Podcasts about north carolina system

Tune in here to this ​Mondays edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen!  Breaking Brett Jensen kicks the show off by talking about two male boxers competing in women's divisions at the Olympics and winning gold. Jensen expresses a provocative opinion that if these men had lost, it would have been used to argue that men don't have an advantage over women. He describes the Olympics as the "woke Olympics" and contrasts it with historical Olympics known for other significant events.  Jensen also discusses recent changes at the University of North Carolina System, where the board decided to eliminate DEI offices. He notes that the decision led to changes at UNC Charlotte, where several DEI-related offices were closed, and staff were reassigned but not laid off. He criticizes the need for DEI offices in institutions already led by minorities and questions the effectiveness of such offices.  later in the show Jensen talks about the upcoming Interview between Elon Musk and Donald Trump on X (formerly Twitter). He expresses concern that Musk, known for his reserved speaking style, might not challenge Trump effectively, potentially allowing Trump to dominate the conversation without much scrutiny.    Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to the latest episode of Lunch with Shelley with our special guest - the sunny and brilliant Margaret Spellings!  Margaret is a nationally recognized leader in public policy - and currently serves as President & CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center.  Her remarkable and extensive leadership experience in both state and federal government includes service as a U.S. Secretary of Education, White House Chief Domestic Policy Advisor, Senior Policy Advisor to then-Governor George W. Bush, President of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, and President of the 17-institution University of North Carolina System.Margaret is both funny and insightful while discussing a wide range of topics, including her service during the George W. Bush years and 9/11 - COVID-19 - the state of education policy – and of course the glories of Texas and Mambo Taxis. Join us for a deliciously fun and patriotic lunch discussion at www.lunchwithshelley.com or wherever you get your favorite podcasts, and in the meantime Peace, Love and Lunch!

Working together across party lines is anathema to much of political Washington, but Margaret Spellings says doing so is the only way to create solutions that last.  A nationally recognized leader in public policy, Spellings serves as President and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center. Previously, Spellings was President and CEO of Texas 2036, president of University of North Carolina System and president of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas after she served as U.S. Secretary of Education. As secretary, she led the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, a bipartisan initiative to provide greater accountability for the education of 50 million U.S. public school students. She also launched the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, a plan to address challenges of access, affordability, quality and accountability in our nation's colleges and universities. Before serving as secretary, Spellings was a White House domestic policy advisor, overseeing the agenda on education, transportation, health, justice, housing and labor.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part One of our recent extended conversation with the University of North Carolina System president Peter Hans, we discussed some of the successes UNC campuses have had in keeping tuition and fees relatively affordable, while also dealing with some of the tough realities posed by shifting demographics that have lowered the number of college […] The post UNC System President Peter Hans on the state of higher education appeared first on NC Newsline.

Today's guest is Peter Hans, president of the University of North Carolina system and a Food for Thought speaker at Morehead-Cain. On this episode, President Hans shares about how growing up in rural North Carolina has informed his work, his experiences as president of the North Carolina Community College System, and his perspective on the future of affordable public education in the state.Hans received his bachelor's in political science from UNC–Chapel Hill and a master's of liberal arts in extension studies from Harvard. The president served as the first Food for Thought speaker of the spring semester. He spoke with Allyson Horst '27 of the Scholar Media Team after his talk with scholars at the Foundation.Modeled after the City Club of Cleveland, Food for Thought provides a central meeting place for members of diverse beliefs and opinions to participate in free and open discussions. The breakfast and conversation series is an initiative of Team Cleveland members from the 2022 Morehead-Cain Civic Collaboration program.Episode art by Aayas Joshi '26, Scholar Media TeamMusic creditsThe episode's intro song is by scholar Scott Hallyburton '22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul.How to listenOn your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O'Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at communications@moreheadcain.org.

