Thomas Roberts, President of Roberts Education Corp, Founder of the Great Student Network, and author of three books from the Great Student Book Series appeared at the Book Expo America in the Los Angeles Convention Center to talk about the books that he has written and how they can help students, parents and teachers.

Great Student Book Series

“How to Be a Great Student”
The Ultimate Guide for YOU to Learn, Prepare, and Become the Best Student YOU Can Be

“How to Raise a Great Student”
The Ultimate Guide to Raising the Best Student YOU Possibly Can

“How to Have a Great College Experience”
The Ultimate Guide for YOU to Have the Best College Experience YOU Possibly Can

The Great Student Network is a grassroots movement started by Thomas Roberts based on his fundamental belief that “Every Student Deserves a Chance to Be Great”. Mr. Roberts, a passionate, dynamic, and uplifting leader, aspires to inspire, empower, and assist individuals to become the best students they can possibly be. The Great Student Network works closely with educators, nonprofits, and leading organizations across the country focused on helping students and parents enjoy better lives.

The Great Student Network looks for amazing efforts, commitment to others, and powerful stories to celebrate and showcase. Roberts and the Great Student Network believe that those people and organizations working everyday to improve the lives of others deserve more attention, recognition, and appreciation.

"I recognize that there are millions of people that want an education, know it’s important, and are willing to do whatever it takes to earn one. I commit to doing all that I can DO to empower them," said Thomas Roberts, President of the Great Student Network. “I fully believe that every student deserves a chance to be great. I want to assist, empower, and inspire every student that is trying his/her best to maximize his/her educational experience.”

Thomas Roberts, founder of the Great Student Network, led the talented students through a “Great Student Workshop.”. The students were allowed to share and voice their opinions of the power of education, their best study habits, and their ideals career paths. Each student’s study and preparation habits were also examined and evaluated by Mr. Roberts to enhance their preparation and learning habits.

In Prince George County Maryland, there’s a middle school that is developing future kings and queens. The school, Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Beltsville, MD, encourages its students to become all that they are destined to be. The King and Queens Mentoring Program, led by J, Otis Harris is a wonderful illustration of that commitment.

Mr. Harris and other concerned teachers provide training, teaching, leadership, and coaching designed to help these future leaders develop the self-respect, confidence, and critical thinking necessary to become leaders inside and outside of the school. The students are exposed to successful leaders, educators, and concerned citizens that share their wisdom, knowledge, and expertise to spark a sense of belief, commitment, and understanding of how a quality education can transform their lives.

MLK Jr.’s Kings & Queens embraces the power of their choices The photo to the left reflects that these students not only work hard, respect themselves, and work closely together, but they also pay attention. When Mr. Roberts asked, “What are the real impact of choices?” they flashed three fingers representing Mr. Roberts signature answer:

“There are only three potential results to every choice that YOU make, your life:

Gets better,
 Stays the same, or
 Gets worse.”

On April 19th, Thomas Roberts, President of Roberts Education Corp, Founder of the Great Student Network, and author of "HOW TO BE A GREAT STUDENT", will be the keynote speaker at the Fairfax County Public Schools Annual Leadership Conference for Boys at the Herndon Middle School, 901 Locust Street in Herndon, Virginia.

The Great Student Network is a grassroots movement started by Thomas Roberts based on his fundamental belief that “Every Student Deserves a Chance to Be Great”. Mr. Roberts, a passionate, dynamic, and uplifting leader, aspires to inspire, empower, and assist individuals to become the best students they can possibly be. The Great Student Network works closely with educators, nonprofits, and leading organizations across the country focused on helping students and parents enjoy better lives.

The Great Student Network looks for amazing efforts, commitment to others, and powerful stories to celebrate and showcase. Roberts and the Great Student Network believe that those people and organizations working everyday to improve the lives of others deserve more attention, recognition, and appreciation.

