Podcast Summary: BigDeal – "Higher Education Is Broken... This is How We Fix It | Ryan Streeter"

Release Date: November 19, 2024

Hosts and Guests:

• Host: Codie Sanchez, entrepreneur, investor, and reformed journalist.
• Guest: Ryan Streeter, Director of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas, former director at the American Enterprise Institute, multi-time author, and seasoned policy expert.

1. Introduction

In this episode of BigDeal, Codie Sanchez engages in a profound conversation with Ryan Streeter, a prominent figure in policy research and higher education reform. Codie introduces Ryan by highlighting his extensive experience in Washington D.C., his scholarly work, and his current role in launching the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas.

Codie Sanchez (00:00): "Higher education is broken... let's fix it with Ryan Streeter."

2. The Role of Think Tanks in Policy Making

Definition and Influence: Ryan elucidates the fundamental role think tanks play in shaping public policy. He describes them as organizations that blend research with advocacy to influence policymakers and media discourse.

Ryan Streeter (01:59): "A think tank is like a catch-all term for a certain type of organization... their goal is to influence the way that policymakers and the media think about those things."

Operational Dynamics: Ryan contrasts different think tanks, emphasizing the independence found in institutions like the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where scholars maintain autonomy over their research.

Ryan Streeter (04:00): "Some of them have sort of house views... but at AEI, the scholars have independence."

Impact During Crises: He recounts the pivotal role think tanks played during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing significantly to the formulation of relief policies.

Ryan Streeter (07:00): "During the COVID relief bills... our scholars were involved in those discussions and I think had an outsized influence on the results."

3. Challenges to Higher Education

Current Issues: Codie and Ryan delve into the myriad challenges facing modern universities, including ideological polarization, protests, and a perceived drift towards leftist ideologies.

Codie Sanchez (55:49): "From students protesting pro-Hamas at NYU to racial divides at schools... the university system appears broken."

Implications: Ryan discusses how these issues contribute to a fragmented educational environment, hindering effective learning and civic engagement.

4. Civitas Institute: Mission and Vision

Founding Purpose: Ryan introduces the Civitas Institute, a newly established think tank at the University of Texas aimed at restoring foundational American principles within higher education.

Ryan Streeter (20:38): "Civitas is committed to the principles of a free society... teaching it in a historically accurate and proper way."

Multidisciplinary Approach: He emphasizes the institute's multidisciplinary curriculum, akin to the British PPE model, integrating philosophy, politics, and economics to provide a holistic education.

Ryan Streeter (23:38): "The multidisciplinary aspect... like the British PPE model of education."

Growth and Collaboration: Ryan outlines the institute's collaborative efforts with the School of Civic Leadership, detailing plans for faculty hiring and program development.

Ryan Streeter (23:38): "We have gone through our first round of faculty hiring this year... we'll have about 20 full-time faculty teaching in the school by the third year."

5. University Funding and Student Debt

Rising Costs: The conversation shifts to the escalating costs of higher education, with student loan debt approaching $2 trillion.

Codie Sanchez (34:25): "Student loan debt all-time highs, almost $2 trillion... do we need reform on that?"

Income Share Agreements: Ryan discusses innovative funding models like Income Share Agreements (ISAs), which tie repayment to a percentage of graduates' future earnings, offering a more flexible alternative to traditional loans.

Ryan Streeter (37:29): "Income Share Agreements... instead of paying a set amount, you're paying a percentage of your income."

Cost Control Measures: He highlights successful examples like Purdue University under Mitch Daniels, where tuition was stabilized while enhancing academic rankings and commercialization efforts.

Ryan Streeter (38:42): "Mitch Daniels at Purdue kept tuition at the same rate his entire decade... while increasing their ranking."

6. The Value of MBA Programs

Debate on Worth: Codie raises questions about the return on investment (ROI) of MBA programs, noting the contrasting opinions online.

Codie Sanchez (46:57): "MBAs are a scam... should never do them... if you want to do business, go do business."

