The Present & Future of Public Universities
November 13, 2014
Hosted by Mark B. Toubin
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Guest Information
Episode Description
While Public University Education in this country is in crisis, no one can agree on the problem much less a solution. Some governors and state legislatures utilize fee and/or tuition hikes to resolve issues while others want course offerings determined by a ROI analysis. Despite government's role in the future of public higher education, little if any research has been conducted to help understand how elected officials perceive the issue; at least until now. Dr. Matthew T. Lambert's "Privatization and the Public Good: Public Universities in the Balance" (Harvard Education Press, 2014) is perhaps the first extensive study of how elected officials view higher education. Join Between the Synapse to hear Dr. Lambert's findings and his views on improving the future of higher education.
Between the Synapse
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Based on the blog of the same name, Between the Synapse explores topics that fall in-between the obvious and typical with insight, clarity and humor in the realm of politics, pop culture, foreign affairs, and sports. The shows will entertain, inform and provoke by asking questions such as whether Europe or the U.S. can better forecast the weather or how health myths are marketing to the public and presenting topics that include the last Mad Men, Congressional chaos, and the quest for Mid-East peace.
Mark B. Toubin
A veteran of radio, law, public affairs, and politics, Mark Toubin founded his blog, Between the Synapse, in 2008 as an avenue for exploring his ideas and insights with humor and an occasional dose of sarcasm. In the nervous system, a synapse is a structure that permits a neuron to pass an electrical or chemical signal to another cell. The Neuron Doctrine explains that though neurons are not continuous, cells may nonetheless communicate. BtS captures the linkage of that which falls in-between the obvious, conventional and typical. Its niche is a voice, not a topic.
Mark’s distinctive voice developed after practicing civil litigation for 11 years, running the Southwest region of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for 8 more, and operating his own consultancy, ConneXion, LLC, since 2008. ConneXion works with non-profits, political campaigns, and businesses as a fundraiser, strategic communications advisor, and writer. Back in the late 90’s, he hosted a once a week hour-long radio program on Houston’s 97.1 FM.
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Mark attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia before returning for law school at the University of Texas. Mark enjoys creative writing, tennis, travel, sports, and long, quiet walks on the beach with flightless waterfowl.