"I recognize that there are millions of people that want an education, know it’s important, and are willing to do whatever it takes to earn one. I commit to doing all that I can DO to empower them," said Thomas Roberts, President of the Great Student Network. “I fully believe that every student deserves a chance to be great. I want to assist, empower, and inspire every student that is trying his/her best to maximize his/her educational experience.”

At the Fairfax County Leadership Conference, all 550 attendees will be receiving a copy of Thomas Roberts’ first book, "HOW TO BE A GREAT STUDENT", which is the ultimate guide for students to learn, prepare and become the best students that they can be.

The Fairfax County Annual Leadership Conference for Middle School Boys is a leadership conference designed to help teach and mentor young boys on how to realize their potential and dreams through their education and studies. Over 500 eighth grade boys from 26 middle schools will attend the conference, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Approximately 50 professional men will conduct leadership sessions with students in the morning and career sessions in the afternoon.

What would you do if you were the richest person in the world? It’s sounds like a ridiculous question, unless your name is Bill Gates.

In 1999, Bill and his wife, Melinda, through their Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, created and funded the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMSP) with a $1 billion grant. The GMSP, administered by the United Negro College Fund, seeks to empower America’s brightest and most talented minorities to their highest heights through an empowering, flexible, and comprehensive scholarship.

Earlier this fall, I had the distinct pleasure of being the keynote speaker at the Gates Millennium Scholars “Bridge Builders” Event at Southeastern University in Washington, DC. The event, led by Charles Evans, Program Manager for Communications for the GMS, designed to educate and expose communities of the GMSP, was packed. Students, parents, and mentors from all over the Metro DC area were in attendance early on Saturday morning until the conclusion of the program late Saturday afternoon. Evans walked the audience through each component of the GMSP application process, eligibility requirements, and more. Two dynamic Gates Scholars were in attendance and led a panel where they were able to share their inspiring stories, experience, and perspectives with the attendees. The scholars also made themselves available to address questions and concerns from prospective candidates.

Outside of the tremendous prestige and recognition of being a Gates Scholar, recipients receive a wonderful economic commitment to pursue their education. What sets the GMS apart from other scholarships?
  • The scholarship is for the student, not a particular college or university.
  • Since the scholarship follow you, you could transfer to another college if you are unsatisfied with your original choice.
  • GMSP is for up to ten years * (Assuming your studies are in approved areas.)
  • In undergraduate studies, you can use the GMSP for any degree.
  • To use the GMSP in graduate school and beyond, a scholarship recipient must pursue a degree in the areas of education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health and sciences.
  • You could take a year or two to work and gain actual experience after your undergraduate studies before your graduate studies and NOT lose any GMSP eligibility. The time working does not count against your ten years.
  • The GMSP is not for a specified amount, but for your total unmet need and expected personal contribution or self-help.
  • Renewable awards if satisfactory academic performance is maintained.
  • Gates Scholars participate in world class Leader Development programs.
  • No age restriction.
  • Scholars receive specially created Academic Empowerment Services.

Bill Gates’ legendary vision, leadership, and business acumen is beyond reproach. Now, through their generous and loving gift, he and his wife are showing that they believe that every student deserves a chance to be great have committed to turning the underserved and underrepresented members of our country truly into “Leaders for America’s Future”, exactly as the Gates Millennium Scholar slogan indicates.

To learn more about the Gates Millennium Scholars Program please visit www.gmsp.org.

For detailed tips and assistance on what you need to do to apply for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program please visit www.imaginegms.com.

*Gates Scholars print applications most be post-marked by December 31st and the online application is due by January 11 at 11:59pm.

Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) “Bridge Builders” Success Tips
  1. Set Goals
  2. Ask for Help
  3. Look for Support
  4. Build a Team
  5. Try Your Best
  6. Beat Deadlines
  7. Be Honest
  8. Don’t Give Up
  9. Remain Confident

www.gmsp.org   or   www.imaginegms.com

GSN visits the International Programs Office at the Fisher College of Business.

