Podcasts about academic renewal

The success of the classical education movement continues to generate headlines in major publications and the support among parents hoping to see better educational options for their students continues to grow. As the number of classical schools continues to increase, whether they are charter schools, independent private, or parochial schools, people are now debating the extent to which, if any, classical education is (or should be) aligned with a political tradition and affiliation.Classical educators say they are offering a traditional liberal arts education–does that make classical education liberal? Classical educators say they are conserving the intellectual inheritance of the Western tradition–does that make classical education “conservative” in the Edmund Burke valued tradition, a sense of place, and one's intellectual inheritance?Could a content-rich education rooted in the great books of the Western canon, books that molded the minds of the Founding Fathers and history's greatest thinkers and leaders, produce a new generation who may cultivate the same opinions and values as such leaders concerning suspicion of government power, individual rights and freedoms based on the imago dei, and a regard for the truth, virtue, and liberty? This panel is intended to investigate these questions and the extent to which classical education is conservative and where along the conservative tradition we may find such principles. Jenna Robinson (Ph.D) is the president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal in Raleigh, NC. Jake Noland (Ph.D) serves as the Dean of Faculty at St. Thomas More Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina. Robert Luddy is the president of CaptiveAire Systems and the founder of Thales Academy. This panel was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Rolesville Junior High-High School on October 4, 2024. Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.

John J. Miller is joined by Graham Hillard of the James C. Martin Center for Academic Renewal to discuss Ian Fleming's 'Casino Royale.'

In this episode, we discuss activism in science. How do political and personal values affect science? When is activism just part of the job? And should one be careful about activism in the classroom? Enjoy.     Shownotes:  Frisby, C. L., Redding, R. E., & O'Donohue, W. T. (2023). Ideological and Political Bias in Psychology: An Introduction. In Ideological and Political Bias in Psychology: Nature, Scope, and Solutions (pp. 1-14). Cham: Springer International Publishing. McCaughey, M. (2023). The Trouble with Scholar-Activists. AAUP.  McCaughey, M. (2024). Against Scholar Activists. The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.  Honeycutt, N., & Jussim, L. (2023). Political bias in the social sciences: A critical, theoretical, and empirical review. Ideological and Political Bias in Psychology: Nature, Scope, and Solutions, 97-146. Sargent, R. M. (2012). From Bacon to Banks: The vision and the realities of pursuing science for the common good. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, 43(1), 82-90. Weber, M. (1946). Science as a Vocation. In Science and the Quest for Reality (pp. 382-394). London: Palgrave Macmillan UK.  

ANTHONY HENNEN OF THE CENTER SQUARE JOINS DAWN LIVE! ANTHONY SHARES HIS PERSPECTIVE ON ALL OF THE LATEST PENNSYLVANIA HEADLINES INCLUDING.... Outdoor recreation gets another state-sponsored pitchTCS Shapiro PA FranklinOn RV tour, Shapiro talks up America's 250th celebrationIFO projects $700M growth in general revenue next yearShapiro family embarks on RV trip for tourism campaignGross receipts tax rare nationwide, but not in PennsylvaniaSenate session recordings publicly inaccessiblePennsylvania's licensed recovery homes hit 350REAL ID uptake only 21%; PennDOT halves answering time on callsState may ban non-compete agreements for doctors, nursesRural Revitalization Commission could cost $130,000Shapiro bets $11M on site development for major business expansion Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in weekdays 10 AM - 12 PM EST on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

ANTHONY HENNEN OF THE CENTER SQUARE JOINS DAWN LIVE! BREAKING DOWN HIS LATEST REPORTS.... Cry for free speech as pro-Palestine encampment spreads to PennPennsylvania's innovation economy remains challengedPennsylvania follows Canada's lead on weedOlsommer wins special election to fill Adams' seatHigher ed reform plan meant to "grow PA" workforceFeds power Pennsylvania solar with $156MPennsylvania wants to lead a national rural revivalPA Game Commission head resigns after 'business relationships' revealedReport: New Jersey's energy plan to go green built on 'magical thinking'Opioid trust approves most county projects, $41 million unspent Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in weekdays 10 AM - 12 PM EST on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

ANTHONY HENNEN OF THE CENTER SQUARE JOINS DAWN LIVE! ANTHONY EXPANDS ON HIS LATEST PA HEADLINES INCLUDING...  Federal solar subsidies race on in PennsylvaniaFederal rules push well plugging cost to $100,000Poll: Pennsylvanians want low energy prices above all elseMarijuana legalization: 'Do not under-resource those regulators'Pennsylvania launches Outdoor Business Alliance'This is what America was built on:' more housing, less red tapeFeds send $90M for largest Pennsylvania solar project yetPennsylvania's conservative push for Latino votersOrphan well plugging scrutinized for cost inflation, bad data Read more from Anthony on TheCenterSquare.com Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in weekdays 10 AM - 12 PM EST on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

ANTHONY HENNEN OF THE CENTER SQUARE JOINS DAWN LIVE! ANTHONY EXPANDS ON HIS LATEST - INCLUDING ZONING AND THE HOUSING CRISIS IN PA - THE NEW PROPOSED GUN SAFETY BILL - AND REPORTS ON THE ORPHAN WELL PLUGGING PROJECT THAT COULD CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS...  Restrictive zoning could spark 'major' housing shortage Gun tax-funded public safety bill in legislative limbo It's 'Groundhog Day' for permitting reform in Pennsylvania Report: Plugging orphan wells in Appalachia could create 16,000 jobs Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

