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

Discussion Comment

Nathan, This is precisely one of the reasons why building relationships prior to graduation is so important. Social networks are collaboratively developed databases of people that are user generated. The information is updated by the user and if Career Services has purposefully built relationships with graduates, it provides yet another tool to build rapport with students, stay connected, mine for data which provides insight on their employment, activities, and personal characteristics, from which to develop effective communication strategies. It's completely unlike any other strategy typically used by Career Services - it's long-term and it's continuous. Perhaps one of the reasons… >>>

Discussion on the gap between money coming in and financial aid going out at colleges.

Jeff Joerres, Chairman and CEO of ManpowerGroup, speaks about boosting postsecondary education performance as an imperative for America to remain competitive in the global economy.

 

Jeff Joerres, Chairman and CEO of ManpowerGroup, speaks about boosting postsecondary education performance as an imperative for America to remain competitive in the global economy.

 

This report from the Committee for Economic Development (CED) outlines the imperative to boost postsecondary education performance for the health of the economy.  

I just saw that more than 500 colleges have now agreed to use the Shopping Sheet

http://www.ed.gov/blog/2012/11/more-than-500-colleges-agree-to-adopt-financial-aid-shopping-sheet/ 

The 2012 Veterans Talent Index from Monster includes important data on the veteran student population and reveals this is a student population in need of particular attention. Veterans lack confidence in their preparation to transfer to the civilian workforce. In what ways can career services and institutions in general intervene? Leave your thoughts and comments regarding this insightful report.

President and CEO of APSCU, Steve Gunderson, reflects on the 2012 Presidential election and what it means for private sector colleges and universities.

 

Recently, 60 Minutes did a special on the skills gap in America.  An employer describes the skills gap and says there is a lack of basic communication skills and critical thinking even from those with degrees.  The problem seems systemic so what are the ways in which career schools can respond to help prepare today's college students succeed in the workforce?

 

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