Have you ever seen over 105,000 people cheering at the top of their lungs? Me neither, well, not until last Saturday. What was it like? Well, let me tell you…

One of the most successful programs in college sports is the Ohio State University’s football program. With legendary coaches such as Woody Hayes and today’s Jim Tressel, Heisman trophy winners Archie Griffin, Eddie George, and Troy Smith, and numerous national championships, OSU fans bleed scarlet and grey. Walk down any street in Columbus, Ohio and you’ll see something Ohio State - not just the typical flags, jerseys, or bumper stickers, either. You’ll see hats, caps, shirts, sweatshirts, footballs, pens, blouses, ties, helmets, wheel cap covers, baby clothes, goal posts, checker board sets, cufflinks, or whatever else you could imagine. I’m serious. Go to College Traditions across from the Stadium and see for yourself. It’s mind-boggling just how deep and broad the love shared for one school.

What made the Ohio State University experience neat for me what the pageantry. It’s typical and normal for the students, alums, and fans to be passionate about their sports teams, but it’s not always common for the faculty, professors, academics, etc. to share that same love, appreciation, and obsession with sports. Not so at Ohio State. A great tradition and symbol of this academic support is the “Pre-game at Fisher” tailgate. Here, faculty, staff, and dignitaries of the Fisher College of Business gather for food, fellowship, and fun before home games. I met professors, heads of departments, saw the provost, and even shared lunch with the Melissa Torres, International Progams/CIBER and Interim Dean, Stephen Mangum, and his family, and to a person, all were rabid Buckeyes.

The Ohio State University, according to enrollment totals from Autumn 2006, is the country’s largest college with an enrollment of 59,091. The Fisher College of Business is a state-of-the-art world class complex that spands over 370-000 square feet. It is the most comprehensive multi-building project ever constructed at the university. The College was founded in 1916, contains 81 full-time faculty, 22 senior lecturers, and 4,747 undergraduates, over 270 full-time MBA students, 304 part-time MBA students, and 65 Ph.D, and 161 Masters students.

The most notable landmark of the campus is the Ohio Stadium, better known as “The Horseshoe”. The “Shoe” seats 102,329 people and typically hosts over 105,000 for home football games. The fans arrive early, too, but not only to support the football team. Almost every person I spoke to said the same thing to me, “Make sure you go in early to see the band enter the field.” Yes, that’s right; go early to see the band!

The Ohio State Marching Band is a tradition and a source of tremendous pride for OSU fans as well. The band, known as the “The Best… Band in the Land”, entered the stadium exactly twenty minutes before kickoff to a standing ovation. Perfect formations, incredible sound, and precision steps thrilled the crowd. As surprising as it was to see fans arrive early to see the band, I was equally stunned at what I discovered at halftime: nearly everyone stayed to watch the band perform again. Like football, OSU fans support their band.

Speaking of OSU fans, the next time you are in Columbus or anywhere near OSU fans and you want to get folks riled up simply yell “O – H!”, then watch and listen to what happens. I’ll warn you now, you’d better cover your ears. The “O – H!” chant will be met by others with a matching scream of “I –O!” It is surreal. I saw and heard women, men, kids, frat boys, and even a grandfather scream “O – H!” as we walked towards the stadium before the game and it was met enthusiastically by “I – O!” every time. Unreal.

The love for The Ohio State University is pretty spectacular. This school embodies the love for the State of Ohio, the impressive football history, and one beloved marching band. If you get a chance to attend an OSU home football, go for it. It’s an obsession, passion, and experience worth witnessing.

To learn more about exciting programs offered at the Fisher College of Business at Ohio State University visit their website: www.fisher.osu.edu.

The next time that you are the Triad of North Carolina (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, & High Point), take a minute to do something good for the environment. But, I warn you, you’re actually going to be treating yourself to one of the coolest, most stylish, and pampering experiences one could enjoy while your at it. How do you accomplish this? Check into the Proximity Hotel for a night or two.