 On April 28 the AAUP released a report of the Special Committee on Governance, Academic Freedom, and Institutional Racism in the University of North Carolina System. The report considers the influence of the North Carolina state legislature on the systemwide board of governors and campus boards of trustees. It discusses how political pressure and top-down leadership have obstructed meaningful faculty participation in the UNC system, jeopardized academic freedom, and reinforced institutional racism.The guests are the co-chairs of the special committee that wrote the report, Nicholas Fleisher, professor of Linguistics at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and Afshan Jafar, professor of Sociology at Connecticut College. The episode is hosted by Anita Levy, senior program officer in the Department of Academic Freedom, Tenure and Governance at the AAUP. Visit aaup.org to for more of our work or to become a member. Episode links:Governance, Academic Freedom, and Institutional Racism in the University of North Carolina System

Junior year is the most important year of high school. With harder classes, standardized tests, colleges to visit, and lots of (mis) information flying around, it's time to get the truth about what 11th graders need to be doing now. Enter college admissions Swiss-army-knife Brandi Smith. Name anything in the college admissions profession and she's done it. Worked in admissions? Vanderbilt. Check. Been a school counselor? Public or Independent, she has done both. Check. Community based organization? Yes, she's done that too. Check. She is one of the biggest names and “personalities” in College Admission! Listen in as Brandi shares what families, especially Black families, need to be doing now to get ahead in the college process. **Production note this episode was recorded prior to North Carolina System changing back to being test-optional for the upcoming year.

On May 18, AEI hosted a panel discussion on how to make data-driven decisions about higher education. The University of North Carolina System's Andrew P. Kelly, The Wall Street Journal's Josh Mitchell, and Braven's Vince Marigna discussed Beth Akers' new book, https://www.aei.org/tag/making-college-pay/ (“Making College Pay: An Economist Explains How to Make a Smart Bet on Higher Education” )(Penguin Random House, 2021). The conversation addressed how aspiring students can make strategic rather than romantic decisions about college, how parents can be practical when assisting their children in this process, and how higher education can remain an engine for opportunity, upward mobility, and prosperity.

The cost of college makes for frightening headlines. The outstanding balance of student loans is more than $1.5 trillion nationally, while tuitions continue to rise. And after a pandemic that nearly dismantled the traditional “college experience,” many wonder if college is really worth it. Join the University of North Carolina System's Andrew P. Kelly, The Wall Street Journal's Josh Mitchell, and Braven's Vince Marigna for a discussion with AEI's Beth Akers about her new book, https://www.aei.org/research-products/book/making-college-pay-an-economist-explains-how-to-make-a-smart-bet-on-higher-education/ (“Making College Pay: An Economist Explains How to Make a Smart Bet on Higher Education”) (Penguin Random House, 2021). The conversation will address how aspiring students can make strategic rather than romantic decisions about college, how parents can be practical when assisting their children in this process, and how higher education can remain an engine for opportunity, upward mobility, and prosperity. Watch the full event https://www.aei.org/events/making-college-pay-an-economist-explains-how-to-make-a-smart-bet-on-higher-education/ (here).

Margaret Spellings serves as President and CEO of Texas 2036, bringing with her knowledge and experience developed over an exceptional career in public service at both the state and national level. Most recently, Spellings served as the president of the 17-institution University of North Carolina System, leading the state’s public university into a new period of performance, affordability, and growth with a focus on improving economic mobility, ensuring accountability, and advancing the public good. Prior to that, Spellings served as president of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, where she oversaw programs on economic opportunity, education reform, global health, and special initiatives on women’s leadership and military service. From 2005 to 2009, Spellings served as U.S. Secretary of Education, leading the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, a bipartisan initiative to provide greater accountability for the education of 50 million U.S. public school students. As secretary, she also launched the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, a plan to address challenges of access, affordability, quality, and accountability in our nation’s colleges and universities. Prior to serving as Secretary, Spellings served as White House domestic policy advisor from 2001 to 2005, overseeing the administration’s agenda on education, transportation, health, justice, housing, and labor.Spellings experience also includes serving as senior advisor to then-Governor George W. Bush of Texas, president and CEO of Margaret Spellings and Company, a Washington, DC, consulting firm that provided strategic guidance on a variety of domestic policy matters, and as a president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, advocating for more effective education and workforce training.Spellings was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but spent much of her childhood in Houston. She is a graduate of the University of Houston, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science. She also received an honorary doctorate and Distinguished Alumni Award from the university in 2006. Spellings has two adult daughters and resides in Dallas.

