Fox News Digital's 2025 coverage documented multiple campus controversies involving professors and administrators described as "radical." Key incidents included an arrest during an anti-ICE rally, faculty social-media posts responding to Charlie Kirk's killing, and recordings suggesting officials skirted DEI restrictions. Several employees resigned or were placed on leave, highlighting national debates over free speech, ideological influence and conduct in higher education.
2025 Year in Review: Campus Figures Branded 'Radical' — Key Incidents and Fallout
Year in review: The most radical college professors and administrators of 2025
Over 2025, Fox News Digital chronicled a series of campus controversies involving professors and administrators that the outlet characterized as "radical." The reporting highlighted clashes over Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies, inflammatory social-media posts, arrests at demonstrations and several personnel changes at U.S. colleges and universities.
Notable Incidents
Eman Abdelhadi — University of Chicago: Fox News Digital reported that associate professor Eman Abdelhadi was arrested on an aggravated assault charge during an anti-ICE demonstration in Chicago amid high-profile federal immigration actions. The outlet also noted Abdelhadi's public criticism of former Vice President Dick Cheney after his death.
Haywood Brown — University of South Florida: An unearthed recording reported by Fox News Digital showed Dr. Haywood Brown, associate vice president of academic affairs, describing ways to work around DEI restrictions while criticizing state and federal officials. Brown resigned after the story and statements from Florida leadership.
Megan Pugh — UNC Asheville: In an undercover video produced by Accuracy in Media and first published by Fox News Digital, the dean of students said, "I love breaking rules," and described keeping DEI work out of the spotlight. A university spokesperson later confirmed she is no longer employed by the school.
Reactions to Charlie Kirk's Killing: The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk prompted widespread campus responses that Fox News Digital covered extensively. Reported examples included social-media criticism from Chanda Prescod-Weinstein (University of New Hampshire) and a George Washington University administrator, Anthony Pohorilak, who was later dismissed after social posts that called the murder "fair." The outlet covered similar remarks and backlash at institutions including the University of Pennsylvania, Fort Hays State University and Louisiana State University.
Rutgers And Turning Point USA: Fox News Digital reported that Rutgers professor Tia Kolbaba signed an online petition seeking the disbandment of a campus Turning Point USA chapter, part of broader scrutiny of faculty activism at several schools.
Rutgers professor Mark Bray, UNC professor Dwayne Dixon, former USF professor Haywood Brown
Academic Freedom, Faith And Grading Disputes: At the University of Oklahoma, the outlet reported on a professor who uses she/they pronouns facing disciplinary review after failing a student, Samantha Fulnecky, on an essay that cited Christian beliefs. The case raised questions about academic standards, religious expression and faculty conduct.
Mark Bray — Rutgers: Fox News Digital covered the story of a Rutgers scholar nicknamed "Dr. Antifa," Mark Bray, who left the United States earlier in the year and is scheduled to teach a seminar on communism. Bray is known for his 2017 book, "Antifa: The Antifascist Handbook," and has previously written about controversial tactics such as doxing.
Dwayne Dixon — UNC Chapel Hill: In September the university placed a professor and member of a gun club on administrative leave; the school later reinstated Dwayne Dixon after finding no policy violations or threats to campus safety.
Wilbur Wright College Staffer: Video from a "No Kings" protest in Chicago showed a Wilbur Wright College staff member making violent remarks toward federal immigration agents. The college said it does not tolerate violence and that the staffer is no longer employed.
Gabriel Rodriguez — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Fox News Digital reported on leaked PowerPoint slides from a first-year education course that critics described as showing strong left-leaning perspectives on immigration, race and gender.
Wider Themes
Fox News Digital’s year-long coverage emphasized tensions between campus activism and public scrutiny, the politicization of DEI programming, and debates about free speech, professional conduct and the responsibilities of public institutions. Several faculty and staff members were placed on leave or left their positions following the reporting.
Reporting contributions: Peter D'Abrosca and Preson Mizell.