The Proximity Hotel is Greensboro, North Carolina’s brand new, slick, edgy, sophisticated, “green” hotel. No, it’s not the color green, it’s actually environmentally friendly. For most people, it’s hard to image that being good to the environment means sacrifice in features, style, and pleasure. The Proximity Hotel not only dispels those primitive notions, but it shatters them.

With 147 stylish rooms (including 10 suites), featuring a loft style and refurbished textile mill look and feel, the Proximity Hotel delivers in excellence in every way. Equipped with a 1,450 square feet fitness studio, a “Social Lobby” and gathering area with 22 –foot high wall of windows that overlook amazing gardens, 2.5 acre natural habitat, over 7,300 square feet of event space, and a world class restaurant, Print Works Bistro, adjacent to the hotel guests will enjoy will feel like they are in the heart of any major urban city. To ensure that guests enjoy a clean experience, the hotel, restaurant, dining areas, and outdoor gardens are smoke-free environments. If that isn’t enough, schedule a complimentary ride to deliver you from the airport in one of the hotel’s retro taxis.

If you’re still not satisfied, the Proximity Hotel provides complimentary Wi-Fi access in each room in addition to the “Guest lounge living room” feature on each floor. The living room feature area makes each floor look and feel like the concierge level through its curtain surrounded seating area, free desktop computer with Internet access, and printer. Guests can print out boarding passes, directions to their next event, or whatever else they choose at any time of the day.

What is most fascinating about the Proximity is that all of this in an environmentally friendly fashion. The top of the hotel hosts 100 solar panels which helps heat the water for the hotel and the restaurant. Many of the walls are actually beautifully painted cement. The piping throughout the premises is exposed. The counters in the bathroom are actually sleek shelving without any drawers that are below three separate narrow mirror sections. The guest rooms don’t have huge dressers but instead provide with a small cabinet to store your clothing. Each room has gorgeous large windows throughout which provide amazing light and character. The lights and circuits in the room are controlled by two light switches which provides the guest with the ability to turn off all unused outlets and lights, using fewer resources which benefits us all.

How would I describe the Proximity Hotel? Cool, hip, urban, and fresh delivered with a twist of flair and a hint of southern hospitality. It’s a stunning facility that proves that being environmentally friendly doesn’t have to mean boring, expensive, and sacrificial. The Proximity Hotel sets the standard and is a model for what every business should aspire to accomplish: “Provide your clients with a world class experience in an environmentally friendly and responsible way while meeting your business objectives.” That is a business recipe for success that allows everyone to win.

The Proximity Hotel has created a business model that truly is sustainable.

To learn more about the Proximity Hotel, please visit their website at: www.proximityhotel.com

Proximity Hotel is a “green hotel” “Proximity Hotel is following guidelines of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System,™ the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance.“ www.proximityhotel.com/green.htm

Thomas Roberts, Founder of the GSN, hosted a booth in addition leading two “Raise a Great Student” workshops at the National Coalition of ESEA Title I Parents, Inc. (NCESEATIP) 34th Annual In-Service Training Conference. The conference was attended by parents, educational leaders, superintendents, PTA leaders from across the country, and more. Each day was filled with inspiring and educational panels, hands-on teaching and instructional workshops, and engaged collaborative discussion.

The conference provides concerned, involved, and responsible parents with comprehensive information, up to the minute details and facts regarding No Child Left Behind, and direct access to the most credible, influential, and powerful educational leaders from across the country. It allows those parents that usually have no voice or access a chance to be seen and heard while being equipped with the critical training, tools, and understanding required to have a positive impact in their own educational system.

The “Raise A Great Student” Workshops were a tremendous success. Parents were motivated and inspired by Roberts’ powerful story. As the son of a tenant farmer and a mother that was raised in the projects, Roberts understands what all that is required to transcend one’s circumstance. In his workshops, he provided actionable training and tools that parents could utilize to help their students achieve greatness throughout their educational experience through a comprehensive review of his two new books, How to Raise a Great Student and How to Be a Great Student.

