TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Political scientist Scott Yenor has long argued that colleges and universities undermine traditional American family structures by encouraging women to delay motherhood in favor of careers. His recent appointment by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to the Board of Trustees at the University of West Florida (UWF)—a public institution in Pensacola with around 14,000 students—has raised concerns about his proposed policy changes.

The appointment, which also includes four others, echoes DeSantis' controversial overhaul of New College of Florida two years ago, which critics labeled a political takeover. Yenor’s philosophy centers on a belief that the pursuit of higher education for women inhibits their roles as mothers. He stated, “If we want a great nation, we should be preparing young women to become mothers,” cautioning against encouraging women to postpone family in favor of career advancements. (AP News)

Yenor is a professor at Boise State University and a former fellow at The Heritage Foundation, known for advocating a hard-right shift in American policy. His criticisms extend to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he has termed “a grave and gathering danger to national unity.” He has also called for a reduction in certain educational disciplines, including African Diaspora Studies, and emphasized the need for women to refrain from joining fields traditionally dominated by men, such as engineering or medicine.

At the National Conservatism Conference in 2021, Yenor referred to women pursuing independence as “medicated, meddlesome and quarrelsome,” dismissing the importance of women’s achievements outside the home. “Every effort must be made not to recruit women into engineering, but rather to recruit and demand more of men who become engineers,” he asserted.

Yenor has not directly addressed inquiries regarding his controversial statements, yet he appears in full support of DeSantis' education agenda, which he claims will shape a healthier culture for the state.(Los Angeles Times)

His views have been met with significant backlash. Chasidy Hobbs, president of the faculty union at UWF, articulated her distress over his remarks. “My most important work of my life was being a mother,” she emphasized, noting that she also values her professional duties as critical in shaping future generations. Despite these concerns, she expressed willingness to collaborate with the newly installed board.

Julia Friedland, the deputy press secretary for Governor DeSantis, remarked that the new board members will "break the status quo" and refocus the university on its core educational mission. However, she did not address inquiries about Yenor's stance on women's roles in higher education.

The Florida Senate must confirm Yenor along with the other appointees to UWF's 13-member board, a process that remains under scrutiny from various stakeholders.