ANTHONY HENNEN OF THE CENTER SQUARE JOINS DAWN LIVE! ANTHONY EXPANDS ON HIS LATEST REPORTS INCLUDING... Pennsylvania prison overtime costs climb $40M over two years Hunters up, harvest down for Pennsylvania black bears Opioid crisis 'not a situation that can be solved by the police' A third of fatal drug crashes in Philadelphia linked to fentanyl New local taxes eyed for mass transit financial woes State college system still in the dark about higher ed reform plan Pennsylvania sends $6M for homeless services, emergency housing Anthony Hennen (Hen-nen) is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in weekdays 10 AM - 12 PM EST on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

ANTHONY HENNEN OF THE CENTER SQUARE JOINS DAWN LIVE -  ANTHONY EXPANDS ON HIS LATEST ARTICLE REGARDING HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF PA...  Critics worry of PASSHE's ‘continuing woes' during a decade of change Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!  

ANTHONY HENNEN OF THE CENTER SQUARE JOINS DAWN LIVE!  Anthony expands on his latest reports: American Water audit finds savings amid rate hike investigation Mayor says Philadelphia will 'no longer be a Tale of Two Cities" Philadelphia mayor takes on sky-high rents Treasury touts cost-cutting, return of military medals Pennsylvania's SNAP benefits up 76% since 2019 LINK TO ANTHONY'S ARTICLES - Read Here! Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

ANTHONY HENNEN OF THE CENTER SQUARE JOINS DAWN LIVE! ANTHONY EXPANDS ON THE PA FOCUS AROUND E.V.'S AND HIS RECENT STORY ON LEGISLATION... ANTHONY ALSO EXPANDS ON ROAD SAFETY IN PHILA... PA ELECTION OFFICIALS.... AND MCCORMIC CHINA REPORTS... AMONG OTHER THINGS... LATEST REPORTS BELOW... Despite concerns, $290 electric vehicle fee proposal advancesRisk manager: Road design, not speed limit, key to stopping pedestrian deathsPennsylvania's loss of county election officials raises concerns about errorsThe other educational programs funded by school tax creditsMcCormick called Pennsylvania's ‘China hawk' Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

This week on Family Policy Matters, host Traci DeVette Griggs welcomes Jenna Robinson, President of The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, to discuss new model legislation that would revamp general education courses at public universities to better prepare college students for their adult lives.

In this talk, George Leef presented an overview of education policy in the United States, beginning with the Higher Education Act of 1965. Mr. Leef's examined the many unintended consequences that have resulted from federal meddling and government intrusion into higher education and academia, chief amongst these unintended consequences was the transformation of standard curricula away from the liberal arts and towards a series of social goals.George Leef is director of editorial content for the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Carroll College (Waukesha, WI) and a juris doctor from Duke University School of Law. He is the host of Classical Cafe on radio station WCPE in Wake Forest, NC is the author of two books, "Free Choice for Workers" in 2005 and a novel, "The Awakening of Jennifer Van Arsdale" in 2022.This lecture was delivered live at the Fall Classical Summit, a regional classical conference held at Thales Academy Rolesville Junior High-High School on October 6, 2023.Interested in teaching at Thales Academy? Please check out our website if you are interested in pursuing a career at Thales Academy and learning about needs across our network. Find out more at https://www.thalesacademy.org/contact/careers.

Anthony Hennen of The Center Square joins Dawn to breakdown his latest articles, including... Suburban leaders blast Philadelphia DA Krasner for crime wave Report: Marijuana legalization trades taxes for social problems Bitcoin mining study revived Xylazine stressing suburban Philadelphia police Methane emissions monitoring grabs legislative attention Dawn & Anthony expand on all these topics, and give you the latest local reports on multiple subjects! Anthony Hennen is a reporter for The Center Square news wire service, covering Pennsylvania, and co-host of Pennsylvania in Focus, a weekly podcast on America's Talking Network. Previously, he worked for Philadelphia Weekly and the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He is managing editor of Expatalachians, a journalism project focused on the Appalachian region. Tune in 10 AM - 12 PM EST weekdays on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT; or on the Audacy app!

In March 2023, ACTA's second annual Alumni Summit on Free Expression brought together alumni free speech activists and higher education nonprofit leaders from across the country to share knowledge, experiences, and resources related to campus reform efforts. In partnership with the Alumni Free Speech Alliance (AFSA), this special gathering was designed to further motivate and equip alumni as guardians of the values that shaped their own education, including free expression, academic freedom, and viewpoint diversity. Today's episode features a panel from the Summit, headlined as A HIGHER ED REFORMATION: CHANGING CAMPUS POLICY AND CULTURE. Along with ACTA's Paul & Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom, Steve McGuire, the discussion featured Lindsey Burke, director of the Center for Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation; Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal and AFSA board member; and Dawn Toguchi, executive director of the Open Discourse Coalition at Bucknell University.  The moderator was John Tomasi, president of Heterodox Academy. Together, these experts explored how alumni concerned about campus free speech can influence policy and cultural change within college and university environments.