After a month of uncertainty, Republican Paul Newby emerged as the eventual winner of the N.C. Supreme Court chief justice’s election, unseating incumbent Democrat Cheri Beasley. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, assesses Newby’s likely impact as the leader of the state’s highest court and top officer in North Carolina’s judicial branch. American history has faced attacks in recent years. But a textbook titled Land of Hope aims to renew interest in the traditional story of American greatness. Author Wilfred McClay, professor in the history of liberty at the University of Oklahoma, explains why he decided to set his scholarly work aside and focus instead on a book for a school-age audience. COVID-19 will continue to present challenges for the University of North Carolina System throughout the rest of the academic year. UNC President Peter Hans delivered a recent status report on plans for conducting spring semester classes at campuses across the state. Voters selected Catherine Truitt as North Carolina’s new superintendent of public instruction. During a recent online forum for the John Locke Foundation, Truitt discussed her priorities. At the top of the list: helping public schools cope with the disruption linked to the coronavirus pandemic. Voters also placed another new face on the statewide elected Council of State: Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson. Having worked with Dobson during his days as a state legislator, Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, discusses his approach to his new role. Gray also outlines some of Dobson’s top priorities, including protection of the state’s right-to-work status.

As we look forward to a new year, Carolina Journal Radio reviews some of the most interesting topics from 2020. 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 of legal studies, analyzes Barrett’s record. He discusses the new justice’s likely impact on the nation’s highest court. As Democratic presidential candidate, Joe Biden relied on advice from U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, known popularly as AOC, in developing policies related to energy and the environment. John Locke Foundation CEO Amy O. Cooke, “The Right AOC,” explains why the other AOC’s policy proposals would be wrong for America. COVID-19 has created challenges for everyone, including leaders of the University of North Carolina System. President Peter Hans recently briefed his Board of Governors on budget and access issues linked to the pandemic. If you follow the U.S. Supreme Court and constitutional law, you’ve likely heard the term “originalism.” Until recently, it’s been hard to find a book-length introduction to the concept. Ilan Wurman, visiting assistant professor at Arizona State University’s law school, attempts to fill that gap with the book A Debt Against The Living. Wurman explains why he wrote an introduction to originalism. He also shares its key themes. North Carolina taxpayers would pay the price if the state changes its law against public-sector collective bargaining. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, highlights a new report that tallies the potential costs.

There’s an urgent need to return N.C. public school students to in-person instruction. That’s the message Terry Stoops hopes to send. The John Locke Foundation’s vice president for research and director of education studies explains why the science and data suggest that school kids face much more danger of long-lasting negative effects if they remain stuck in forced online learning. Republicans will maintain control of both chambers of the N.C. General Assembly in 2021. After winning key elections this month, state Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, offered their reactions to voters’ decisions. Berger and Moore also discussed key issues likely to crop up in next year’s legislative session. COVID-19 has created challenges for everyone, including leaders of the University of North Carolina System. President Peter Hans recently briefed his Board of Governors on budget and access issues linked to the pandemic. The coronavirus has caused headaches for groups working to help military veterans find jobs in the civilian world. During a recent online presentation hosted by the John Locke Foundation, Kimberly Williams of the group North Carolina for Military Employment, NC4ME, discussed COVID-19’s impact on her group’s operations. Some national Democrats are pushing for presumptive President-elect Joe Biden to push a plan for packing the U.S. Supreme Court with new liberal justices. Brenée Goforth of the John Locke Foundation discusses the history of the court-packing debate. She explains why the idea is just as bad now as it was when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt proposed a similar scheme in the 1930s.

Siobhan Norris currently serves as the Military Liaison to the President of the University of North Carolina System where she develops strategic partnerships, programs, and policies to position the UNC system as a national leader in military affiliated enrollment and educational outcomes. She advocates on behalf of nearly 20,000 military connected students across the 16 UNC institutions of higher learning. Siobhan is a proud veteran of the US army and also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Ashford University and a masters in conflict management and resolution, peace studies and conflict resolution from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Check out this resource for ways to learn about and support military connected students:http://www.psycharmor.org

