David Young was an advisor to Texas Governor Rick Perry for ten years. He developed the governor's low-cost degree initiative, which challenged universities to offer degrees that cost $10,000. Today, thirteen universities in Texas offer one or more bachelor's degrees for approximately $10,000. This initiative spread to other states, including Florida, where twenty-three institutions offer $10,000 degrees, and to California, which is developing similar low-cost programs at fifteen institutions. David enjoys playing the violin and traveling. He's traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, and he's visited South America, Asia, and the Middle East. He; his wife, Christina; and their two dogs live in Round Rock, Texas.