is an incredible opportunity for students to participate in civil discourse and learn about civic engagement,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “I am proud of every student that participated in this year’s championship and I want to thank New College of Florida for hosting this event.”
New College reaffirmed its role as Florida’s Public Honors College and as a national model for academic rigor, free expression, and community-centered education. The day concluded with an exciting Bayfront awards ceremony—a powerful reminder of what happens when brilliant young minds come together in the spirit of civil discourse and friendly competition.
“Many of the students who came to campus this weekend will go on to lead in law, business, education, public service, science, the arts, and beyond,” said President Corcoran. “To host them here, in a space where bold thinking is not just allowed but encouraged, is a privilege—and a glimpse into the future.”
As a liberal arts institution committed to cultivating leaders who are intellectually curious, ethically grounded, and socially engaged, New College continues to serve as a home for students who challenge the status quo and move the earth.
About New College of Florida
Founded in 1960, New College of Florida is a top-ranked public liberal arts college and serves as Florida’s Honors College. Recognized for its academic excellence, rigorous inquiry, and commitment to free expression, New College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, graduate programs in Applied Data Science and Marine Mammal Science, and a growing NAIA athletics program.
About the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative
The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative is dedicated to expanding access to civics and debate education, empowering students with the tools of critical thinking, civil discourse, and civic responsibility across the state of Florida.