it’s no secret that our country is deeply divided but if there’s one thing
deeply divided but if there’s one thing
deeply divided but if there’s one thing we probably share in common it’s the
we probably share in common it’s the
we probably share in common it’s the notion that we all ought to have an
notion that we all ought to have an
notion that we all ought to have an opportunity to pursue the American dream
opportunity to pursue the American dream
opportunity to pursue the American dream this notion that we can work hard we can
this notion that we can work hard we can
this notion that we can work hard we can make it to the middle class
make it to the middle class
make it to the middle class my father had that dream he was born in
my father had that dream he was born in
my father had that dream he was born in 1935 in a little small town in love and
1935 in a little small town in love and
1935 in a little small town in love and Worth Kansas and was he was growing up
Worth Kansas and was he was growing up
Worth Kansas and was he was growing up he really didn’t have a lot of influence
he really didn’t have a lot of influence
he really didn’t have a lot of influence from his father his father rode the
from his father his father rode the
from his father his father rode the railways and sorted the mail sort of the
railways and sorted the mail sort of the
railways and sorted the mail sort of the thing you see happening in the movies
thing you see happening in the movies
thing you see happening in the movies was a train speeds through town they
was a train speeds through town they
was a train speeds through town they hang the mail on the hook and he sorts
hang the mail on the hook and he sorts
hang the mail on the hook and he sorts the mail on to the next town and in fact
the mail on to the next town and in fact
the mail on to the next town and in fact when my dad was a young man in junior
when my dad was a young man in junior
when my dad was a young man in junior high school he decided to leave the
high school he decided to leave the
high school he decided to leave the family entirely so my father was
family entirely so my father was
family entirely so my father was essentially raised by his mother when he
essentially raised by his mother when he
essentially raised by his mother when he graduated high school in 1953 he really
graduated high school in 1953 he really
graduated high school in 1953 he really didn’t know what he wanted to do with
didn’t know what he wanted to do with
didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life so he started driving the milk
his life so he started driving the milk
his life so he started driving the milk truck a little two-ton milk truck around
truck a little two-ton milk truck around
truck a little two-ton milk truck around town drove delivering milk and cream to
town drove delivering milk and cream to
town drove delivering milk and cream to businesses the local prison the Veterans
businesses the local prison the Veterans
businesses the local prison the Veterans Administration Hospital and his best
Administration Hospital and his best
Administration Hospital and his best friend this was a time period just
friend this was a time period just
friend this was a time period just between the Korean War and the Vietnam
between the Korean War and the Vietnam
between the Korean War and the Vietnam War his best friend was headed off to
War his best friend was headed off to
War his best friend was headed off to join the service because he was afraid
join the service because he was afraid
join the service because he was afraid of getting his draft notice and my dad
of getting his draft notice and my dad
of getting his draft notice and my dad not having anything better to do
not having anything better to do
not having anything better to do decided to join him so he signed up for
decided to join him so he signed up for
decided to join him so he signed up for the Navy he spent 4 years in the Navy
the Navy he spent 4 years in the Navy
the Navy he spent 4 years in the Navy mostly in the South Pacific on an
mostly in the South Pacific on an
mostly in the South Pacific on an aircraft carrier learning how to fix
aircraft carrier learning how to fix
aircraft carrier learning how to fix airplanes and we got out of the Navy he
airplanes and we got out of the Navy he
airplanes and we got out of the Navy he came back home and had access to the GI
came back home and had access to the GI
came back home and had access to the GI Bill he decided to go off to college
Bill he decided to go off to college
Bill he decided to go off to college gonna go to the University of Kansas
gonna go to the University of Kansas
gonna go to the University of Kansas he’d been a Jayhawk fan all his life and
he’d been a Jayhawk fan all his life and
he’d been a Jayhawk fan all his life and that’s what he wanted to do but he
that’s what he wanted to do but he
that’s what he wanted to do but he hadn’t really taken the right curriculum
hadn’t really taken the right curriculum
hadn’t really taken the right curriculum in high school and when he got to
in high school and when he got to
in high school and when he got to college he lasted a few weeks and he
college he lasted a few weeks and he
college he lasted a few weeks and he dropped out he wasn’t prepared
dropped out he wasn’t prepared
dropped out he wasn’t prepared luckily for my father this was a time in
luckily for my father this was a time in
luckily for my father this was a time in the country when having a college degree
the country when having a college degree
the country when having a college degree wasn’t necessary so he went and got his
wasn’t necessary so he went and got his
wasn’t necessary so he went and got his Telecommunications license and he ended
Telecommunications license and he ended
Telecommunications license and he ended up working for 38 years of the place
up working for 38 years of the place
up working for 38 years of the place that some of you will remember called
that some of you will remember called
that some of you will remember called Transworld airlines he retired there for
Transworld airlines he retired there for
Transworld airlines he retired there for 38 years he carried a lunchbox and a
