New College of Florida abruptly fires Chinese adjunct professor

Kevin Wang came to Florida to teach a language he loved — and escape the political repression he feared. But just two years into his role at New College of Florida, the Chinese-born adjunct professor is now fleeing once again — this time, not because of Beijing, but Tallahassee.

After less than two years teaching at the once liberal arts institution, Wang was abruptly dismissed from his position at Sarasota's New College of Florida on March 12.

As the college continues its conservative reformation under Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's appointees, Wang’s firing could be one of the first terminations, both at New College and in the state, under Florida Senate Bill 846 — and sends a chilling signal about how immigration, politics, and education are colliding under Gov. Ron DeSantis' watch. Florida’s SB 846 — quietly signed into law in April 2023 — bars public colleges from hiring or retaining employees from countries like China without special state approval.

Who is Kevin Wang?

Wang’s story starts with a search for freedom. A former professor in his native country of China, Wang said he fled the country after criticizing the Communist Party. He was hired at New College of Florida in May 2023 to work on a contract as an adjunct professor only to be fired from his language teaching role in Sarasota due to a Florida law targeting immigrants from “countries of concern.”

https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2025/03/31/new-college-ousts-chinese-instructor-citing-new-florida-sb-846/82741503007/

Republican fascism is alive and well in DeSantis' Florida.