Whew!  Couples, money, and conflict.  It is almost as if these things are synonymous with each other.  In this episode, Tiffany sits down with counselor Rhonda Johnson to discuss how to manage conflict when talking about vulnerable topics such as money.  This episode not only applies to couples but singles as well.  Be prepared for your next money discussion.  Tune in! About Our Guest Rhonda Johnson is the owner and founder of Limitless Empowerment based in Central North Carolina. She is a Life Coach, Prepare/Enrich facilitator, and an Interpersonal Strategy Consultant, specializing in helping couples build strong relationships. Her passion and Limitless Empowerment’s primary function is to empower marriages and relationships that are suffering because of a lack of familiarity with communication and lackluster communication skills. Engaged and married couples are given lessons and guidance that build a strong foundation for a strong relationship. She is a counseling intern and along with couples, her primary function is to work with peri- and post-natal mothers who experience depression and anxiety for various reasons. In early July 2020, she was chosen to be part of a focus group conversation for NC Maternal Mental Health Matters, which is offered through the University of North Carolina System and provides support to primary care physicians in screening, assessing, and treating mental health concern with this population. Her why for working with couples is simple. To help build STRONG families that value healthy communication as a foundation to build something real and tangible for our children. These strong families are not in a perpetual statistic of unemployment, poverty, police brutality, or any other malady that can affect the human condition. Proper, heartfelt communication strengthens couples, strong couples strengthen families, strong families strengthen communities and strong communities change the world Additionally, when she was going through marital trouble (and her eventual divorce), she was very troubled by the fact that when she sought help for her marital troubles, there was no hope imparted and the process seemed cold. Hope is all we have when we begin a process and it’s important that you understand that I believe in you and your significant other. In addition, as a couple, we weren’t talking and no one addressed the fact that communication had completely broken down but that does not mean that the marriage is dead. It just means that the communication part of the relationship needs more attention and care, but it can be corrected. Connect with her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limitlessempowered/ Connect with her via email: rhondajay@limitlessempowerment.life Connect with Tiffany on Social Media Facebook: Money Talk With Tiff Twitter: @moneytalkwitht Instagram: @moneytalkwitht LinkedIn: Tiffany Grant YouTube: Money Talk With Tiff Channel Pinterest: Money Talk With Tiff

Joe Biden has officially accepted the nomination as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes the impact of the recent Democratic National Convention on the 2020 presidential race. The COVID-19 pandemic has generated questions about North Carolina’s housing supply. A recent online forum from the John Locke Foundation highlighted housing issues tied to the pandemic. State legislative staffer Brent Woodcox, founder of a group called YIMBY Raleigh, offered ideas about policy changes that could help residents deal with housing challenges. Mark Zimmerman, senior vice president of NC REALTORS, offered additional perspective. During the midst of the pandemic, the University of North Carolina System welcomed Peter Hans as its new president. Hans delivered a first-day-on-the-job message to UNC campuses across the state. He focused on addressing the university’s priorities during difficult times. North Carolina awaits the next step in the long-running Leandro school funding lawsuit. Jeanette Doran, president and general counsel at the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, dissects key constitutional concerns surrounding a case that involves courts in policy decisions that usually reside within the General Assembly. In the midst of a pandemic, one western N.C. hospital is battling a campaign to unionize nurses. Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, discusses the conflict between HCA Healthcare, the largest hospital system in America, and the National Nurses Organizing Committee, the nation’s largest registered nurses’ union.

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.

Our guest is Timothy A. Minor, Vice President for University Advancement at The University of North Carolina System and today's trend line includes:The "Why" behind his passion for higher education,The UNC System Advancement officeand challenges presented by COVID-19.Here's a quick listening guide:at 2:08 A career in advancement "is all about the WHY."at 3:33 Advice for newcomers to the field, "Your greater is coming!"at 5:37 Campus Advancement vs System Advancementat 10:02 Navigating the political landscape of working with Board of Governors and General Assemblyat 14:01 Return on Investment on advancement spending 7:1, 12:1, 16:1at 15:55 COVID-19 and The UNC approachat 18:00 Impact on campaigns in North Carolinaat 18:55 COVID Creativity - Shout out to Nancy Bird (Penn State)at 20:26 Social equity through education and systemic racism conversations at 22:26 "at least for me, and I'm African-American, having these conversations and seeing the news every day on what's happening in America has brought out a little PTSD in me and some of the things that I have suppressed just to go about my day-to-day have started to leak out in other ways."at 23:41 The final word on the state of the profession.

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.