38 years he carried a lunchbox and a
38 years he carried a lunchbox and a thermos to work that was lovingly
thermos to work that was lovingly
thermos to work that was lovingly prepared by my mother
prepared by my mother
prepared by my mother he was able to provide a middle class
he was able to provide a middle class
he was able to provide a middle class the middle class dream the American
the middle class dream the American
the middle class dream the American dream for his family he paid for and
dream for his family he paid for and
dream for his family he paid for and sent two boys off to college and we were
sent two boys off to college and we were
sent two boys off to college and we were able to do so without a penny of student
able to do so without a penny of student
able to do so without a penny of student loan debt we literally lived in the
loan debt we literally lived in the
loan debt we literally lived in the white house on the hill we had a little
white house on the hill we had a little
white house on the hill we had a little fence in the backyard I always had a dog
fence in the backyard I always had a dog
fence in the backyard I always had a dog in the backyard we always had two cars
in the backyard we always had two cars
in the backyard we always had two cars that were always working one that he
that were always working one that he
that were always working one that he used a carpool back and forth with his
used a carpool back and forth with his
used a carpool back and forth with his people that worked over at Trans World
people that worked over at Trans World
people that worked over at Trans World Airlines but the world today is a very
Airlines but the world today is a very
Airlines but the world today is a very very different place for my dad who was
very different place for my dad who was
very different place for my dad who was part of what’s called the Silent
part of what’s called the Silent
part of what’s called the Silent Generation only 13% of his generation
Generation only 13% of his generation
Generation only 13% of his generation graduated with college the rest just a
graduated with college the rest just a
graduated with college the rest just a high school education and only 5% of
high school education and only 5% of
high school education and only 5% of those people with a high school
those people with a high school
those people with a high school education ended up living in poverty
education ended up living in poverty
education ended up living in poverty today we know that a college education
today we know that a college education
today we know that a college education has a tremendous impact on our personal
has a tremendous impact on our personal
has a tremendous impact on our personal lives and on the well-being of our
lives and on the well-being of our
lives and on the well-being of our community we know in the area of health
community we know in the area of health
community we know in the area of health that people that have a college
that people that have a college
that people that have a college education are less likely to be obese
education are less likely to be obese
education are less likely to be obese there are 17% less likely to smoke 25%
there are 17% less likely to smoke 25%
there are 17% less likely to smoke 25% more likely to exercise according to
more likely to exercise according to
more likely to exercise according to national standards in the area of civic
national standards in the area of civic
national standards in the area of civic engagement people with a college
engagement people with a college
engagement people with a college education are more likely to attend
education are more likely to attend
education are more likely to attend events like this more likely to join
events like this more likely to join
events like this more likely to join civic organizations they have a greater
civic organizations they have a greater
civic organizations they have a greater appreciation of the Arts they live in
appreciation of the Arts they live in
appreciation of the Arts they live in communities that have lower crime rates
communities that have lower crime rates
communities that have lower crime rates they are twice as likely to vote in
they are twice as likely to vote in
they are twice as likely to vote in elections and they’re more tolerant and
elections and they’re more tolerant and
elections and they’re more tolerant and on a personal front it has tremendous
on a personal front it has tremendous
on a personal front it has tremendous impact on economics some people have
impact on economics some people have
impact on economics some people have estimated that it is more than twice the
estimated that it is more than twice the
estimated that it is more than twice the value of an investment in 1950 it
value of an investment in 1950 it
value of an investment in 1950 it outperforms the stock market that well
outperforms the stock market that well
outperforms the stock market that well people with a college education over the
people with a college education over the
people with a college education over the course of the lifetime nationally earn
course of the lifetime nationally earn
course of the lifetime nationally earn over a million dollars more than some
over a million dollars more than some
over a million dollars more than some with just a high school degree in the
with just a high school degree in the
with just a high school degree in the state of Arkansas that figures about
state of Arkansas that figures about
state of Arkansas that figures about $750,000 and during the last depression
$750,000 and during the last depression
$750,000 and during the last depression recession in this country people with a
recession in this country people with a
recession in this country people with a college education had an unemployment
college education had an unemployment
college education had an unemployment rate of just 3% compared to those people
rate of just 3% compared to those people
rate of just 3% compared to those people who had no high school education at 12%
who had no high school education at 12%
who had no high school education at 12% tremendous power of a college education
tremendous power of a college education