Parents left the workshops fully equipped with the training and tools necessary to make their homes a positive learning environment. For long-term success, they have to consistently put in the time and effort required. Based on the passion and energy witnessed by this year’s crop of parents, we shouldn’t bet against them.

For more information on the National Coalition of ESEA Title I Parents, Inc. (NCESEATIP), please check out their website: www.nctic1p.org

“Title I is the largest federally funded elementary and secondary education program. It evolved from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, which was enacted as part of President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty. The program provides for supplementary academic assistance to economically and educationally disadvantaged children.”

Overview

The National Coalition of ESEA Title I Parents was formed by 50 parents in 1973 from across the nation after a meeting convened by the National Advisory Council on the Education of Disadvantaged Children (NACEDC). William “Hicks” Anderson of Wilmington, Delaware initiated the effort that launched the Coalition into a national organization.

The Coalition was established to provide information, training, and technical assistance to Title I parents whom the law, PL 89-10 (Title I, ESEA, 1965), had granted the right and authority to participate in the planning, implementation and evaluation of local Title I programs.

The purpose of the Coalition is:
  • To build a network of parents, educators, and concerned citizens committed to advocating for educational programs for disadvantaged children.
  • To advocate for full parental rights, involvement, and responsibility in the education of their children; and
  • To help parents become involved in the education of their children and build a cooperative relationship between the home and school.

The Coalition is a grassroots parent organization whose training and technical assistance efforts have empowered thousands of parents across the nation. The annual in-service training conference is the only source of information and professional development for many parents and parent educators. This year marks the 34th annual conference.

Basketball legend commits energy to empowering students.

In 2004, former North Carolina high school star, Thomas Roberts received the Colonial Athletic Association’s Men’s Basketball Legend Award for his tremendous accomplishments at William & Mary where graduated as the school’s 5th leading scorer with 1,765 points and with a BA in Economics and Anthropology and for his business career as a Wall Street banker. Now, Mr. Roberts has shifted his life to focus his energy, experience, and resources to his lifelong passion: helping students maximize their education.

Roberts has worked with students of all ages for over twenty years as a coach, counselor, and corporate recruiter for undergraduate and MBA students and now feels it is time to do his part to help students and parents get the most of the educational process. Why is Roberts so committed to his new path? It’s his roots.

“I’m the first male on either side of my family to graduate college. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I am the smartest person in my family, it just reflects the fact that I received the best opportunities to pursue my education. My parents, staunch believers in and advocates for education, were not able to pursue college. They had to work to support their brothers and sisters”, Roberts says directly. “Both of my parents are smart, hard working, and talented individuals, but their circumstances kept them from college.”

Roberts recognizes that there are millions of people that want an education, know it’s important, and are willing to do whatever it takes to earn one. He commits to doing all that he can to empower them. “I fully believe that every student deserves a chance to be great. I want to assist, empower, and inspire every student that is trying his/her best to maximize his/her educational experience.”

It’s a pretty ambitious goal, but judging from where Roberts comes from and all that he has accomplished thus far, we shouldn’t bet against him.

Students, parents and educators star in the GSN.

Are you looking for a positive place for students, parents, and educators? Do you believe that every student deserves a chance to be great? Do you believe that more focus, emphasis, and acknowledgment of those that are accomplishing great things in education should exist? “Welcome to the Great Student Network!”

The Great Student Network (GSN) is a positive collaborative network designed to showcase the power of education, educate, empower, and inspire students and parents to achieve great things in education, and acknowledge, celebrate, and promote those that are doing great things in education. On the GSN’s website, www.greatstudentetwork.com, users will be able to view interesting profiles, see GSN Award winners, nominate someone for a GSN Award or profile, learn valuable tips and lessons, and acquire innovative and powerful education tools.