RALEIGH, N.C. (July 6, 2020) – In the latest episode of Your Point of Pride – The Podcast, Karrie G. Dixon, chancellor of Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), talks about the importance of vision for her personal success and that of her university. Dixon, a transformational leader, has served the institution as its chief executive officer since 2018. Her focus is on increasing enrollment, leveraging resources, enhancing all aspects of the ECSU campus, and strengthening stakeholder engagement. “I found the conversation with Chancellor Dixon to be enlightening,” said Nicole Pride, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Your Point of Pride LLC. “She clearly describes the importance of having both a personal and professional vision. Pride and Dixon also discussed mentorship, effective leadership and imposter syndrome. “Everybody experiences (imposter syndrome) at some point in their career,” Dixon said. “Prior to me pursuing this job as chancellor, I was a little unsure. As women, we often experience being overlooked … I had to come to the understanding that it is what it is, all I can do is be me and show you that I can do the work.” Since Dixon’s arrival, ECSU has experienced positive growth in a number of areas. In just 18 months, enrollment climbed nearly 40%, degree program offerings have expanded, and the university increased its fleet from two to 12 aircrafts for the university’s signature aviation program. Prior to ECSU, Dixon served as vice president for academic and student affairs, as well as, chief student affairs officer for the University of North Carolina System. In that position, she was tasked with overseeing and shaping system-wide policy to ensure overall success for more than 220,000 students in 17 institutions. In 2019, Dixon was awarded the Old North State Award, one of North Carolina’s highest honors. She was also named one of “The Ten Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2020” by the HBCU Campaign Fund. Dixon holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations from North Carolina State University, a master’s degree in speech communications and rhetoric from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a doctor of education from N.C. State. She and her husband have two daughters.

In a matter of weeks, N.C. voters will participate in the Super Tuesday elections. Democrats are likely to face heated presidential and U.S. Senate primaries, Republicans will decide who should face incumbent Roy Cooper in the governor’s race, and members of both parties will see other important races on primary ballots. No one will have to show a voter ID. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, assesses key issues in play as Super Tuesday approaches. North Carolina has made significant reforms to its alcohol regulations in recent years. There’s still plenty of room to relax decades-old restrictions that block growth of booming craft beer and distillery operations. John Trump, Carolina Journal managing editor, offers an alcohol law update. Leaders of the University of North Carolina System continue to focus on ensuring protection of viewpoint diversity on UNC campuses. During a recent forum, UNC Board of Governors member Steve Long shared his concerns about efforts to ensure a wide range of political views among campus faculty. Harvard has faced high-profile legal challenges to its admissions process in recent years. During a recent Hayek Lecture at Duke University, economics professor Peter Arcidiacono shared highlights of his analysis of Harvard’s admissions. Arcidiacono explains how athletic and legacy admissions influence the mix of whites and minorities admitted to the Ivy League school. Fewer teachers are leaving their jobs in N.C. public schools, according to the latest official state teacher turnover report. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, analyzes the latest numbers.

As National School Choice Week approaches, it’s a good time to highlight the growth of parental school choice in North Carolina. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, sifts through the data. Stoops explains why more and more parents are opting for alternatives to traditional district schools. The libertarian Cato Institute has taken an interest in North Carolina’s campaign to reform the state’s criminal laws. Jay Schweikert, policy analyst with Cato’s Project on Criminal Justice, explains why his group focuses its attention on reform. Cato and the John Locke Foundation hosted a recent summit highlighting reform efforts. The nation’s longest-running U.S. District Court vacancy has been filled after 14 years. As U.S. senators voted to confirm Richard Myers as the newest judge for North Carolina’s Eastern District, Senior N.C. Sen. Richard Burr praised Myers as he explained his “yes” vote. One of the University of North Carolina System’s most vocal internal critics turned his attention recently to “social justice” on campus. UNC-Wilmington criminology Professor Mike Adams shared personal anecdotes and highlighted the larger negative impact of social justice on the academic pursuit of truth. As the 2020 N.C. election season begins, a “Locker Room Talk” segment focuses on two important election-related developments. First, a federal judge has blocked the state from implementing its new voter ID law. Second, the State Board of Elections has ruled against the state Republican Party and allowed candidates William Weld and Joe Walsh to challenge Donald Trump on the GOP presidential primary ballot.