tremendous power of a college education so why do we have so many people who
so why do we have so many people who
so why do we have so many people who have decided to not pursue a college
have decided to not pursue a college
have decided to not pursue a college education we truly have a crisis in this
education we truly have a crisis in this
education we truly have a crisis in this we know the tremendous transformative
we know the tremendous transformative
we know the tremendous transformative power of a college education why do we
power of a college education why do we
power of a college education why do we have this circumstance in the state of
have this circumstance in the state of
have this circumstance in the state of Arkansas alone we have 356 thousand
Arkansas alone we have 356 thousand
Arkansas alone we have 356 thousand people who started college earn some
people who started college earn some
people who started college earn some credit and then did not complete a
credit and then did not complete a
credit and then did not complete a college degree and the ripple effect of
college degree and the ripple effect of
college degree and the ripple effect of this is tremendous we ranked 48th in the
this is tremendous we ranked 48th in the
this is tremendous we ranked 48th in the nation in terms of the percent of our
nation in terms of the percent of our
nation in terms of the percent of our population with a college education were
population with a college education were
population with a college education were 49th in the nation in terms of median
49th in the nation in terms of median
49th in the nation in terms of median income and 87% of the jobs in this state
income and 87% of the jobs in this state
income and 87% of the jobs in this state do not support a family income to
do not support a family income to
do not support a family income to support a family of four we need more
support a family of four we need more
support a family of four we need more people to pursue that college education
people to pursue that college education
people to pursue that college education and to get across the finish line these
and to get across the finish line these
and to get across the finish line these are the deferred dreams that I’m talking
are the deferred dreams that I’m talking
are the deferred dreams that I’m talking about these are the people who had the
about these are the people who had the
about these are the people who had the dream of going to college they
dream of going to college they
dream of going to college they understood the value of being in school
understood the value of being in school
understood the value of being in school and yet something happened along the way
and yet something happened along the way
and yet something happened along the way the team that I’m working with that he
the team that I’m working with that he
the team that I’m working with that he versity likes to say simply life got in
versity likes to say simply life got in
versity likes to say simply life got in the way I’d like you to take a moment
the way I’d like you to take a moment
the way I’d like you to take a moment and think about a college student for a
and think about a college student for a
and think about a college student for a moment perhaps close your eyes just for
moment perhaps close your eyes just for
moment perhaps close your eyes just for a second and think about what a typical
a second and think about what a typical
a second and think about what a typical college student looks like to you maybe
college student looks like to you maybe
college student looks like to you maybe not quite this guy but there’s returnees
not quite this guy but there’s returnees
not quite this guy but there’s returnees and sororities there’s Ivy covered
and sororities there’s Ivy covered
and sororities there’s Ivy covered buildings there’s stadiums that resemble
buildings there’s stadiums that resemble
buildings there’s stadiums that resemble Coliseum’s there are clubs and
Coliseum’s there are clubs and
Coliseum’s there are clubs and organizations there’s frisbees flying
organizations there’s frisbees flying
organizations there’s frisbees flying across the quad there’s faculty working
across the quad there’s faculty working
across the quad there’s faculty working closely with students there’s the
closely with students there’s the
closely with students there’s the opportunities for people to mature and
opportunities for people to mature and
opportunities for people to mature and to grow and build deep bonds perhaps
to grow and build deep bonds perhaps
to grow and build deep bonds perhaps finding their spouse perhaps finding a
finding their spouse perhaps finding a
finding their spouse perhaps finding a lifelong academic pursuit of the 17 and
lifelong academic pursuit of the 17 and
lifelong academic pursuit of the 17 and a half million people that are in
a half million people that are in
a half million people that are in college just 15 percent of them meet
college just 15 percent of them meet
college just 15 percent of them meet that image the vast majority of college
that image the vast majority of college
that image the vast majority of college students are part-time they’re going to
students are part-time they’re going to
students are part-time they’re going to school they’re leading complicated lives
school they’re leading complicated lives
school they’re leading complicated lives they’re working at home 62 percent of
they’re working at home 62 percent of
they’re working at home 62 percent of people attending college today work 26
people attending college today work 26
people attending college today work 26 percent of them work full-time
percent of them work full-time
percent of them work full-time 28 percent of people attending college
28 percent of people attending college
28 percent of people attending college do so while raising a child and half
do so while raising a child and half
do so while raising a child and half of those people do so as single parents
of those people do so as single parents
of those people do so as single parents so despite all the money that we are
so despite all the money that we are
so despite all the money that we are investing in higher education all those