John J. Miller is joined by Graham Hillard of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal to discuss G. K. Chesterton's book, 'The Man Who Was Thursday.'

Guests: Michael Anton, Graham Hillard, & Christopher Busch Host Scot Bertram talks with Michael Anton, Lecturer in Politics and Research Fellow at Hillsdale College’s Kirby Center in Washington, who gives a preview of his new free online course on American Foreign Policy. Graham Hillard, Editor at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, discusses […]

Guests: Michael Anton, Graham Hillard, & Christopher Busch Host Scot Bertram talks with Michael Anton, lecturer in politics and research fellow at Hillsdale College's Kirby Center in Washington, D.C., who gives a preview of his new free online course on American Foreign Policy. Graham Hillard, editor at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, discusses an article he wrote on NPR's descent into a left-wing echo chamber. And Christopher Busch, professor of English at Hillsdale College, begins a series on the life and work of Robert Frost.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across the nation, states are stepping up to reform higher education—in effect performing their intended role as laboratories of federalism and democratic governance. ACTA is seeing good progress on this front in North Carolina. While no state has achieved perfect academic accountability, academic freedom, or academic excellence in higher ed, recent developments in the UNC system in particular demonstrate crucial steps taken in the right direction.  ACTA's Emily Koons Jae and Bryan Paul recently sat down with Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, a nonprofit institute dedicated to improving higher education in North Carolina and the nation, to discuss the successes and shortcomings of higher ed reform in North Carolina. At the time of this conversation, the UNC Board of Governors had scheduled a vote for February 23 on a resolution to ban compelled speech in admission, hiring, promotion and tenure decisions. That vote has since taken place, with the resolution passing. 

For a special mid-month episode, Butch has a “Great Conversation” with George Leef, the author of The Awakening of Jennifer Van Arsdale: A Political Fable for Our Time… George serves as the Director of Research at the James R Martin Center for Academic Renewal. George and Butch discuss the current political landscape in terms of education and why something like a fable might be necessary to wake us up from some of the silos we've created around ourselves. The Rule for this Episode is:

 “Be prepared to question your assumptions…” ____________________ Education Choice: https://loudounfieldcenter.org SXole (formerly Great Conversation(s) Network): https://gc.inded.us Same Blog tho: https://www.greatconversations.us Mother Ship: https://inded.us

Is your alma mater soliciting donations from you? Chances are ... they've asked you for money recently. In fact, U.S. colleges and universities raised $52.9 billion in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2021, and that is a 6.9 percent increase over the previous year. While the schools make giving easy, giving effectively is much harder. In other words, is your alma mater the best place for your charitable dollars when a different college or university is doing work that better reflects your values? Emily Jae, director of the Fund for Academic Renewal at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, joins Peter on the latest episode of Giving Ventures to discuss ways to make intentional gifts to colleges and universities that live up to our nation's founding ideals.

Dr. Robinson holds a PhD in political science, but seeing the decay of the American academy, she opted to devote her energies to restoring a culture of excellence in our universities, rather than taking on a professorship. As President of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, she advocates for institutional and cultural reforms that will ensure that higher education in America is able to perform its vital functions for the nation. We discuss academic standard, tuition costs, the student loan racket, and the problem of accreditation.

Dr. Robinson holds a PhD in political science, but seeing the decay of the American academy, she opted to devote her energies to restoring a culture of excellence in our universities, rather than taking on a professorship. As President of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, she advocates for institutional and cultural reforms that will ensure that higher education in America is able to perform its vital functions for the nation. We discuss academic standard, tuition costs, the student loan racket, and the problem of accreditation.

Read more on our website! Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube.

An anonymous listener has excelled at school in recent years, but their LSAC-calculated GPA doesn't reflect their efforts. Their college insists on including some failing grades on Anonymous's transcript even though they had previously been erased through academic renewal. Nathan and Ben encourage Anonymous to press further and look for allies at the school who can advocate for them. Read more on our website! Email daily@lsatdemon.com with questions or comments. Watch this episode on YouTube.

What is the purpose of higher education? What should students expect out of their college experience, and what should students do to get the most out of the four years they may spend on a college campus? Is college for everyone? And what other alternatives are out there for students who don't want to go the route of the traditional, four-year undergraduate program?In this webinar, Dr. Jenna Robinson will examine the purpose of higher education, that of character formation through study and fellowship, as well as a survey of the challenges in the higher education landscape awaiting students.Jenna Robinson is the President of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, a Raleigh-based nonprofit institute dedicated to improving higher education in North Carolina and the nation. Dr. Robinson received a Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has written for numerous academic and popular publications.This webinar was streamed on May 19, 2022. Find out more about the James G. Martin Center at their website: https://www.jamesgmartin.center/

On today's episode, host Winston Brady interviews George Leef, the author of "The Awakening of Jennifer Van Arsdale." On the show, they discuss the idea of classical liberalism, the works of Adam Smith and Alexis de Tocqueville, and how these authors and the tradition of classical liberalism shaped Mr. Leef's "The Awakening of Jennifer Van Arsdale," a work of satire and a “political fable for our time” available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. George Leef is the director of editorial content at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. He holds a JD from the Duke University School of Law; has previously served as the Vice President of the John Locke Foundation; and has written for numerous popular and academic publications such as Forbes Magazine and the American Institute for Economic Research. Check out The Awakening of Jennifer Van Arsdale on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Awakening-Jennifer-Van-Arsdale-Political/dp/1637583567/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27VL1Q77CPQBP&keywords=awakening+of+jennifer+van+arsdale&qid=1649963336&sprefix=awkwaening+of+jennifer+van+arsdale+%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 and on Barnes & Noble at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-awakening-of-jennifer-van-arsdale-george-c-leef/1141110704?ean=9781637583562

Academic renewal is a rarely known option for giving students a second chance at improving their academic record. In this episode, we share our thoughts on how to use this tool effectively, important exceptions to note, and why it is an option to definitely consider if you have had academically challenging semesters in the past.

