Is College Worth It? Re-Imagining Higher Education | Janine Davidson | TEDxMSUDenver

Summary

In this TED Talk, a non-traditional university president shares his journey from the US Air Force to leading Metropolitan State University of Denver. He discusses the fading American Dream, highlighting economic mobility research showing reduced chances for lower-class Americans to ascend socio-economically compared to the past and even Canada. He emphasizes the importance of higher education for individual and societal benefits, criticizes the current college funding model, and calls for reinvestment, challenging the traditional four-year college narrative. He advocates for flexible pathways and partnerships to support students' success.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker is a non-traditional university president with a unique background, having served in the US Air Force and the Obama administration.
• 🚀 He began his career as a C-130 pilot and later became the Undersecretary of the Navy, which is a high-ranking civilian position.
• 😅 He humorously mentions being 'fired' from his government position, which led to his transition to academia.
• 😲 The fading American Dream was a wake-up call for him, as research showed a significant decrease in social mobility for Americans born in the 1980s compared to the 1940s.
• 📊 A key statistic highlighted is that in America, only 7.5% of those born poor have a chance of reaching the top 20% of earners, compared to 13.5% in Canada.
• 🏛 MSU Denver is an open-access, regional comprehensive university that aims to provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
• 👨‍🎓 The story of Theodore DeWeese is used as an example of how students from low-income backgrounds can succeed with the right opportunities and support.
• 💼 The speaker argues that higher education is not just beneficial for individuals but also for society, as it leads to better economic outcomes and lower crime rates.
• 💵 The cost of higher education has risen dramatically, making it difficult for students to work their way through college as was common in the past.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges the narrative that college is not for everyone or that it's too expensive, suggesting that societal investment in higher education is crucial.
• 👥 He calls for a collective effort to reinvest in education, change the narrative around college, and create flexible pathways for students to succeed.

Q & A

What was the speaker's career path before becoming a university president?

The speaker began his career in the US Air Force as a C-130 pilot and later served in the Obama administration as the Undersecretary of the Navy.

Why did the speaker transition from his role in the Obama administration to a university president?

The speaker was fired from his position in the Obama administration, and 2016 was a wake-up call for him to focus on the fading American dream and the challenges faced by the current generation.

What is the significance of the American dream in the context of the speaker's talk?

The American dream, as discussed by the speaker, refers to the decreasing likelihood of individuals achieving a higher socio-economic status than their parents, particularly for those born in the 1980s and later.

How does the speaker compare the American dream's realization in the US to Canada?

The speaker points out that in the US, the chances of someone from a low socio-economic background reaching higher economic levels is only 7.5%, compared to 13.5% in Canada.

What is the role of MSU Denver in the speaker's narrative?

MSU Denver is a regional comprehensive university with open access, meaning it admits students regardless of their socio-economic background or high school preparation, providing them with the opportunity to achieve the American dream.

What is the story of Theodore DeWeese mentioned by the speaker?

Theodore DeWeese is an example of a student who overcame his low-income background and lack of college preparation to graduate from MSU Denver and eventually become a top cancer doctor at Johns Hopkins University.

How does the speaker address the common belief that college is not for everyone?

The speaker refutes this belief by stating that a higher degree is necessary in today's economy and society, and that college education leads to better economic outcomes and societal benefits.

What is the impact of the disinvestment in higher education according to the speaker?

The speaker argues that the systematic disinvestment in higher education has made college more expensive and less accessible, flipping the burden of tuition costs from the state to the students.

Why does the speaker criticize the four-year college model?

The speaker criticizes the four-year model because it does not work for many students who need to work while studying, leading to longer times to graduate and more debt.

What solutions does the speaker propose to improve access to higher education?

The speaker suggests reinvesting in higher education, pushing back against the narrative that college doesn't matter, creating flexible pathways for students, and partnering with employers to support students throughout their education.

What is the speaker's call to action at the end of his talk?

The speaker calls for a collective effort to ensure that the American dream is a possibility for the next generation by providing better access to higher education.