investing in higher education all those
investing in higher education all those Ivy colored buildings all those
Ivy colored buildings all those
Ivy colored buildings all those elaborate stadiums all those beautiful
elaborate stadiums all those beautiful
elaborate stadiums all those beautiful manicured grounds on our college
manicured grounds on our college
manicured grounds on our college campuses which serve an important
campuses which serve an important
campuses which serve an important purpose to educate some of our best and
purpose to educate some of our best and
purpose to educate some of our best and brightest young minds the vast majority
brightest young minds the vast majority
brightest young minds the vast majority of students don’t have a single
of students don’t have a single
of students don’t have a single institution that serves their needs
institution that serves their needs
institution that serves their needs there was built specifically for them so
there was built specifically for them so
there was built specifically for them so in 2014 the University of Arkansas
in 2014 the University of Arkansas
in 2014 the University of Arkansas system decided to take the very bold
system decided to take the very bold
system decided to take the very bold step of building a new institution
step of building a new institution
step of building a new institution specifically designed for the
specifically designed for the
specifically designed for the overwhelming majority of people who are
overwhelming majority of people who are
overwhelming majority of people who are attending college we call this the e
attending college we call this the e
attending college we call this the e versity and we were challenged to
versity and we were challenged to
versity and we were challenged to rethink what college education should
rethink what college education should
rethink what college education should look like we did some of the traditional
look like we did some of the traditional
look like we did some of the traditional things we began by assembling a
things we began by assembling a
things we began by assembling a leadership team that has nearly 200
leadership team that has nearly 200
leadership team that has nearly 200 years of experience in higher education
years of experience in higher education
years of experience in higher education deep experience in academic advising and
deep experience in academic advising and
deep experience in academic advising and student records and fabulous teachers
student records and fabulous teachers
student records and fabulous teachers from across the University of Arkansas
from across the University of Arkansas
from across the University of Arkansas system we looked at places like
system we looked at places like
system we looked at places like behavioral economics to try to determine
behavioral economics to try to determine
behavioral economics to try to determine how we might move students across the
how we might move students across the
how we might move students across the finish line we looked at things like
finish line we looked at things like
finish line we looked at things like psychology to try to see if we could
psychology to try to see if we could
psychology to try to see if we could gain deeper understandings of how the
gain deeper understandings of how the
gain deeper understandings of how the adult student might be a little
adult student might be a little
adult student might be a little different than the more traditional
different than the more traditional
different than the more traditional student but we also looked at very
student but we also looked at very
student but we also looked at very unconventional sources of inspiration
unconventional sources of inspiration
unconventional sources of inspiration and one of the things that inspired me
and one of the things that inspired me
and one of the things that inspired me most was actually some of the work of
most was actually some of the work of
most was actually some of the work of Picasso now you might be wondering why
Picasso now you might be wondering why
Picasso now you might be wondering why in the world as an educator looking at
in the world as an educator looking at
in the world as an educator looking at Picasso to try to decide how to build an
Picasso to try to decide how to build an
Picasso to try to decide how to build an educational institution and if you’ll
educational institution and if you’ll
educational institution and if you’ll think of studies of art we’ve all heard
think of studies of art we’ve all heard
think of studies of art we’ve all heard of these places where the artists began
of these places where the artists began
of these places where the artists began with a charcoal sketch they’ve unearthed
with a charcoal sketch they’ve unearthed
with a charcoal sketch they’ve unearthed after examining perhaps the back of a
after examining perhaps the back of a
after examining perhaps the back of a canvas or they found a sketchbooks in
canvas or they found a sketchbooks in
canvas or they found a sketchbooks in place and then layer upon layer upon
place and then layer upon layer upon
place and then layer upon layer upon layer of paint is added to the painting
layer of paint is added to the painting
layer of paint is added to the painting and finally we end up with this glorious
and finally we end up with this glorious
and finally we end up with this glorious picture of water lilies or perhaps
picture of water lilies or perhaps
picture of water lilies or perhaps haystacks or a gorgeous portrait well in
haystacks or a gorgeous portrait well in
haystacks or a gorgeous portrait well in 1945 in 1946 towards the end of 45 in
1945 in 1946 towards the end of 45 in
1945 in 1946 towards the end of 45 in the beginning of 46 about the time my
the beginning of 46 about the time my
the beginning of 46 about the time my father was 10
father was 10
father was 10 Picasso began a series of illustrations
Picasso began a series of illustrations
Picasso began a series of illustrations to really do the reverse to deconstruct
to really do the reverse to deconstruct
to really do the reverse to deconstruct art to look at it for a completely
art to look at it for a completely