Abe Unger joins Tim to talk about the current state of liberal arts schools, how he says many are failing and how to turn things around. He's got some concrete ideas and some real-life, proven examples of how it can work pretty quickly. Abe is the Director of Urban Programs and Associate Professor of Government and Politics at Wagner College and the Executive Director of the Gender Equity Network. https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shapingopinion/Rethinking_the_Liberal_Arts_auphonic.mp3 It wasn't that long ago that I remember taking both of my kids on tours of the Northeast looking at colleges. Having two kids with different interests allowed me to see a cross-section of schools, from Ivy League institutions to small private, state and public colleges. In the course of the many tours, some of the recruiting language was pretty standard. But every now and then, you'd really start to see the difference between one college and the next. I'm a Liberal Arts grad myself. My majors were journalism and rhetoric. I attended a university that was more than a liberal arts college, though its own liberal arts school was on a par with any stand-alone liberal arts college. But as a parent, I found myself wondering about something I don't remember thinking about as a high school senior. Return on investment. Will my kids have careers after college that justify the expense of those four years in school? Each of my kids chose different paths, but both were able to land in careers that they never would have anticipated that freshman year. This was on my mind recently, when I read an article from professor Abe Unger on this very issue. He wrote a piece for The James Martin Center for Academic Renewal called, “Why Liberal Arts Colleges Are Failing and How to Revive Them.” Links Dr. Abraham Unger, Wagner College Why Liberal Arts Colleges Are Failing and How to Revive Them, James Martin Center Manhattan School of Music About this Episode's Guest Abe Unger Abe Unger spent over a decade as Director of Urban Programs and as a professor, with tenure, in the Department of Government and Politics at Wagner College in Staten Island, New York City. He is now Executive Director of the Gender Equity Network. Dr. Unger received his Bachelor's of Music from the Manhattan School of Music in classical guitar, and his MA and Ph.D. from Fordham University in political science. He is the author of numerous articles, many of which are on Higher Ed reform, and 3 books on urban economic development and public policy.  

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson could present very different messages to N.C. voters and taxpayers in the years ahead. The two men previewed a divergent path during their public swearing-in ceremonies in Raleigh. While Cooper complained about the COVID-19 pandemic, racism, unaffordable health care, and unequal opportunity, Robinson emphasized the state’s successes. He pointed to his own story as North Carolina’s first black lieutenant governor. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, assesses the contrast between Cooper and Robinson. Prospective Asian-American students sued the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over its admissions policies. The suit came as no surprise to Kenny Xu, a political commentator and author of An Inconvenient Minority. The book documents similar race discrimination lawsuits challenging admissions policies at Ivy League schools. Xu shares highlights from his work. He compares the Ivy League story with the situation at Chapel Hill. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby has taken his oath as the top officer in North Carolina’s judicial branch of government. During his first speech as chief justice, Newby shared details of his judicial philosophy. He also explained why court personnel need to work hard to reopen courtrooms in the wake of COVID-19. Major N.C. universities have problems with pervasive sex discrimination. But it’s not the type of discrimination you might expect when you hear those words. Adam Kissel, former deputy assistant secretary for higher education programs at U.S. Department of Education, documented the problem in a recent report. Kissel shares highlights of the report prepared for the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges since last spring for parents of school-age children in North Carolina. Some of them turned to “learning pods” to help address students’ struggles with online learning. Terry Stoops, director of the Center for Effective Education at the John Locke Foundation, assesses families’ experience with learning pods and other innovations sparked by COVID-19.

Anthony Hennen is a native of southeastern Ohio and the Managing Editor at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. In 2018, he joined with several other friends and Ohio university alumni to found the independent journalism website, Expatalachians. Anthony joins Garrett on today’s episode to discuss the future of regional journalism, cultural diversity in Appalachia, J.D. Vance’s controversial book Hillbilly Elegy, and life as an expatalachian.   You can keep up with independent, Appalachian journalism by following Expatalachians. You can support their project on Patreon.    If you like to support independent journalism in West Virginia, you can follow Mountain State Spotlight.    If you’re interested in journalism focused on the American South, you can follow Southerly.    You can also follow Anthony’s work at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal.    Other mentions from this episode:    You too can read the controversial work, Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance.  University Press of Kentucky, Writing Appalachia (an anthology) Ramp Hollow: The Ordeal of Appalachia by Steven Stoll The Writers Conference of Northern Appalachia  Silas House is a novelist, environmental activist, and music journalist from Kentucky.   Wendell Berry is the author of more than 40 works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry and has taught at universities such as Stanford University and University of Kentucky. He lives in Port Royal, Kentucky.  Lee Bidgood, professor at East Tennessee State University, you can learn about his ethnomusicology work on his website.  Listen to music from the Carolina Chocolate Drops.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   You can support the Cardinal Institute by donating or following us on social media:    Donate: www.cardinalinstitute.com/donate Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cardinalinstitute Newsletter: www.cardinalinstitute.com/contact YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosCMp86mjLbf8ZWfE5yS7Q Twitter: @CardinalWV Facebook: /CardinalInstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardinal-institute-for-wv-policy/ Instagram: @teamcardinalwv