The founder of the GSN, Thomas Roberts, is a dynamic personality determined to help students help themselves. Roberts, the only child of a tenant farmer and daughter raised in the projects who did not graduate college, is the first male in his family to graduate college. He has directly witnessed the power of education and aspires to share what he has learned. “I know the opportunities that my quality education have afforded me and I fully understand its importance as the world flattens and become more global,” Roberts says. “We must provide students with the fundamental habits, skills, and tools required to prepare and learn. With that foundation, they can develop the ability to process, grasp, and understand whatever is required of them,” he explains.

Every student does deserve a chance to accomplish great things and the opportunity to receive a quality education and for those of you that agree, the Great Student Network is waiting on you.

Susie Kay’s Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund makes a difference – everyday!

Most people see injustice, disadvantage, and insurmountable odds and shrug them off. Most people complain about the troubles that they witness, but never do anything constructive about it. Well, after one minute in the room with her, you immediately realize that Susie Kay is not most people.

When a small town girl from Rhode Island moved to Washington, DC to teach she was determined to make a difference. She was clean cut, positive, optimistic, and excited to actually be a high school teacher. Her job was at H.G. Woodson, in DC’s forgotten and most challenged part of town, Anacostia. She was not in Rhode Island any more. Kay recalls, “... story of thoughts regarding her initial view of the school”. The school was a tower, not a sprawling campus environment that exudes learning. Students faced challenges, hurdles, and obstacles beyond comprehension and logic for high school aged kids. In fact, Susie’s first year would have rightfully overwhelmed the average person. Susie explains, “quote regarding the eleven funerals she attended in her first year and that she had never been to a funeral before in her previous 23 years to that point” But all was not gloomy or dark at Woodson. Susie saw and worked with many talented, intelligent, and hard working students that with a little help could accomplish great things through education. The problem? Influence and resources. That’s when she had an idea…” story of how she created the first b-ball tourney to raise money for her students”

That was over ten years, 880 students, and immeasurable life changing impact ago. Today, the Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund (HDSF) is one of the Washington, DC’s crown jewels. HDSF is a student – mentor college prep program that is changing lives and communities one student at a time. Each of the 80 high school seniors are paired with an adult professional that mentors and aides the student through the college application process. Additionally, each student participates in the prestigious Princeton Review program (at no charge) in order to maximize their performance on standardized tests. Kay describes, “…discuss the impact of the mentors, relationships developed, and college enrollment success…”

Susie Kay and The Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund are wonderful contributors to Washington, DC. They take a relationship approach to providing students with the fundamental training, tools, and support required for high school students to graduate and prepare for, then enroll in college. They raise the expectations of what a student from Anacostia can do, be, and achieve and invest in their success every day.

Most people dream of making a difference. Susie Kay and her Hoop Dreams Scholarship Fund turn previously unattainable dreams into blossoming realities.

New Great Student curriculum now available!

Empower YOUniversity proudly announces the release of two powerful, innovative, and easy to use educational tools for students and parents. The first, How to Be a Great Student: The Ultimate Guide for YOU to Learn, Prepare, and Become the Best Student YOU Can Be, is an action and behavior-based work focused on the choices, lessons, and actions great students utilize to maximize their educational experience. It contains 130 easy to read, learn, and implement lessons across 11 subjects. The book is designed specifically to aid, improve, and train students in middle and high school to learn, develop, and understand great study, preparation, and learning habits.

Their second title, How to Raise a Great Student: The Ultimate Guide to Raising the Best Student YOU Possibly Can, is for all parents that want their children to have a positive and productive academic career. The book provides parents with tangible tips, guidance, and advice of how to effectively communicate with their children and their children’s educators. It also provides parents meaningful and helpful choices and decisions that they can make to make their home a positive learning environment and a loving, nurturing, and supportive place for their children. How to Raise a Great Student contains 77 lessons that cover 7 different subjects designed to help parents with students of all ages, abilities, and personalities.

“Providing YOU the fundamentals to win in the game of life” is the motto, mission, and mantra of Empower YOUniversity. With their initial works, they sure are off to a great start!