art to look at it for a completely different way to rethink
different way to rethink
different way to rethink the world of art and over a series of
the world of art and over a series of
the world of art and over a series of several weeks he began to sketch what
several weeks he began to sketch what
several weeks he began to sketch what are known as the Picasso bulls he began
are known as the Picasso bulls he began
are known as the Picasso bulls he began through his drawings to try to determine
through his drawings to try to determine
through his drawings to try to determine what the essence of the bull was he
what the essence of the bull was he
what the essence of the bull was he started with the most detailed example
started with the most detailed example
started with the most detailed example of the bull he began to sketch it in
of the bull he began to sketch it in
of the bull he began to sketch it in ways that examine the muscles to get at
ways that examine the muscles to get at
ways that examine the muscles to get at the core to get at the power to really
the core to get at the power to really
the core to get at the power to really try to determine what was the true
try to determine what was the true
try to determine what was the true essence of the Bulls in about two weeks
essence of the Bulls in about two weeks
essence of the Bulls in about two weeks he arrived at this nine very simple
he arrived at this nine very simple
he arrived at this nine very simple strokes of a pen that represent the true
strokes of a pen that represent the true
strokes of a pen that represent the true essence of the bull he made it simple he
essence of the bull he made it simple he
essence of the bull he made it simple he made it simple it is our contention that
made it simple it is our contention that
made it simple it is our contention that college has become far far too
college has become far far too
college has become far far too complicated that for people that live
complicated that for people that live
complicated that for people that live very very busy lives we have created way
very very busy lives we have created way
very very busy lives we have created way too many barriers to getting people back
too many barriers to getting people back
too many barriers to getting people back into college if you’re a mother of two
into college if you’re a mother of two
into college if you’re a mother of two and you’re working a couple of jobs
and you’re working a couple of jobs
and you’re working a couple of jobs chasing down your high school
chasing down your high school
chasing down your high school transcripts might just be a little bit
transcripts might just be a little bit
transcripts might just be a little bit too much beyond the pale to get you back
too much beyond the pale to get you back
too much beyond the pale to get you back into school and as we looked at works
into school and as we looked at works
into school and as we looked at works like Picasso where he was truly trying
like Picasso where he was truly trying
like Picasso where he was truly trying to find the essence of the bull we said
to find the essence of the bull we said
to find the essence of the bull we said what is the essence of college the
what is the essence of college the
what is the essence of college the essence of college is not being able to
essence of college is not being able to
essence of college is not being able to navigate a in a complicated
navigate a in a complicated
navigate a in a complicated administrative process to get back into
administrative process to get back into
administrative process to get back into school it’s not how do you nuts out from
school it’s not how do you nuts out from
school it’s not how do you nuts out from the details of a syllabus what the truth
the details of a syllabus what the truth
the details of a syllabus what the truth points are in the course our goal is to
points are in the course our goal is to
points are in the course our goal is to get to the essence of college which is
get to the essence of college which is
get to the essence of college which is learning and so every day our team asked
learning and so every day our team asked
learning and so every day our team asked a couple of questions we are guided by
a couple of questions we are guided by
a couple of questions we are guided by the principle of what is in the best
the principle of what is in the best
the principle of what is in the best interest of students not the faculty not
interest of students not the faculty not
interest of students not the faculty not the institution not the alumni but
the institution not the alumni but
the institution not the alumni but what’s in the best interest of students
what’s in the best interest of students
what’s in the best interest of students and we have this at our core the college
and we have this at our core the college
and we have this at our core the college should be hard but going to college
should be hard but going to college
should be hard but going to college shouldn’t be and what we mean by that is
shouldn’t be and what we mean by that is
shouldn’t be and what we mean by that is we want you to study like crazy in class
we want you to study like crazy in class
we want you to study like crazy in class we want our faculty to challenge you you
we want our faculty to challenge you you
we want our faculty to challenge you you are going to receive the same quality of
are going to receive the same quality of
are going to receive the same quality of education that you receive is as though
education that you receive is as though
education that you receive is as though you attended a brick-and-mortar
you attended a brick-and-mortar
you attended a brick-and-mortar institution but we’re going to make it
institution but we’re going to make it
institution but we’re going to make it crazy easy for you to get
crazy easy for you to get
crazy easy for you to get there and get that education we want to
there and get that education we want to
there and get that education we want to get to the core to the essence of
get to the core to the essence of
get to the core to the essence of college let me give you a couple of
college let me give you a couple of