Amy Coney Barrett has joined the U.S. Supreme Court as its 115th justice. She has said her judicial philosophy mirrors that of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, and supporters characterize her as an originalist. Jon Guze, John Locke Foundation director legal studies, analyzes Barrett’s record. He discusses the new justice’s likely impact on the nation’s highest court. Those who want to reform higher education ought to look at governing boards. That’s a key piece of advice in a recent report from the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. Report author Jay Schalin, the center’s director of policy analysis, explain how trustees and UNC System governors can play a critical role in improving colleges and universities. During the recent confirmation hearings for Justice Amy Coney Barrett, North Carolina’s junior U.S. senator secured a national spotlight. In addition to his questions for Barrett, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis shared his concerns about pressing national issues such as crime and health care. You’ll hear highlights from his remarks. The latest round of state-level COVID-19 relief featured provisions focusing on small businesses. You’ll hear part of the state Senate’s debate over the best ways to boost small businesses in the wake of the pandemic. COVID-19 has had major impacts on public school enrollment across North Carolina. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, discusses the enrollment numbers on local school systems’ responses to the changes.

We talked about a lot of things today: FSA announcement regarding emails and texts going out to students. $100,000,000 gift from the Jay Pritzker Foundation to the Foundation for California Community Colleges. CSAC Special Alert GSA 2020-41 regarding enhancements to Cal Grant rosters. ECMC is offering a webinar on November 11 on Avoiding the Holiday Spending Hangover. NASFAA has updated their Ask Regs Knowledgebase platform. Article from the James G Martin Center for Academic Renewal regarding college student learning. Pasadena City College named the top 2-year college in CA for hispanic students. LACCD is holding its fifth annual Disability Summit this Friday, October 30th. Dennis dared people to buy books with interesting titles.  He offered up a book on financial aid, community colleges, and higher education.   Find out more about CCCSFAAA at cccsfaaa.org. Follow CCCSFAAA on Twitter at @CCCSFinaidAssoc. Find this and future WBC podcast episodes at What's Brewing, CCCSFAAA (WBC) podcasts.  Find us also in Google Podcasts, the Apple Podcasts app, and on Spotify. Have feedback for Dennis and Dana?  Got a topic you want us to discuss?  Email us at wbcccsfaaa@gmail.com.   "What's Brewing, CCCSFAAA?" is a Studio 1051 production.  Studio 1051 is a creative collaboration of Dennis Schroeder and Dana Yarbrough.

The outcome of North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race could help determine which party controls the chamber for the next two years. Incumbent Republican Sen. Thom Tillis faces a tough challenge from Democrat Cal Cunningham. Carolina Journal Editor-in-Chief Rick Henderson analyzes recent developments in the hotly contested race. It’s safe to say N.C. colleges and universities did not reopen in the fall in the way they had expected. Some campuses welcomed students back, only to send them home again for online learning within a matter of weeks. Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, assesses university’s preparations for and responses to the challenges of reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the recent actions state lawmakers have taken to address COVID-19 is a $335 check to be sent to parents of school-aged children throughout the state. State Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, explained the checks’ purpose during a recent news conference. In addition to higher education, COVID-19 has forced major changes for K-12 public education in North Carolina. During a recent online forum sponsored by the John Locke Foundation, state Sen. Deanna Ballard, R-Watauga, discussed key education challenges. Ballard explained legislative leaders approach to addressing public education issues during the pandemic. The N.C. Court of Appeals recently overturned a lower court and restored state constitutional amendments requiring a photo ID for voters and lowering the state’s cap on income tax rates. Voters had approved those measures during a statewide vote in 2018. Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, explains the significance of the split 2-1 ruling. She discusses the next steps for the court case that produced the ruling.

Now that we’ve been dealing with COVID-19 for several months, health experts have better information about the typical characteristics of patients struggling with the disease. Jordan Roberts, John Locke Foundation health care policy analyst, recently reviewed available data and compiled them for a COVID-19 patient profile. The 2020 election is approaching, and the John Locke Foundation hosted a recent online forum featuring experts on key N.C. electoral contests. You’ll hear assessments from political consultants Jonathan Felts, Brad Crone, and Jim Blaine. The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has sparked a national conversation about police reform. But U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8th District, says he’s disappointed about the way his colleagues have addressed the topic on Capitol Hill. You’ll hear comments from a recent floor speech Hudson delivered in the U.S. House of Representatives. COVID-19 has presented plenty of challenges for colleges and universities across the country, including the University of North Carolina System. Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, assesses UNC’s response to the operational challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. Federal tax credits have helped promote electric vehicles in the United States. Those credits have generated some unintended consequences. John Locke Foundation Senior Fellow Donald van der Vaart and research intern Dominic Coletti have been calculating the tax credits’ impact. They share the results of their work.