Integration with the Marketplace: Ryan responds by acknowledging that while some MBA programs offer significant value through strong industry connections and practical experience, the benefits largely depend on the program's reputation and integration with employers.

Ryan Streeter (47:04): "Integration with the employer marketplace... determines whether it's worth going there."

Success Stories: He cites the University of Texas's business school, recognized for its accounting program and successful alumni, as an example of effective MBA programs.

Ryan Streeter (47:01): "Our business school has the number one accounting program in the country... graduates have landed and performed well in the marketplace."

7. Media Narratives vs. Reality

Survey Reliability: The duo discusses the prevalence of misleading or poorly conducted surveys, emphasizing the importance of scrutinizing sample sizes and methodologies.

Ryan Streeter (73:09): "If a sample size is small... you should be wary of it."

Critical Consumption: Ryan advises listeners to consume information from credible sources and be cautious of sensationalized data that may not represent the broader population.

Ryan Streeter (76:08): "Pick multiple perspectives... study counter-views to understand presuppositions."

8. Trump's Education Policies

Department of Education: Codie brings up Donald Trump's proposal to eliminate the Department of Education, prompting Ryan to analyze its feasibility and implications.

Ryan Streeter (78:20): "Schools are still public... a way of trying to get the federal government out of the business of monitoring or creating policies that have to be implemented in public schools."

Fiscal Priorities: Ryan emphasizes that dismantling the Department of Education would have a negligible effect compared to addressing larger fiscal issues like entitlements and national debt.

Ryan Streeter (83:15): "The bigger issues are entitlements like Social Security and Medicare... the Department of Education has a whole lot to do with that."

9. Navigating Information

Reliable Sources: Ryan recommends trustworthy outlets like The Economist, The Dispatch, and his own Civitas Institute’s upcoming publication, Civitas Outlook, for balanced and comprehensive coverage of economic and policy issues.

Ryan Streeter (87:59): "We’re going to be publishing a lot of articles on Civitas Outlook... informative for people."

Civitas Institute Resources: Listeners are encouraged to explore the Civitas Institute's resources for accessible policy analysis and research.

Ryan Streeter (87:59): "We encourage everyone to read broadly and use Civitas Outlet as a resource."

10. Closing Thoughts: Optimism Amidst Challenges

Optimism in American Society: Despite prevailing narratives of decline, Ryan shares his observations of inherent optimism and resilience among working-class Americans, particularly within Black and Hispanic communities.

Ryan Streeter (94:47): "There's an amazing amount of optimism and resilience among working-class Americans... more bullish on the American dream."

Contrasting Narratives: He contrasts this grassroots optimism with the often negative portrayals propagated by elite institutions and media, suggesting a disconnect between public sentiment and institutional narratives.

Ryan Streeter (97:20): "The media narrative is controlled by people who think the country's going to hell in a hand basket... ordinary Americans can sniff that out."

Final Encouragement: Ryan urges listeners to recognize and nurture this optimism, highlighting its importance for community strength and economic dynamism.

Ryan Streeter (98:47): "The real source of optimism is that the media narrative doesn't reflect everyone's experience, which can bring your blood pressure down."

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Streeter (07:00): "During the COVID relief bills... our scholars were involved in those discussions and I think had an outsized influence on the results."

• Codie Sanchez (34:25): "Student loan debt all-time highs, almost $2 trillion... do we need reform on that?"

• Ryan Streeter (55:49): "A lot of the media narrative is controlled by people who think the country's going to hell in a hand basket... but working-class Americans are more optimistic."

Conclusion:

In this insightful episode, BigDeal masterfully navigates the intricate issues plaguing higher education and public policy. Ryan Streeter provides a compelling case for educational reform through initiatives like the Civitas Institute, emphasizing the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches and practical application in curricula. The discussion also critically examines the financial burdens of higher education, the true value of advanced degrees, and the pervasive influence of media narratives. Ultimately, the conversation underscores a hopeful vision for America's future, driven by the resilience and optimism of its working-class citizens.

For more information on the Civitas Institute and upcoming publications, visit civitas.utexas.edu.