Debate about public education in North Carolina gets bogged down by some popular myths. The myths include misconceptions about teacher pay and the impact of school choice on public school enrollment. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, addresses those myths and attempts to correct the record. Occupational licensing laws limit economic opportunities in North Carolina. During a recent speech for the Federalist Society in Raleigh, attorney Justin Pearson of the Institute for Justice explained how. Pearson shares highlights from that presentation in a one-on-one interview. The University of North Carolina System has faced several recent high-profile controversies. But system leaders are focusing on positive initiatives heading into the new year. Interim President Dr. William Roper recently highlighted some of the positive news for the system’s Board of Governors. The Leandro school-funding lawsuit has been influencing N.C. public policy for a quarter century. Jeanette Doran, president and general counsel of the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, discusses recent developments in the case. She highlights observers’ concerns that a judge could order the General Assembly to spend $8 billion more on education programs over the next eight years. N.C. policymakers could take steps to reduce health care costs without touching any policy related to the federal Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. Instead they could eliminate some of the 53 state health insurance mandates. Jordan Roberts, John Locke Foundation health care policy analyst, is highlighting the impact of those mandates on N.C. health care.

Today we have the president of LTC University on the podcast, Dr. Jimmie Williamson. Dr. Williamson has been a lifelong educator, having served as President of two Community Colleges and President of both the South and North Carolina System of Community Colleges. Having also worked in long-term post-acute care for eight years, he brings a unique perspective to education within the post-acute care setting. Today we discuss the leadership principles of the greatest leader of all time, Jesus. Even if you are not religious, you will get a lot out of this podcast. Enjoy the show!

Assaulting a referee can carry a more serious criminal penalty than assaulting your neighbor. That’s just one of the curiosities associated with North Carolina’s criminal code. Mike Schietzelt, John Locke Foundation criminal justice fellow, discusses a process designed to identify and compile all of North Carolina’s laws. Once compiled, policymakers could decide whether it makes sense for those two different types of assault to be treated so differently. If you agree that state government should play a larger role in school construction, you likely would support an option that provides more money more quickly — and at a lower overall cost — than the standard school construction bond. State Rep. Dean Arp, R-Union, says that option exists with the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund. Arp explains how the SCIF could help North Carolina address school construction without taking on billions of dollars in new debt. The University of North Carolina System is touting its latest enrollment numbers. Interim President William Roper recently highlighted the news for the university’s Board of Governors. Roper mentioned the positive impact of two programs that help limit tuition charges for new students. The nation recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. In connection with that milestone, the Center for the Study of Free Enterprise at Western Carolina University hosted a talk from the youngest man ever to walk on the moon. Charlotte native Charlie Duke shared stories from his famous space trip. He also offered students advice about following through on promising career opportunities. Government planners tend to love mass transit. Most everyone else tends to prefer driving in a car. Jon Sanders, John Locke Foundation director of regulatory studies, explains that more and more people are enjoying the freedom to drive cars. Sanders discusses the policy implications for North Carolina.

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.

Voters in two N.C. congressional districts headed to the polls for special elections this week. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes results from the special 3rd District and 9th District races. Henderson looks ahead to possible implications for Republicans and Democrats running in 2020. Political polarization has had major effects on American political life. Thomas Cushman, professor of sociology at Wellesley College and a 2018-19 visiting research fellow at Wake Forest, examines the impact of polarization on support for free speech. Cushman says surveys show that young people divide on ideological grounds over whether to give precedence to inclusion and diversity over freedom of expression. Some state lawmakers want to make it easier for victims of childhood sexual abuse to take their alleged perpetrators to court. The N.C. House recently debated legislation designed to accomplish that task. You’ll hear highlights. Lawmakers also devoted some debate time recently to a bill that would streamline the process for students seeking college credit for their high school Advanced Placement courses. Some lawmakers objected to lauding the University of North Carolina System’s work on the issue. The specific objection involved near-automatic credit for students scoring a three or higher on AP tests. You’ll hear what lawmakers had to say for and against that idea. The N.C. Department of Public Instruction has released its latest report on public school students’ standardized test performance. In general, school and student performance is up slightly. Meanwhile, the state graduation rate remains fairly constant, and some education officials have raised concerns about areas of stagnation. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, dissects the numbers. Stoops focuses on the most significant trends.