college let me give you a couple of examples of how we do this this is the
examples of how we do this this is the
examples of how we do this this is the traditional college admission process
traditional college admission process
traditional college admission process you apply you spend a little money doing
you apply you spend a little money doing
you apply you spend a little money doing that then you’re asked to go get your
that then you’re asked to go get your
that then you’re asked to go get your high school transcripts which cost you a
high school transcripts which cost you a
high school transcripts which cost you a little bit of money then you got to go
little bit of money then you got to go
little bit of money then you got to go get your college transcripts which cost
get your college transcripts which cost
get your college transcripts which cost you a little bit of money then you got
you a little bit of money then you got
you a little bit of money then you got to send your SATs and a CT scores you
to send your SATs and a CT scores you
to send your SATs and a CT scores you got to pay them to do that once all
got to pay them to do that once all
got to pay them to do that once all that’s there the college makes takes the
that’s there the college makes takes the
that’s there the college makes takes the time to admit you then you’ve got to
time to admit you then you’ve got to
time to admit you then you’ve got to come to campus and take some tests to
come to campus and take some tests to
come to campus and take some tests to determine whether or not you can read
determine whether or not you can read
determine whether or not you can read write and do math at the college level
write and do math at the college level
write and do math at the college level that takes a little bit of money once
that takes a little bit of money once
that takes a little bit of money once you’re there on campus you got to go to
you’re there on campus you got to go to
you’re there on campus you got to go to an orientation session that takes a
an orientation session that takes a
an orientation session that takes a little bit more money then you got to go
little bit more money then you got to go
little bit more money then you got to go visit some academic advisors some
visit some academic advisors some
visit some academic advisors some financial aid officers fill out a FAFSA
financial aid officers fill out a FAFSA
financial aid officers fill out a FAFSA then you enroll in classes finally that
then you enroll in classes finally that
then you enroll in classes finally that takes a lot of money then you go to the
takes a lot of money then you go to the
takes a lot of money then you go to the bookstore you spend a little bit more
bookstore you spend a little bit more
bookstore you spend a little bit more money and guess what then you can
money and guess what then you can
money and guess what then you can finally go to class imagine trying to do
finally go to class imagine trying to do
finally go to class imagine trying to do that if you’re working a full-time job
that if you’re working a full-time job
that if you’re working a full-time job and you’re busy and you’ve got kids
and you’re busy and you’ve got kids
and you’re busy and you’ve got kids here’s what we do you fill out an
here’s what we do you fill out an
here’s what we do you fill out an application we go get your transcripts
application we go get your transcripts
application we go get your transcripts from high school we go get them from
from high school we go get them from
from high school we go get them from your college we pay for that we don’t
your college we pay for that we don’t
your college we pay for that we don’t have any tests to determine whether or
have any tests to determine whether or
have any tests to determine whether or not you can read or write and do math at
not you can read or write and do math at
not you can read or write and do math at the right level because we include that
the right level because we include that
the right level because we include that in the classes that we’re going to teach
in the classes that we’re going to teach
in the classes that we’re going to teach you we make an admission decision based
you we make an admission decision based
you we make an admission decision based on whether or not you graduated high
on whether or not you graduated high
on whether or not you graduated high school and then we put you in a class
school and then we put you in a class
school and then we put you in a class and our first class is free because we
and our first class is free because we
and our first class is free because we want to give you the opportunity to come
want to give you the opportunity to come
want to give you the opportunity to come back to college to try it to see that
back to college to try it to see that
back to college to try it to see that you are capable of doing it it’s simple
you are capable of doing it it’s simple
you are capable of doing it it’s simple at the essence of Education it’s not
at the essence of Education it’s not
at the essence of Education it’s not about navigating that snake of a process
about navigating that snake of a process
about navigating that snake of a process to get back into school it’s about
to get back into school it’s about
to get back into school it’s about getting you to where you need to be as
getting you to where you need to be as
getting you to where you need to be as quickly as you possibly can back into
quickly as you possibly can back into
quickly as you possibly can back into class so that we can teach you we also
class so that we can teach you we also
class so that we can teach you we also do a lot in that very first class to try
do a lot in that very first class to try
do a lot in that very first class to try to understand you we believe that our
to understand you we believe that our
to understand you we believe that our students are different not only in age
students are different not only in age
students are different not only in age and life circumstance but they’re
and life circumstance but they’re
and life circumstance but they’re different from each other
different from each other
different from each other some are raising children some have are