Drawing on over thirty years of experience in philanthropy, Joanne Florino has authored the new the guidebook, Protecting Your Legacy: A Wise Giver’s Guide to Honoring and Preserving Donor Intent. She sits down with Emily Koons Jae, the director of ACTA’s Fund for Academic Renewal, to explore what donors to colleges and universities can learn from this new guide; and they cover important trends in higher education philanthropy as well.

The state of North Carolina requires more than 1,500 hours of training and a year of apprenticeship before a person can become a barber. Jon Sanders, John Locke Foundation director of regulatory studies, says those requirements stem from the racism that helped guide North Carolina’s earliest occupational licensing. Sanders discusses the history of barber regulations. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic threw hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians out of work, state government has faced problems getting unemployment checks into people’s hands. A recent legislative hearing highlighted public concerns about the slow pace of unemployment relief. State lawmakers added new funding for public school enrollment growth in 2020-21, though some questioned the increased spending. You’ll hear their questions about the COVID-19 pandemic’s potential impact on future public school enrollment. The pandemic has generated new interest in health care innovation. Josh Archambault, senior fellow at the Foundation for Government Accountability, discusses ways North Carolina could reform its laws to help innovation flourish. The University of North Carolina System has selected Peter Hans as its new president. Hans had worked for the past two years as president of the state Community College System, and he’s a former UNC Board of Governors chairman. Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, assesses UNC’s decision to hire Hans as its new systemwide leader.

George Leef is editor and George G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. A recent US District Court decision appears to have reopened the door for  students drowning in college debt to remove it in bankruptcy. Is that a good thing? One the one hand the $1.6 trillion education bubble needs to be addressed or we'll wind up with a generation of student loan debt slaves. However, is it really fair to let them off the hook and simply forgive their debts? What about those who have repaid their loans or didn't take any out? A difficult dilemma in search of a solution. 

George Leef is editor and George G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. A recent US District Court decision appears to have reopened the door for  students drowning in college debt to remove it in bankruptcy. Is that a good thing? One the one hand the $1.6 trillion education bubble needs to be addressed or we'll wind up with a generation of student loan debt slaves. However, is it really fair to let them off the hook and simply forgive their debts? What about those who have repaid their loans or didn't take any out? A difficult dilemma in search of a solution. 

North Carolina will conduct one of the nation’s most hotly contested U.S. Senate races in 2020. Incumbent Republican Thom Tillis is seeking his second term. A potential primary challenger recently dropped out of the race. Meanwhile, Democrats are competing for the right to face Tillis next fall. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes recent developments in the highly anticipated Senate battle. He also looks at the number of names on N.C. presidential primary ballots. The college football bowl season has arrived, and college basketball teams are nearing the heart of their conference schedules. It’s a good time for Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, to remind us that big-college sports have lost all resemblance to amateur athletic contests. Robinson highlights problems associated with big-time college sports. She offers ideas for improving the situation. North Carolina’s experience with so-called “sanctuary cities” recently attracted attention on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Tillis highlighted the issue while discussing his proposed Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act. He explains how the measure would help those hurt by illegal immigrants who commit other crimes. Most people who go to prison end up returning to society. U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, R-6th District, is pushing legislation that would help former prison inmates return to lives as productive citizens. He outlined his proposals during a recent summit in Greensboro. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest sent competing letters recently to N.C. public school teachers. Both letters discussed the state budget impasse that has blocked teacher pay raises. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, discusses the letters and their links to partisan political activity.

The University of North Carolina System’s controversial chairman has resigned from that post. Harry Smith’s decision shakes up the university’s Board of Governors as that board deals with other leadership issues. That includes the search for a new system president and for a new chancellor at the flagship campus in Chapel Hill. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, assesses UNC’s leadership challenges. Sarah Lawrence College political scientist Samuel Abrams unleashed a wave of criticism when he decided to write in the New York Times about the lack of ideological diversity on college campuses. Abrams traveled to Raleigh this year to discuss the controversy during a speech for the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. Abrams shared themes from that presentation with Carolina Journal Radio. State lawmakers agree N.C. counties should replace voting machines that lack a paper record. Disagreement remains about when. Counties have asked for another extension of a deadline to make the change. The extension would extend past the 2020 elections. You’ll hear highlights from legislative debate about that proposal. The controversial N.C. House vote to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the state budget bill has led to a war of words between the chamber’s top Democrat and Republican. You’ll learn why House Minority Leader Darren Jackson, D-Wake, labeled his Republican counterparts “liars.” You’ll hear the response from House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, about Jackson’s partisan motives. Some politicians, including Cooper, want to move toward greater use of electric vehicles. Forcing the change could lead to unintended negative environmental consequences. That’s the conclusion from Donald van der Vaart, John Locke Foundation senior fellow. Van der Vaart explains how a large increase in electric vehicle use could affect other energy resources.

An interview with Dr. Jenna Robinson, President of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, on how high school seniors can really make the most of their college experience.