Timothy Minor is the vice president for University Advancement for the University of North Carolina System. He is responsible for administrative direction and support for external funding to meet the priority needs within the UNC multi-campus university which is composed of all 17 of North Carolina's public institutions, including the NC School of Science and Mathematics, the nation's first public residential high school for gifted students. Prior to joining the UNC System Office, Timothy served as the associate vice chancellor for University Advancement at North Carolina A&T State University for five years where he led fundraising initiatives and day-to-day operations of A&T's central development office. Minor started his career in university development in 1994 at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by 12 years at UNC at Chapel Hill as a senior member of the Development Office, serving in various major gift director roles in the University's $500 million Bicentennial Campaign and the university's largest campaign, the $2.3 billion Carolina First Campaign that concluded in 2007. He was appointed to the role as associate vice president at UNC System Office in September 2013 and became vice president in September 2014. Minor received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned a Master of Public Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. What you'll learn about in this episode: How Timothy transitioned from his life as a college athlete to working in higher education at the University of North Carolina How Timothy defines his advancement work and how it closely relates to business development How Timothy recommends that professionals network within the advancement field, and why it matters to be bold and reach out Why Timothy defines the impact he has made in his career not by the money he has raised but by the lives that have been changed by his work Why Timothy's fundraising efforts create a dramatic impact on the entire community Why corporate donors and community involvement are vital components of advancement work What suggestions Timothy has for smaller institutions who want to inspire community involvement and reach out to different sponsor types How a typical fundraising campaign is structured, and why those provide a great opportunity to involve key donors in the planning process Why public universities generally don't do a great job fundraising, and how Timothy works to raise student awareness of the school's philanthropic needs Why people who work in advancement hold a broad variety of skill sets, and why teamwork serves as a critical component of success Additional resources: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/timothyminor/ Planned Giving Homepage: http://northcarolinalegacy.org/ Donor Stories: https://www.northcarolina.edu/donor-stories 2019 UNC System Advancement Symposium: https://www.northcarolina.edu/University-Advancement/2019-UNC-System-Advancement-Symposium University Advancement/Donor Advised Fund Program: https://www.northcarolina.edu/news/2019/04/University-North-Carolina-System-Launches-Donor-Advised-Fund-Program Give to UNC System: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1801/template/interior/interior.aspx?sid=1801&gid=2&pgid=401&cid=1042

Steven King, Associate Professor of Interactive and Multimedia at The University of North Carolina’s School of Media and Journalism, joined the podcast to talk about why virtual reality has the opportunity to surpass the experiential benefits of the traditional campus tour.

Tax incentives are back in the headlines. Carolina Journal reports the rare story of a major aircraft industry company building operations in Winston-Salem without seeking any handouts from state local government. Meanwhile, S.C. legislators squabble over a multimillion-dollar incentives package designed to lure the Carolina Panthers business operations south of the state line. Rick Henderson, CJ editor-in-chief, analyzes the latest incentives news. North Carolina has made billions of dollars in promises to retired state workers. Those promises involve both pensions and health care. State Treasurer Dale Folwell focuses on the price of those promises. He’s warning policymakers about the importance of ensuring the state’s ability to keep those promises. Medicaid expansion dominates much of North Carolina’s current discussion of health care reform. But some leading state senators continue to object to the expansion proposal originally tied to the Affordable Care Act. You’ll hear their alternative plan for shoring up the existing Medicaid program. Members of the University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors continue to raise questions about rising costs linked to tuition and fees. You’ll hear highlights from their most recent public discussion of the topic. Policymakers have been looking for ways to address North Carolina’s transportation needs as the gas tax becomes a less reliable funding source. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow, recently testified before a state Board of Transportation committee on tax principles to consider when modernizing transportation revenues. Coletti summarizes his key findings.

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.

After months of controversy involving his job status, East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil Staton has announced his resignation. He’ll collect a severance package of nearly $600,000. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes Staton’s decision and the implications for the University of North Carolina System’s Board of Governors. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that unions representing state government workers couldn’t force nonmembers to pay union dues. The winning plaintiff in that case, Mark Janus, continues his fight against forced unionization. Now a senior fellow with the Liberty Justice Center, Janus recently visited North Carolina to discuss his case and its aftermath. Some state lawmakers want to change North Carolina’s rules governing liquor sales. Carol Shaw of the General Assembly’s Program Evaluation Division recently offered some recommendations for how to proceed with reforms. Economic freedom, not socialism, offers the path toward wealthier, health societies. Southern Methodist University economist Robert Lawson delivered that message during a recent speech at Duke University. Lawson shared highlights from an annual report on economic freedom in countries around the world. North Carolina’s haphazard collection of criminal laws creates a losing proposition for N.C. taxpayers. Mike Schietzelt, criminal justice fellow at the John Locke Foundation, explains how taxpayers would benefit from a complete overhaul of the state’s criminal code.

