Robert Pearl Starks

Location: phoenix, arizona

About me

Robert Starks Jr. is a Performance Consultant for MaxKnowledge, Inc. Robert has 10 years of experience in higher education and has led teams responsible for career services and alumni relations programming, as well as community outreach and public relations initiatives. Robert was recognized for his leadership and exceptional results by Career Education Corporation (CEC) with the "Above and Beyond" award for developing his institution's first alumni relations program in its 32 year history. Under Robert's leadership, his former career services team was recognized with four consecutive Best Placement Practice Awards from the Arizona Private School Association (APSA) among its 56+ member schools in the state which contributed to his institution also being recognized as School of the Year by APSA in 2008 and 2012. Additionally, the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC) recognized Robert in 2013 with the Associate Member of the Year award.

Robert holds a Master of Science in Management, a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, and a minor in Sociology. Robert currently serves on the board for the Arizona Private School Association. Robert is the former Director of Media & Technology and former Membership Chair for the Arizona Career Development Association (ACDA). Additionally, Robert is the founder and publisher of Careertipster.com and serves on the Arizona Program Committee of the national non-profit, Boys Hope Girls Hope.

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

Website

http://www.careertipster.com

Activity

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Social Media Use

Hi Linda, I'm glad to have you as a course participant. This course is very focused on strategy and things to consider when implementing strategies using social tools to support achieving career services objectives. As you go through it, I encourage you to ask as many questions as you want and engage in dialogue to get the most out of it. I'm hear to help you any way I can and look forward to our interactions. Make sure to read through the forums - there have been many great discussions and I am confident you'll learn a great deal just… >>>

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Supporting Veterans in Becoming Gainfully Employed

The Post-9/11 GI Bill has paid for nearly 1 million veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to go to school at a cost of about $30 billion since 2009. With an influx of over one million more veterans projected to enter higher education in the next several years, institutions should be prepared to serve veteran students. Military veterans represent a unique type of non-traditional student who must overcome distinctive challenges to reintegrate into the civilian workforce yet many employees never have special training to serve this population.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) Executive Director and… >>>

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Sector Spotlight Video Interview With George Boggs - Part 1 of 4

Editor Kevin Kuzma leads the first in a four-part series of interviews with George Boggs, President and CEO Emeritus of the American Association of Community Colleges and Superintendent President Emeritus of Palomar College. George talks with Kevin about the “Achieving the Dream: Community Colleges Count” initiative, and its impact on community colleges.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Challenges

Hi Jason, What do you believe might be the root cause(s) for the challenge of communicating with past graduates? What do you feel are the root causes for the other issues you indicate and what are some intervention strategies you currently employ to address these obstacles? Robert Starks Jr.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Social Media Use

Hi Jason, The course differentiates social media from traditional communication channels. When considering these differences, although you use social media to "stay in contact" with graduates and cultivate your alumni network, one can also use a telephone or email for these purposes. With this context, could you describe how your strategies are uniquely different using social media vs. traditional channels of communication to stay in contact, cultivate your alumni network and communicate regarding employment? In other words, what has social media enabled you to do differently than traditional channels and how are you taking advantage of these differences? Might you… >>>

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

NCES Releases New Data on Student Financial Aid

A newly released report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reveals the average cost of attendance and the net price of attendance for the 2011-12 academic year. The report reveals that the costs varied by institutional sector.

Among full-time, first time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students receiving any grant aid, the average cost, for those attending public 4-year institutions, was approximately $18,300 and net price was about $11,700; for those attending nonprofit 4-year institutions, average cost was roughly $35,200 and net price was about $20,600; and for those attending for-profit 4-year institutions, average cost was approximately $27,000 and net… >>>

Robert Pearl Starks

Blog

Higher Education Challenges During the 2013 US Government Shutdown

What are the consequences and policy ramifications — social, fiscal, and otherwise — of the US government shutdown of 2013? Aspen Institute College Excellence Program Director Josh Wyner explains the challenges the US education system faces during a time when the education sector is rapidly changing.

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Employers hire candidates with experience.

There is empirical evidence that graduates today need specific, job related experience to be considered for employment. How important do you feel experience is in finding a job and what specific steps do you take with individual students to help them gain some experience prior to graduating?

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Meeting the demands of the individual student

The evidence suggests that students benefit most from individualized and structured instruction when finding a job. However, this presents a challenge when trying to manage workload. What resources do you currently use to help provide the student with individual attention (workbooks, videos, mentoring, etc.) that gets results while managing your workload in CS?

Robert Pearl Starks

Discussion Comment

Alumni Associations

The benefits of having an active Alumni Association are many; however, only a small percentage of career colleges have them. Does your institution have a robust Alumni Association and if so, what difficulties did you face getting started and how did you overcome these challenges? Has your institution tried to start an Alumni Association and failed? If so, what happened?

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