Is Your Student Prepared?

Over this decade, nearly 8 in 10 new jobs will require some post-secondary education or training beyond high school and of the 30 fastest growing occupations, 50% require a college degree. College graduates earn an average of 77% more per hour than a high school graduate. That is a significant wage gap among earners in the labor force. Our society needs to embrace some of the foundational challenges to college preparedness, enrollment, persistence and completion.

Our institutions must commit to provide the education and training to prepare our 21st century workforce meet the academic needs of a diverse population of learners including recent high school graduates and adults seeking new skills and retraining. Sustainable collaborations are needed in all communities to provide strong K-12 and higher education partnerships, to encourage college attendance and support colleges that improve college completion, especially for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students. How should we look at technology-based solutions that improve student success? College dropout rates are at an all-time high and we must begin a dialogue about concrete solutions. The conversation begins with us, right here, right now.

Episode Segments:

A Sharpe Outlook: Stephen Jones & Preparing Students Dr. Stephen Jones is an outstanding educator who has spent his career helping students to succeed in K-12 schools and college. He has been instrumental in helping thousands of students realize their dream to earn a degree. He has authored the Seven Secrets of How to Study series, including "Mapping Your Strategy for Better Grades", the "Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide" and the "Ultimate Scholarship Guide." The books provide an understanding of the seven pillars that are essential to learning effective study techniques.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Stephen Jones Dr. Jones is currently President of SAJ Publishing. He is also the Associate Dean of Student in the College of engineering at Villanova University. For thirteen years he worked at Drexel University as Director of the SUCCESS/ACT101 program. He has received numerous awards for his dedication to students. Some of his awards include Distinguished Toast Master, Toastmasters District Award Winner, National Society of Black Engineers Award and Black Engineer of the Year Award. The Drexel University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers recently named an award after him to acknowledge his efforts. The award is titled the Dr. Stephen Jones Award for Academic Excellence. It is presented to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence throughout their enrollment. Stephen has dedicated his life to diminishing the academic gap that prevents students from achieving their dreams. Within a span of twenty-five years he has used his understanding of students to help each of them to reach their full potential. He has reshaped the landscape for students whose families lack the financial resources for their students to remain in college. He has broken the barriers that have limited the intellectual capacity of America’s future workforces. Dr. Jones received his Bachelor’s Degree in Community Psychology from Widener University, Masters in Education from Howard University, Masters in Business Administration from Philadelphia University, and a Doctorate in Education from Widener University and he is the author of several published books. Dr. Jones Website