Prominent political aide named director of New College Foundation

Sydney Gruters, who has been a top aide for two Sarasota congressmen for more than a decade, has been named executive director and vice president of advancement for the New College of Florida Foundation. 

Gruters, who is married to State Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, comes to the position at New College during a time of transition for the school, known as Florida’s honors college. The crux of the changes stem from early January, when Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed six new board members for the public college. The board later named a new interim president, former Florida Speaker of the House Richard Corcoran, who was Florida education commissioner under DeSantis. Gruters starts her new position April 3.

"I'm thrilled to be working for such a prestigious institution under the leadership of President Corcoran," Gruters says in a statement. "The opportunity to continue to serve the community I love was simply too good to pass up. I look forward to ensuring that New College of Florida will have the tools and resources necessary to thrive in the months and years ahead."