South Florida journalist Garrett Shanley has recently made national headlines with his latest article published in the University of Florida’s The Alligator. Shanley is a fourth-year journalism major and the Summer 2024 university editor for the publication, but his storytelling origins can be traced back to humble beginnings at Coral Springs Charter School. He first entered Paw Print as a naïve freshman and emerged as a senior, well-equipped to pursue his journalistic passions.
During his last year at Charter, Shanley was the editor-in-chief of Paw Print, effectively running the school’s newspaper program. Additionally, he served as the 2021 vice-chair of the Florida Scholastic Press Association (FSPA), a highly regarded statewide organization that supports high school journalism programs in Florida. By the time he graduated, Shanley was already seen as a promising young voice in the world of journalism.
Shanley credits his success to his Paw Print advisor, Kim Pekala. He explains, “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Kim Pekala. She hammers home the value of journalism and the responsibility of reporters to remain objective and speak truth to power.” Shanley’s leadership at Paw Print gave him a foundation to explore a variety of topics, from student life to political news, helping him discover his passion for reporting.
What began as a high school hobby quickly evolved into a profession, leading to his recent rise to national recognition for his investigative reporting with The Independent Florida Alligator. Shanley, spearheading a fully student-led effort, published his career-breaking piece in August 2024. His article exposed how former University of Florida president Ben Sasse concentrated millions of dollars into secretive contracts and high-paying positions for his political allies, raising questions about his reliability and leading to concerns of financial misconduct. The DeSantis Administration has recently called for an investigation into Sasse’s “exorbitant spending” of university funds.
The article was motivated by Shanley’s drive to uncover the truth about Sasse, as “after his first day, he went ‘missing.’ The public had no idea what he was up to.” This curiosity drove Shanley to dig deeper into financial records and uncover suspicious spending patterns under Sasse’s administration, in search of the answer to the question: “What was the cost of the Sasse era?”
This was a risky piece to write, as it directly challenged the university’s administration. Shanley knew that taking on a powerful institution like UF could result in personal and professional repercussions, yet he persevered, driven by his commitment to uncover the truth. While he faced backlash, including hate mail, he remained focused on his work. “One reader called it a ‘failed a-Sasse-ination attempt,’… but other publications have done a good job of crediting The Alligator’s work.” Overall, the college had a surprisingly warm reception to the piece. Shanley’s reporting professor, Mike “Mad Dog” Foley, warned, “There [would] be fallout.”
The revealing report went viral practically immediately after its publication and was recognized by some of the biggest newspapers across the state, including the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Reflecting on the overwhelming response, Shanley said, “It was the first time I really felt my reporting had an impact.” He has also made broadcast-media appearances on MSNBC and WLRN (South Florida) and has been featured by the Poynter Institute.
As he looks to the future, Shanley is set to further his journalism career with a new opportunity. This fall, he is starting an internship at the Chronicle of Higher Education, where he will continue to explore and report on pressing issues, informing the public on what might have otherwise stayed hidden. Looking back at his journey, Shanley is proud of his roots, “The Paw Print allowed me to dip my toes in a little bit of everything. I hope it sticks around for years to come.” With his track record, there’s little doubt that Shanley will make a significant mark in his new role, continuing to shine a light on important stories. This Charter alumnus is surely making a name for himself in the world of journalism.
