Robert Pearl Starks

Robert Pearl Starks

Location: phoenix, arizona

About me

As Vice President of Product Development, I lead cross-functional teams of designers, developers, QA testers and product stakeholders to develop, launch, and improve products customers need and love. 

Previously, I've worked in a variety of leadership roles in education / learning & professional development. Through my experience, I've become accustomed to working across departmental silos and with various stakeholders (executives, end-users, faculty, staff, students / learners, alumni, parents, regulatory agencies, partners and employers) to facilitate collaboration and advance common goals. In my previous roles, I've advocated for student needs and driven organizational change that helped educators do their best work, students thrive in their careers, and employers connect with quality talent.

Despite different contexts, a common theme in my career journey has been to do work that contributes to a mission which improves people's lives. It's also always been important for me to work with an organization whose values align with my own. I'm a listener, empathizer, customer advocate, servant leader, and lifelong learner. I'm never satisfied with status quo, I constantly strive for "better," and I'm driven by genuine curiosity to solve complex problems.

“Work to become; not to acquire.” -Elbert Hubbard

Interests

social media, career development, training, higher education, web 2.0/3.0, career services, leadership, marketing

Skills

social media, marketing, training, consulting, management, strategic planning

Activity

Hi Mendy, I am wondering how you stay current with social media trends. What do you currently do to maintain your knowledge of new media, its purposeful usage and trends? Can you also elaborate on what the strategy is behind using social media channels to "post encouraging comments" and "tips on how to interview?" I think its great to encourage alumni and help them with interview tips but I am curious to know your strategy - what is social media helping your department accomplish? Robert Starks Jr.

Career College Central Editor, Kevin Kuzma, leads the first in a four-part series of interviews with Diana Oblinger, President and CEO of EDUCAUSE.  Diana talks with Kevin about the next generation of learners and how education has changed over the last several decades.

 

At the TIME Summit on Higher Education, journalist Bill Moyers moderated a discussion on the future of America's universities.  Guests included the U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan.   

Hi Joseph, Externships are great for the experience students get but also for the relationship they develop with the employer. Internships and externships have a high conversion to job offers compared to other job search strategies. It's great that this is a component for most of your programs. Robert Starks Jr.
Hi Joseph, Whereas one person can't possibly personalize intervention approaches for each individual, how might make determinations about how you prioritize your intervention strategies and ensure they are appropriate for targeted cohorts? Might you focus on your reporting cohort graduates differently from beginning students or those who need intensive case management services vs. those who need self-help resources? What ideas do you have to adapt in these ways? Robert Starks Jr.

71% of all undergraduate students received some type of financial aid (including student loans) in the 2011–12 academic year.  For those who received any aid, the total average amount was $10,800.  That's according to the 2011–12 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:12) study released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).  This study represents undergraduate and graduate students attending postsecondary institutions in the United States.  

 

Other findings from the 2011–12 academic year include:

  • 59% of undergraduate students received grants
  • 42% took out student loans
  • 6% received aid through work-study jobs
  • 4% received veterans’ benefits
  • 5% had parents
  • >>>
Hi Joseph, Thank you for sharing your methodology. This will help others taking this course. Robert Starks Jr.
Hi Joseph, Working with external partners can definitely help expand capabilities. I'm glad to see your institution has been successful with this type of program. I'm certain we will continue to hear of other examples from course participants. Thank you for sharing! Robert Starks Jr.
Hello Joseph, Market saturation is definitely a challenge of which schools must be mindful. Can you explain how your institution determined the appropriate number by which to reduce starts in this particular program? Any time a program prepares students for fields in which they need to pass a board exam and/or obtain some sort of licensure to be employable, there is a challenge helping students complete these steps in a timely manner. Your intervention strategy is an excellent example of how to address such an issue. Thank you for sharing it! Robert Starks Jr.

During the 2013 Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities Convention and Exposition, Career College Central Editor Kevin Kuzma visited with a number of sector leaders at the magazine's booth space. He was joined by Jeffrey Cropsey, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for Grantham University.

In this interview, Cropsey discusses Grantham's focus on military students.

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