President Trump holds slim leads — well within the margin of error — over several major Democratic contenders for the 2020 presidential race in North Carolina. That’s according to the latest Civitas Poll. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes those numbers and other poll highlights. As thousands of college students head back to campus, it’s a good time to remind you about a recent report questioning the politicization of education schools in North Carolina. Jay Schalin, director of policy analysis at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, recently compiled a report detailing the problem. Schalin shares highlights from his research and discusses possible remedies. The N.C. House recently debated a proposal to allow people to deduct gambling losses from their state income taxes. The idea’s chief proponent says the change would move North Carolina into compliance with federal tax law. Critics cited the potential negative impact on the state’s tax system, as well as concerns about treating gambling losses like business expenses. One of the key players in the recent “paper classes” scandal involving academics and athletics at UNC-Chapel Hill recently took her story to Capitol Hill. Former athletic reading tutor Mary Willingham reviewed the scandal during a forum sponsored by a congressman who’s seeking to federal laws regarding student-athletes. You’ll hear highlights from Willingham’s remarks. State law forces most N.C. public school systems to wait until late August to start their academic years. But some school systems have used loopholes to get an earlier start. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, discusses the ongoing debate over the limits of North Carolina’s school calendar law.

North Carolina has been able to cut tax rates in recent years without having to slash state services. That’s thanks to sustainable budget practices. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow, outlines several key steps lawmakers have taken to pursue sustainable budgets. When Margaret Spellings wrapped up her tenure as president of the University of North Carolina System, she offered the Board of Governors a positive assessment of UNC’s current state. Shannon Watkins, policy associate at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, says Spellings and other university leaders might be viewing UNC through “rose-colored glasses.” Watkins explains why the actual picture isn’t as bright as Spellings suggested. State lawmakers deal with important issues. They also deal with ice cream. One bill moving through the General Assembly would designate ice cream as the state’s official frozen treat. North Carolina’s congressional election map headed back to the U.S. Supreme Court recently. You’ll hear highlights from oral arguments, including pointed questions from Supreme Court justices about partisan gerrymandering. Supporters of Medicaid expansion in North Carolina want to fund their proposal with a new tax on health care providers. Jordan Roberts, John Locke Foundation health policy analyst, analyzes the proposed tax and the problems it could create.

The U.S. economy has posted impressive gains recently. Both President Trump and former President Barack Obama are claiming credit. Roy Cordato, the John Locke Foundation’s senior economist, puts the competing claims to the test. A Winston-Salem surgeon is taking North Carolina state government to court because of a law that blocks him from purchasing an MRI scanner. Dr. Gajendra Singh says the scanner would help him provide a valuable service to his patients at a reasonable cost. North Carolina’s certificate-of-need law blocks Singh from making the purchase. Singh and his attorney, Josh Windham of the Institute for Justice, explain why they’re challenging the CON law. One likely consequence of the 2018 elections is a renewed push for redistricting reform in North Carolina. John Locke Foundation Chairman John Hood offered that prediction during a recent post-election analysis. Hood says Republican legislative leaders looking ahead to 2020 elections might want to rethink their opposition to reform. Higher education faces significant challenges in North Carolina and across the United States. Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, highlighted key challenges during a recent speech in Raleigh. Robinson emphasized the lack of viewpoint diversity on college campuses, along with an overall decline in academic quality. As state and national politicians continue to debate the future of health care, the recent rise of Association Health Plans is offering a new option for many health care consumers. Jordan Roberts, John Locke Foundation health care policy analyst, explains AHPs. He also assesses their potential impact on the future of health care.

Higher education watchdogs have seen good news in recent years when it comes to free-speech protections on N.C. college campuses. Jenna Robinson, president of the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, discusses a new report that grades the campuses based on their policies promoting or limiting speech. It’s no secret that American politics has become increasingly polarized. Duke University ethics professor Walter Sinnott-Armstrong believes more argument could help fight that polarization. Sinnott-Armstrong explained his theory during a recent speech in Raleigh. You’ll hear highlights from his remarks. Before Hurricane Florence stormed through North Carolina, state lawmakers already were talking about ways to improve disaster relief in the wake of the 2016 damage from Hurricane Matthew. Rep. Jimmy Dixon, R-Duplin, explains how government could learn lessons about disaster preparations from the state’s farmers. N.C. voters face six proposed constitutional amendments on the November ballot. John Dinan, professor at Wake Forest University, places North Carolina’s latest proposals in a national context. Dinan is author of the book State Constitutional Politics: Governing by Amendment in the American States. North Carolina’s certificate-of-need law has restricted new medical facilities and major medical equipment for decades. The idea behind the CON law goes back even further. That’s according to Jordan Roberts, John Locke Foundation health care policy analyst. He discusses the history and explains how the CON law hurts those seeking affordable health care options.