some are raising children some have are
some are raising children some have are quite advanced in their education
quite advanced in their education
quite advanced in their education preparations and simply want to get
preparations and simply want to get
preparations and simply want to get across the finish line some have a great
across the finish line some have a great
across the finish line some have a great deal of tenacity and can fight through
deal of tenacity and can fight through
deal of tenacity and can fight through problems some have very little hope that
problems some have very little hope that
problems some have very little hope that can do this we ask them these questions
can do this we ask them these questions
can do this we ask them these questions why did you quit school what are your
why did you quit school what are your
why did you quit school what are your goals by coming back to school because
goals by coming back to school because
goals by coming back to school because we believe our messaging to students
we believe our messaging to students
we believe our messaging to students ought to be targeted to their individual
ought to be targeted to their individual
ought to be targeted to their individual circumstance if you can fight through
circumstance if you can fight through
circumstance if you can fight through problems and you have a great deal of
problems and you have a great deal of
problems and you have a great deal of tenacity what we sometimes call grit if
tenacity what we sometimes call grit if
tenacity what we sometimes call grit if you have high levels of hope we need to
you have high levels of hope we need to
you have high levels of hope we need to talk to you and advise you very very
talk to you and advise you very very
talk to you and advise you very very differently than if life is just about
differently than if life is just about
differently than if life is just about to overwhelm you and we get that
to overwhelm you and we get that
to overwhelm you and we get that information and learn about students in
information and learn about students in
information and learn about students in their very first class so that we can
their very first class so that we can
their very first class so that we can guide and personalize the intervention
guide and personalize the intervention
guide and personalize the intervention one thing we learned in preparing for
one thing we learned in preparing for
one thing we learned in preparing for this university is by talking to our
this university is by talking to our
this university is by talking to our students and talking to employers is
students and talking to employers is
students and talking to employers is that what they really want to do is
that what they really want to do is
that what they really want to do is improve their life circumstances they
improve their life circumstances they
improve their life circumstances they want degrees and coursework that will
want degrees and coursework that will
want degrees and coursework that will help them succeed in the real world this
help them succeed in the real world this
help them succeed in the real world this may surprise you but most employers
may surprise you but most employers
may surprise you but most employers really don’t care much about what you
really don’t care much about what you
really don’t care much about what you learned in US history prior to 1865 what
learned in US history prior to 1865 what
learned in US history prior to 1865 what they want to know is can what you’re
they want to know is can what you’re
they want to know is can what you’re learning in class help you in the real
learning in class help you in the real
learning in class help you in the real world so for every one of our courses
world so for every one of our courses
world so for every one of our courses and for every one of our degree programs
and for every one of our degree programs
and for every one of our degree programs and we’re only offering degree programs
and we’re only offering degree programs
and we’re only offering degree programs at areas that relate to the real world
at areas that relate to the real world
at areas that relate to the real world I’m a political science professor by
I’m a political science professor by
I’m a political science professor by training the only thing that qualifies
training the only thing that qualifies
training the only thing that qualifies me for is either unemployment or
me for is either unemployment or
me for is either unemployment or remaining in higher education for the
remaining in higher education for the
remaining in higher education for the rest of my life I’ve chosen higher
rest of my life I’ve chosen higher
rest of my life I’ve chosen higher education we focus on degrees that apply
education we focus on degrees that apply
education we focus on degrees that apply to the real world and in every course we
to the real world and in every course we
to the real world and in every course we embed competencies that employers across
embed competencies that employers across
embed competencies that employers across the state of Arkansas told us that they
the state of Arkansas told us that they
the state of Arkansas told us that they are interested in and these have been
are interested in and these have been
are interested in and these have been confirmed by national studies by an
confirmed by national studies by an
confirmed by national studies by an organization called the heart research
organization called the heart research
organization called the heart research group in 2013 193 of employed 3 percent
group in 2013 193 of employed 3 percent
group in 2013 193 of employed 3 percent of employers said these things things
of employers said these things things
of employers said these things things like can you communicate can you work as
like can you communicate can you work as
like can you communicate can you work as part of a team do you have good data
part of a team do you have good data
part of a team do you have good data literacy skills do you have creative
literacy skills do you have creative
literacy skills do you have creative skills this is what employers tell us
skills this is what employers tell us
