The College of Central Florida Reaffirms Commitment to Academic Excellence, Student Success and Florida’s Higher Education Priorities
In response to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s August 3, 2026, National Call to Action to University Presidents and Governing Boards, College of Central Florida stands with Florida’s public higher education institutions in affirming the principles outlined in Commissioner of Education Henry Mack’s August 18, 2026, systemwide response.
College of Central Florida is committed to providing affordable, high-quality education that strengthens critical thinking, builds practical skills, and prepares students for continued education or meaningful employment.
Transparency and Merit in Admissions
College of Central Florida is an open access institution and we maintain transparent, mission-aligned admissions practices consistent with applicable law and institutional policy. Admissions requirements, program-specific criteria, and academic expectations are communicated through official college resources, including the college website (CF.edu) and catalog (catalog.cf.edu).
Admissions and limited access program decisions are based on established criteria and relevant qualifications. Transparency also extends beyond the initial admissions decision, with information provided to students about program completion, transfer pathways, and career opportunities.
Free Speech and Open Inquiry
College of Central Florida affirms free speech and open inquiry as essential to a strong educational environment. At CF, students and employees are empowered to ask difficult questions, challenge assumptions, evaluate evidence, consider differing perspectives, pursue knowledge through reasoned inquiry, and engage in respectful debate without being required to conform to a particular ideological position.
CF has established policies and procedures to maintain an environment in which instruction, academic activities, campus events, and the ordinary operations of the college can proceed without threats, violence, harassment, or disruption. To achieve this environment, CF will continue to apply its established policies and procedures concerning student conduct, campus activities, facility use, and disruptive behavior in accordance with applicable law and the rights of those involved.
Intellectual Pluralism and Academic Vitality
College of Central Florida recognizes intellectual pluralism as an important component of academic vitality. We encourage students to develop conclusions through independent thought and disciplined inquiry. Faculty members play an essential role in this process by designing instruction that engages students in substantive learning and helps them distinguish credible evidence from unsupported claims.
CF hires, maintains, and evaluates a qualified faculty based on professional qualifications, expertise, performance, institutional needs, and applicable requirements. Coursework encompasses institutional and state general education competencies with rigorous curricula, and CF continuously assesses its academic programs to ensure the academic standards and learning outcomes continue to meet the requirements of university transfer, continuing education, employment and licensure.
The college also promotes integrity through ethical practices, appropriate oversight, evidenced-based decision making, responsible stewardship of public resources, and alignment with educational, workforce, and community needs.
Affordability, Value, and Student Outcomes
College of Central Florida believes that a high-quality college education should be affordable, accessible, and impactful to students, families, employers, and the broader community. CF prides itself on the fact that we are consistently ranked nationally for affordability, and because of that approximately 75% of our graduates complete their programs with zero student loan debt. We are equally resolute in providing financial and career services to students who do borrow to support timely completion and informed financial decisions.
The college will continue to communicate information about tuition, fees, financial aid, program requirements, educational pathways, completion and transfer rates and employment. CF also seeks efficiencies and strategies that reduce unnecessary costs and help students complete their programs without unnecessary delays or expenses.
Academic Standards and Rigor in the Age of AI
College of Central Florida maintains high academic standards through qualified faculty, clear student learning objectives, meaningful assessments, and continuous improvement in teaching and learning. Students are expected to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, critical thinking, and competencies associated with their courses and credentials.
Recognizing that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education and the workplace, CF supports its responsible and ethical use to enhance learning, productivity, and workforce preparation. CF will continue to evaluate instructional practices, assessment methods, and professional development to support responsible AI use while preserving meaningful academic rigor.
Safeguarding Integrity from Malign Foreign Influence
College of Central Florida is committed to protecting academic programs, institutional partnerships, and public resources from foreign influence. We comply with federal and Florida requirements for foreign gifts, contracts, funding, partnerships, and affiliations including safeguards involving designated foreign countries of concern.
CF will continue coordinating academics, grants, compliance, funding sources, procurement, contracts, information technology and security, and legal functions to clarify responsibilities and address potential concerns to support public trust, meet its obligations as a public institution, and keep its activities focused on student success, academic excellence, and service to Florida and the nation.
Prioritizing American Interests, Workforce Needs and National Prosperity
As a regional state college, College of Central Florida contributes to American prosperity by preparing Floridians for careers, further education, military and public service, and informed citizenship. Our programs use trusted labor market data to address regional and state workforce needs through collaboration with employers, industry partners, public agencies, school districts, universities, and community organizations.
Across industries, CF prioritizes programs aligned with documented workforce demand and credentials of value as defined by the statewide Master Credential List. The statewide Career and Technical Education audit supports program quality, workforce relevance, and return on educational investment.
This commitment reflects the Florida College System’s statutory responsibility to meet local educational needs and promote economic development, civic literacy, technical expertise, academic knowledge, and knowledge of American government and constitutional principles needed to contribute to their communities and the nation.
Our Continuing Commitment
The College of Central Florida embraces this opportunity to share our principles on these important issues and reaffirms our commitment to serving our community by being the first choice for quality higher education.