Simon Sheather’s Post

Two things I can’t get enough of: being a proud Denison University alum + the power of a #liberalarts education. In the latest edition of the Denison Magazine, I reflect on the five years since earning my degree as a part of Global Commerce’s inaugural graduating class and how interdisciplinary learning sets up a firm foundation for success. Check out my feature here: ✍️: Thomas Reed

When we say something special is happening at the University of Central Florida, it is always best to hear from our peers and other independent observers. The Washington Monthly Social Mobility ranking is out. We are now at #36. The ranking is one indicator, but what is impressive to note is the number of Pell Eligible students we are able to lift from one socio-economic bracket to another. The spin effect for generations to come from preparing so many young people by “Unleashing Potential” within them is amazing to witness firsthand. We are preparing future leaders of the world here in Knight Nation. https://lnkd.in/gkpr3957

I've gone and done one of those "chasing my dreams" type of things, now that the end of my MBA can be glimpsed on the horizon, and enrolled at the University of Cambridge for an online Undergraduate Certificate in History. It isn't a history degree, but it is a positive step towards one, which is something I've wanted to do since childhood. It kicks off this October with a unit about the turbulent Stuart period in Britain, which was foundational to so much now taken for granted in the modern English-speaking world. This weekend I found a rare window of time to visit Guildford Book Exchange, and this find seemed especially fitting. John Philipps Kenyon was a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge after studying his doctorate there. And while this work from 1978 obviously lacks the benefit of the nearly half-century of scholarship since (as so ably surveyed by Barry Coward and Peter Gaunt in The Stuart Age), it does feature the kind of timeless wisdom and intellectual humility emblematic of accomplished historians. Ergo: "Instead of striding along a brightly illuminated high road, the historian now shuffles uneasily in a thick fog from one lamp-post to another, the lamp-posts wide apart and eccentrically sited, and frequently shifting position... Then there are two whole categories of question which are notoriously difficult to answer, the economic and the moral... But these are the basic questions which most readers ask of history - not in any naive expectation, usually, that they can be answered, but to see them discussed by professionals and to think about them themselves; to most people this is what history is all about. So I have not shirked such questions, though my answers are really no more valid, and no less valid, than anyone else's... In these circumstances the best I can offer is my own account of men and events as I see them, while trying to do justice to contrary and conflicting interpretations." Perhaps I can shuffle between lamp-posts to offer my own account one day, and hope my answers are no less valid than anyone else's.

Good read from Unskool on Substack Excerpts: "By 2010, only 2 percent of colleges offered Western civilization courses as a requirement for graduation. “Remarkably, western civilization is rarely even required for history majors,” the Manhattan Institute reported." "DEI administered through diversity statements inevitably leads to a dumbing down of not only faculty but, by osmosis, students." "Anybody stupid enough to buy into anything remotely connected to DEI’s pet critical race theory is going to spread that stupidity like a parasite that has no clue it is killing its host and bringing about its demise." "The result is colleges and universities full of stupid Wokenista professors who convince gullible students to jump on the DEI bandwagon all the while ignoring the fact that the wagon is headed for the edge of a cliff." "Then, according to the overarching Marxist plan, the stupefied students will graduate and be hired into institutions where they can stupefy Western civilization from the inside out." "Having stupid as a goal is stupid because will inevitably lead to failure, no matter how you dress it up in the vacuous Marxist morality of the day." "If the Marxist plan was to bring Western civilization to its knees by filling its institutions with stupid people, it was a dumb plan." https://lnkd.in/eUbffKTp?

🏙️ I'm taking a trip down memory lane today, reminiscing about my time at Marcus Garvey Elementary, a lowly rated school in the Southside of Chicago. 🏫 This place holds some of my most cherished memories. 🌟🎭 Through @UrbanGateways performances, I had the opportunity to explore the world beyond the classroom walls. 🌍 It ignited my travel obsession and significantly broadened my horizons. 🎭 🪲 In Mr. Vaughn's 5th grade science class, I raised insects to combat an invasive species plant. 🌿 It was hands-on learning at its best, teaching me the importance of ecological balance and the power of small actions. 🌱 ➗ And who could forget Mr. Bozeman? He not only pushed my math abilities to new heights but also gave me the confidence to tutor fellow classmates who struggled with the concepts. 🧮 It was a lesson in leadership and empathy I carry with me to this day. 📚📜 But it wasn't just about academics; I learned about pride in my history and myself. The red, the green, and the black – symbols of heritage and unity that still resonate in my heart. ❤️💚🖤💪🏾 These personal experiences are a testament to the potential within our schools, no matter their ratings. 🎁 🌟 Many of my colleagues come from A-rated or private schools, but let's not overlook the schools like Marcus Garvey Elementary or the incredible kids who attend them. 🙌🏾 🌟📚 Let's talk 📣📣📣 What was your school rated? Is it indicative of the quality of education that you received? What is your opinion of the current rating system? #MarcusGarveyMemories #InvestInOurSchools #EducationMatters

NEW on Wonkhe: While our universities are surviving, can we feel confident that they are able to thrive in the competitive global higher education and research landscape? Mark E Smith calls for a joined-up approach to university finance https://buff.ly/3rXO3BE

In the interest of full transparency, I also mentioned pimple popping videos.

A personal update: I've been offered a Ronald Coase Fellowship by the Mercatus Center at George Mason University for the 2024-2025 academic year. "In this fellowship, participants will be introduced to the ideas in the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy. The purpose of the fellowship is to understand the causes behind policy and social problems and evaluate potential solutions, using the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington perspectives." Not sure yet what the fellowship will exactly entail, but studying more about the economics of Ronald Coase looks like a good match for me. He was educated at the London School of Economics (as well as worked there), cared a lot about market externalities and social costs, and was most interested in the relation between law and economics, including how to set up the right institutions. I like this quote about his approach to public policy: "I really don't know. I don't reject any policy without considering what its results are. If someone says there's going to be regulation, I don't say that regulation will be bad. Let's see. What we discover is that most regulation does produce, or has produced in recent times, a worse result. But I wouldn't like to say that all regulation would have this effect because one can think of circumstances in which it doesn't." Look forward to the fellowship.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Ph.D. student at Drexel University's LeBow College of Business. If you are thinking about a Ph.D. in a business field, Drexel should be on your list of schools to consider (and the application is free!). I'm also happy to answer any questions you might have! #businessanalytics #phdstudent #academicjourney

📌Our Inequality Studies Minor, directed by Dr. Adam Hollowell, has been featured by The Chronicle. Serving over 150 students at Duke University, the Inequality Studies minor provides students with the opportunity to “advance their understanding of the causes and consequences of inequality and pursue research around issues of social equity across a range of social science methods.” The Inequality Studies minor offers the following curriculum: ➡️ HISTORY 288, History of Inequality ➡️ HISTORY 323, Methods in Inequality Studies ➡️ PUBPOL 435/645, Global Inequality Research Initiative ➡️ 3 History Elective Courses . . . #inequality #inequalitystudies #socialequity #socialjustice