Charles Koch Foundation (CKF) Executive Director Ryan Stowers recently received the Distinguished Executive Alumnus Award from Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. In an award ceremony on March 23, Stowers discussed the power of individualized learning, celebrating the USU faculty and mentors who “opened doors that helped me discover more about myself.” … Continued
As policies targeting open inquiry in higher education proliferate, Charles Koch Foundation executive director Ryan Stowers issued the following statement: “Americans are understandably concerned by the state of free speech on college campuses. But the surge in state legislatures considering bills to restrict academic freedom and what students and scholars can say in the classroom is the wrong approach and will … Continued
The role of education is to help learners discover, develop, and apply their unique gifts so they can help themselves and others succeed. Transformational learning experiences also can lead to career opportunities that are a source of fulfillment, but far too many learners never get these opportunities. They are never connected with pathways that allow … Continued
U.S. foreign policy should be based on facts and reasoned inquiry. Developing and applying a better grand strategy will make the nation and its citizens safer and more prosperous and will protect our country’s liberal democratic system. William & Mary’s Global Research Institute (GRI) brings together academics, practitioners, and students to apply research to real … Continued
Every learner should have the opportunity to discover, develop, and apply their unique aptitudes and gifts so they can pursue careers that provide fulfillment and purpose. Millions of learners lack access to these types of opportunities, which is why it is critical to support transformative solutions in post-secondary education that disrupt the status quo and provide … Continued
Open Data holds great promise — and more than thought leaders appreciate. Open access to data can lead to a much richer and more diverse range of research and development, hastening innovation. That’s why scientific journals are asking authors to make their data available, why governments are making publicly held records open by default, and why even private companies … Continued
Over the last two years we have seen learners, workers, families, and educators encounter seemingly insurmountable barriers in education. They responded with resiliency, ingenuity, and innovation. As we said in our 2020 year-in-review, we knew this perseverance and creativity would persist throughout the pandemic and beyond. People want innovative solutions that empower learners to discover, develop, … Continued
Science is revered for being objective and open-minded, influenced solely by experiments, the scientific method, and data, and not by ideology, bias, and personal interests. The sociologist Thomas Merton famously captured this “ethos”: science, he said, is driven by the imperatives of disinterestedness, universalism, communalism, and organized skepticism. Most (and the best) scientists strive to achieve … Continued
Do you ever wonder what you can do to reduce political polarization in our society? Consider embracing principled dissent. For every contentious issue, some people seem to see those with opposing views as an enemy to be defeated. There is little tolerance for dissent — especially when political or legislative victory is on the line. … Continued
The public conversation about immigration in the United States is often focused on the false choice between welcoming migrants and securing future economic prosperity and public safety. Cornell University Professor of Immigration Law Stephen Yale-Loehr is challenging this thinking and developing policy recommendations that will improve the current U.S. immigration system for the benefit of both … Continued