Political prognosticators often look at independent, unaffiliated voters for clues about the likely outcomes of upcoming elections. The Civitas Institute recently polled unaffiliated N.C. voters. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes the poll’s findings. He discusses how the numbers could affect key elections and the fate of proposed constitutional amendments. A Winston-Salem surgeon is challenging state certificate-of-need restrictions that block him from buying an MRI machine. Dr. Gajendra Singh says the machine would help him provide MRI services for patients at a lower price than they would pay at a nearby hospital. You’ll hear highlights from a recent news conference with Singh and Institute for Justice attorneys. IJ is helping Singh challenge the state CON law in court. Among the recent honors for the late U.S. Sen. John McCain is one you might not have expected. Democratic N.C. Sen. Erica Smith praised the longtime Republican U.S. senator and GOP presidential nominee during a speech in the state Legislative Building. Smith used McCain’s words to urge her Democratic and Republican colleagues to do a better job working together. Silent Sam has filled recent headlines, but that Confederate statue at UNC-Chapel Hill is not the only monument generating controversy on college campuses. Shannon Watkins, policy associate at the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal, shares her concerns about recent debates involving the future of campus monuments. A leading Democratic U.S. senator is promoting legislation dubbed the Accountable Capitalism Act. Roy Cordato, John Locke Foundation senior economist, highlights flaws in Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal. Cordato explains that capitalism already holds businesses accountable without government intrusion.

Maybe Randy Moss should have worn a bow tie! Today's topics include: Moss wore a tie with a list of names on it...yet 95% of Liberal sports media won't pay attention to the details. Not every name on his tie represented someone who was unfairly brutalized by a white cop; next, D.C. McAllister (from The Federalist) gives us a history lesson on why Trump ISN'T the only President to battle the press/media on misinformation and false reporting; and finally, Shannon Watkins (from the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal) discusses the question, are black male student athletes failing to graduate due to racism?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do philanthropists and investors have in common? A lot more than you’d think. A new generation of “venture philanthropists” are looking for real results when it comes to supporting American higher education. To consider both sides of the investor/philanthropist mindset, Mark Grovic of New Markets Venture Partners and Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill, executive director of the Fund for Academic Renewal, discuss how to consider specific issues in higher education that are ripe for innovative philanthropists to target for giving.

I met Dr Tia McNair at the Research Symposium at the University of Michigan. She is highly intelligent and knew her stuff and I, along with the audience, was intrigued. She discussed diversity, equity and inclusion and broke it down so that it was easy to follow along. Dr Tia Brown McNair is the Vice President in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Student Success at Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in Washington, DC.  She oversees both funded projects and AAC&U's continuing programs on equity, inclusive excellence, high-impact educational practices, and student success, including AAC&U's Network for Academic Renewal series of yearly working conferences.  McNair also directs AAC&U's Summer Institute on High-Impact Educational Practices and Student Success. McNair serves as the project director for several AAC&U initiatives: "Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation," “Committing to Equity and Inclusive Excellence: Campus-Based Strategies for Student Success,” and Purposeful Pathways: Faculty Planning and Curricular Coherence.” She directed AAC&U's projects on "Advancing Underserved Student Success through Faculty Intentionality in Problem-Centered Learning,” "Advancing Roadmaps for Community College Leadership to Improve Student Learning and Success,” and "Developing a Community College Roadmap. McNair chaired AAC&U's Equity Working Group that was part of the General Education Maps and Markers (GEMs) project that represented a large-scale, systematic effort to provide “design principles” for 21st-century learning and long-term student success. She is the lead author of the book Becoming a Student-Ready College: A New Culture of Leadership for Student Success (July 2016). McNair is a co-author on the publication Assessing Underserved Students' Engagement in High-Impact Practices.  Prior to joining AAC&U, McNair served as the Assistant Director of the National College Access Network (NCAN) in Washington, DC. McNair's previous experience also includes serving as a Social Scientist/Assistant Program Director in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources at the National Science Foundation (NSF), Director of University Relations at the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia; the Statewide Coordinator for the Educational Talent Search Project at the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission; and the Interim Associate Director of Admissions and Recruitment Services at West Virginia State University. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at several institutions where she taught first-year English courses. McNair earned her bachelor's degree in political science and English at James Madison University and holds an M.A. in English from Radford University and a doctorate in higher education administration from George Washington University.   To connect with Dr Tia McNair: * Twitter: https://twitter.com/aacu  * Website: http://www.aacu.org/ * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Association-of-American-Colleges-and-Universities-48308128458/

If you had to pick out the most outspoken critic of higher education in North Carolina, it wouldn’t take you long to find the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. For the past 14 years, the Martin Center has been putting a spotlight on higher education, sharing frustration and outrage about the quality of education, its cost, its substance. Center staff have written about courses they see as frivolous, faculty they see as spending too much time on writing and not enough time in the classroom, facilities that see as wasteful, administrators they see as too plentiful. It’s a really important set of criticisms, one that higher ed needs to be aware of and in conversation about. This week, we talk with Martin Center President Jenna Robinson about her love-hate relationship with the current state of higher education. _____________________________ This installment is part of a special 13-segment series produced in collaboration with UNC-TV, and recorded in UNC-TV’s Legislative Studio in downtown Raleigh. We are excited to share the First in Future podcast via traditional means and via taped segments to air on the North Carolina Channel! Check back soon for specific air dates.

University tuition rates across the United States have rocketed upward in recent decades, but that has been to pay for more administrative staff, not more tenured faculty. As campuses offer bells and whistles, the public are growing more skeptical of conventional higher education, and Jenna Robinson tells us why. She holds a PhD in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and she is the president of the Martin Center for Academic Renewal. Show notes: http://goldnewsletter.com/podcast/jenna-robinson-the-higher-education-arms-race/.