North Carolina could make a major improvement to its tax system by ending taxation of capital gains. But the state doesn’t have to scrap its capital gains tax completely to move in the right direction. Roy Cordato, John Locke Foundation senior economist, recommends capping the capital gains tax at its current rate. With that step, the rate would never climb again, even if future legislatures decide to raise taxes in other types of income. The University of North Carolina System could do a better job recruiting military veterans as students. The system’s Board of Governors heard that message recently from Jared Lyon, president and CEO of the group Student Veterans of America. You’ll hear highlights from his remarks. Political observers are already looking ahead to the 2020 elections. John Locke Foundation Chairman John Hood warns against relying too heavily on 2018 election results when making predictions about 2020. Hood offers his own thoughts about trends and factors to keep in mind at this stage of the election cycle. State legislators recently loosened restrictions on one of North Carolina’s key targeted tax incentive programs. The decision to raise the per-job cap for the Job Development Investment Grant generated heated debate among N.C. House Republicans. North Carolina has made great strides in expanding parental school choice during the past decade. As National School Choice Week concludes, we review this state’s recent achievements with help from Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies.

Voters have broken veto-proof Republican supermajorities in the N.C. General Assembly. The November election results ensure a more powerful role for both the Democratic minority and Gov. Roy Cooper. Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, analyzes the election’s significance. The United States and other Western nations are choosing to reject the economic Miracle that has generated most of the world’s prosperity. That’s the assessment of Jonah Goldberg. The American Enterprise Institute Scholar and National Review senior editor explains his assessment in the recent book Suicide of the West. He discussed key themes from the book during a recent visit to Chapel Hill. The University of North Carolina System has turned to the retiring CEO of UNC Health Care to lead the state’s public universities on an interim basis. Dr. William Roper recently shared with reporters his reaction to the appointment as interim UNC president. Conservative principles can improve public policy at all levels of government. P.J. Connelly is applying those principles to his job as mayor of Greenville. It’s the largest N.C. city with a Republican mayor. Connelly discusses his priorities and challenges as a conservative working in local government. Democrats made big gains in N.C. judicial elections on the statewide November ballot. The state’s voters also approved four of six proposed constitutional amendments. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes the significance of the only ballot items every N.C. voter faced this year.

Commencement ceremonies take place this Saturday on the campus of UNC-Asheville. The school's interim chancellor Joe Urgo says this year's graduating class is the largest in recent memory, while the incoming class of freshman this fall is the largest in school history. Urgo sat down with BPR's Matt Bush to discuss news at the school, including the search for a full-time chancellor (expect something by the end of May). Urgo also discussed something he spoke about at a recent appearance in Western North Carolina by Margaret Spellings, the president of the University of North Carolina System - his desire to see higher education build the "thoughtforce" as much as it does the workforce. Urgo says there are a lot of intractable problems in the world right now - specifically noting climate change and racial inequity - and that the thinking that created those problems will not fix them. As the UNC-System's liberal arts university, Urgo believes UNC-Asheville is in a unique spot to do this. Urgo also discussed several initiatives and programs the university is undertaking to build a more diverse student body.

Commencement ceremonies take place this Saturday on the campus of UNC-Asheville. The school's interim chancellor Joe Urgo says this year's graduating class is the largest in recent memory, while the incoming class of freshman this fall is the largest in school history. Urgo sat down with BPR's Matt Bush to discuss news at the school, including the search for a full-time chancellor (expect something by the end of May). Urgo also discussed something he spoke about at a recent appearance in Western North Carolina by Margaret Spellings, the president of the University of North Carolina System - his desire to see higher education build the "thoughtforce" as much as it does the workforce. Urgo says there are a lot of intractable problems in the world right now - specifically noting climate change and racial inequity - and that the thinking that created those problems will not fix them. As the UNC-System's liberal arts university, Urgo believes UNC-Asheville is in a unique spot to do this. Urgo also discussed several initiatives and programs the university is undertaking to build a more diverse student body.