Alex Chediak

Helping young adults thrive at college and beyond

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Should the U.S. initiate a military strike in Syria?

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The American public is starting to tune in to the debate in Washington about the possibility of the U.S. engaging in air strikes against the Assad regime in Syria (due to the Obama administration's determination that Assad used chemical weapons on his own people).  AEI has a good round-up of recent polling on the issue.  Here are a few things that stood out: Nearly three-quarters (74%) of those surveyed by Pew believe that US action there is likely to create a backlash against the US and its allies. Six in ten believe that action could lead to long-term military involvement. A majority think … [Read more...] about Should the U.S. initiate a military strike in Syria?

Are the Liberal Arts Dead?

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With college tuition at an all-time high, many in higher education are explicitly promoting the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).  For example, Governor Scott in Florida may reduce tuition in STEM fields at state institutions.  Others argue for the enduring value of a broad-based liberal arts education as a means to enhance critical thinking and communication skills. Steve Yoder wrote a balanced article in The Fiscal Times, helpfully exploring both sides of the issue.  A few excerpts: The number of liberal arts colleges nationwide has dropped from 212 in 1990 … [Read more...] about Are the Liberal Arts Dead?

The Distinct, Positive Impact of a Good Dad

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Bradford Wilcox, writing for The Atlantic, opens this way: I understand where Jennifer Aniston is coming from. Like many of her peers in Hollywood, not to mention scholars and writers opining on fatherhood these days, she has come to the conclusion that dads are dispensable: "Women are realizing it more and more knowing that they don't have to settle with a man just to have that child," she said at a press conference a few years ago. … [Read more...] about The Distinct, Positive Impact of a Good Dad

Congratulations, Tim Tebow

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Word is out that Tim Tebow has signed with the New England Patriots. His position is quarterback, and he's expected to report to the Patriots mandatory mini-camp tomorrow. The deal came together quickly in the last 24 hours. Duration of the contract or financial details were not disclosed. I'm no sports analyst, but I think this is a great move for the Patriots. Tebow is not the distracting side-show some consider him to be. He's a focused, hard-working player with impeccable character. On the field he's a leader who knows how to scramble, gain yardage, and win football games. His playoff … [Read more...] about Congratulations, Tim Tebow

What’s the best predictor of student success?

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I read Paul Tough's book How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character (introduced here).  But I just saw Tough's amazing thesis again in Business Insider. The #1 predictor of student success is not IQ, talent, or luck/"being in the right place at the right time".  It's grit. Determination. "The ability to withstand stress and move past failures to achieve a goal is the best indicator of future success."  What's great is that grit can be learned and enhanced throughout a student's life, even dramatically if they develop a disciplined passion for what they're … [Read more...] about What’s the best predictor of student success?