Robert Pearl Starks

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

Activity

Carolyn, I agree maintaining relationships with alumni is critical and it is very strategic to identify and engage your advocates particularly. You are so right - often, there is a perfect blend of strategic outcomes that can be achieved through a single event. The ones you mention all can converge and all are important. Thank you for sharing how you developed your relationship with the Chamber - it's wonderful! The only reason I asked about any form of measurement is because I wasn't exactly sure of the nature of the relationship - such as a formal program that was developed… >>>

Carolyn, Out of curiosity, have you ever run into an instance in which the student ends up discussing career goals that don't align with the program in which they are enrolled? Additionally, if the institution believes some sort of assessment (conducted via interview in this case)is important, can you shed light as to what prevents these assessments to occur prior to enrollment? Also, how is the assessment discussed with the student so that this practice isn't only used as a means for the career practitioner to conduct an assessment, but also used to allow the student to gain self-knowledge? What… >>>

Carolyn, Do you have any thoughts on what types of new admissions standards might be appropriate relative to the data you have that suggests new admissions standards seem to be needed? Additionally, do you have any thoughts on what data you would use to better determine these new standards? Beyond discussions with Admissions, is this a discussion that occurs at the top leadership level such as with the President, or if part of a larger corporation, with top executives? Perhaps you can evaluate some of the other potential issues that hinder progress in this area such as organizational structure (reporting… >>>

Carolyn, What strategic goals did you have in mind when deciding to engage alumni and in the manner in which you did in this example you provide? Can you discuss the "why" behind the types of events in which your institution has strategically decided to participate. How do these specific examples align with institutional objectives? When you say you work with the Chamber of Commerce, I'm curious if you could also elaborate here for the benefit of other participants. How was this relationship established and how do you specifically work with the Chamber? Can you share any evidence of effectiveness… >>>

Carolyn, I noticed you stated you communicate issues with new enrollments after enrollment but before classes begin. I'm curious if you could share what process you have in place that allows you to collect data on these students prior to class starting to be able to initiate these conversations with other departments. Additionally, in your process, what are you assessing and how are you assessing it? Can you elaborate on this process? Out of curiosity, can you also provide background on how your institution has reached this current state of collaboration. Did you start in your current role with all… >>>

At the Technologies in Education Forum, a variety of experts in educational technology discussed a myriad of topics ranging from MOOCs, badges as a form of credential, and student engagement.  

See what they had to say:

Reimagining Educational Opportunity: College & Employment from The Atlantic on FORA.tv

Economist Andrew McAfee suggests that, yes, probably, droids will take our jobs -- or at least the kinds of jobs we know now. In this far-seeing talk, he thinks through what future jobs might look like, and how to educate coming generations to hold them.

 

Watch this TED TALK

Discussion Comment

Susan, I truly encourage you to stay part of our learning community - www.careercollegelounge. I continue to be a resource to help in any way I can with your career center goals. As you know, it is critical to have a foundational understanding of things which I hope this course has provided (strategy vs. tool knowledge), but, perpetual learning through continued dialogue is truly how we continue to get value from training. I hope you will continue using social media not only to help your students but to help yourself in your own professional development. Modeling desired behaviors is the… >>>

On Thursday, May 16 the Higher Education Group at OISE joined the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), as well as the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) to host a free, one-day symposium.  The event addressed key policy research issues facing Ontario's post-secondary system including student mobility, institutional differentiation and learning outcomes. 

 

Here are the sessions with PPT slides and Video Recordings:

10:00-11:20  Panel 1: Credit Transfer and Student Mobility: Research and Policy Implications

         • Chair: Stacey Young (Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer)
         • Sam Andrey & Jennifer Da Silva: Life After High School - … >>>

NBC News ran a story on a growing trend of Americans flocking to Canadian colleges.  What's the reason?  The cost of tuition was a major factor.  

  • Is your institution seeing a rise in American students attending?  
  • Is your college seeking to recruit American students?
  • What are the challenges and ways in which they can be overcome?

Watch the News Report: 

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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