skills this is what employers tell us matters in the sector of the economy
matters in the sector of the economy
matters in the sector of the economy this is what our students need in order
this is what our students need in order
this is what our students need in order to advance and improve in their lives
to advance and improve in their lives
to advance and improve in their lives I began by telling you about my father I
I began by telling you about my father I
I began by telling you about my father I might tell you about a few other
might tell you about a few other
might tell you about a few other students a few years ago I had an
students a few years ago I had an
students a few years ago I had an opportunity to work with a student
opportunity to work with a student
opportunity to work with a student sort of like my father grew up really
sort of like my father grew up really
sort of like my father grew up really without the influence of his father in
without the influence of his father in
without the influence of his father in his life he’s largely raised by his
his life he’s largely raised by his
his life he’s largely raised by his mother we got him and mitad into school
mother we got him and mitad into school
mother we got him and mitad into school and he made it through his first year of
and he made it through his first year of
and he made it through his first year of classes and long about the second year
classes and long about the second year
classes and long about the second year of classes he was playing basketball
of classes he was playing basketball
of classes he was playing basketball over in the gymnasium and he broke his
over in the gymnasium and he broke his
over in the gymnasium and he broke his hand the hand he took notes with and he
hand the hand he took notes with and he
hand the hand he took notes with and he quit going to class you can imagine what
quit going to class you can imagine what
quit going to class you can imagine what happens when you quit going to class he
happens when you quit going to class he
happens when you quit going to class he failed the difference is this student is
failed the difference is this student is
failed the difference is this student is a member of Generation X and in
a member of Generation X and in
a member of Generation X and in Generation X if you do not have a
Generation X if you do not have a
Generation X if you do not have a college education if all you have is a
college education if all you have is a
college education if all you have is a high school education you have a 22
high school education you have a 22
high school education you have a 22 percent chance of living in poverty this
percent chance of living in poverty this
percent chance of living in poverty this conversation matters it matters a great
conversation matters it matters a great
conversation matters it matters a great deal we have a student whose name is Kim
deal we have a student whose name is Kim
deal we have a student whose name is Kim she graduated fourth in her class bright
she graduated fourth in her class bright
she graduated fourth in her class bright student she went off to college and she
student she went off to college and she
student she went off to college and she got pregnant got married too early by
got pregnant got married too early by
got pregnant got married too early by her own admission her child has some
her own admission her child has some
her own admission her child has some disabilities her marriage failed and she
disabilities her marriage failed and she
disabilities her marriage failed and she now needs to return to school under
now needs to return to school under
now needs to return to school under those circumstances to try to finish
those circumstances to try to finish
those circumstances to try to finish some education I have a student named
some education I have a student named
some education I have a student named Kevin who has two young boys that are
Kevin who has two young boys that are
Kevin who has two young boys that are about to head off to college he never
about to head off to college he never
about to head off to college he never finished and he wants to set the example
finished and he wants to set the example
finished and he wants to set the example for them to finish what he started so
for them to finish what he started so
for them to finish what he started so he’s one of our students and I have
he’s one of our students and I have
he’s one of our students and I have another student named Kim who is 90 has
another student named Kim who is 90 has
another student named Kim who is 90 has 91 college credits and finds herself 45
91 college credits and finds herself 45
91 college credits and finds herself 45 miles from the nearest four-year school
miles from the nearest four-year school
miles from the nearest four-year school that would allow her to complete her
that would allow her to complete her
that would allow her to complete her degree this is why we are doing Aversa t
degree this is why we are doing Aversa t
degree this is why we are doing Aversa t and we need your help
and we need your help
and we need your help Arkansas needs your help with 356
Arkansas needs your help with 356
Arkansas needs your help with 356 thousand people in this state without a
thousand people in this state without a
thousand people in this state without a college degree that has some college
college degree that has some college
college degree that has some college every one of us knows somebody in this
every one of us knows somebody in this
every one of us knows somebody in this circumstance we need to get these people
circumstance we need to get these people
circumstance we need to get these people back into college we can no longer be
back into college we can no longer be
back into college we can no longer be 49th in median income 48th and the
49th in median income 48th and the
49th in median income 48th and the percent of people with a college
percent of people with a college
percent of people with a college education we need to rekindle these
education we need to rekindle these
education we need to rekindle these dreams thank you
dreams thank you
dreams thank you [Applause]
”
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