Want Student Input? Check out Pearson Free Agent!
The word is out! Pearson Free Agent was developed as a channel in which Pearson can engage college students through projects and surveys and reward their efforts with money, free textbooks and published work. Almost 1,500 students nationwide have signed up to become Free Agents and their participation has been phenomenal.
Why? Because Free Agents know that no other education company has ever reached out the way Pearson has. A Free Agent survey about eBooks attracted 500 students within 7 days. We've also had projects that were so popular they closed in a matter of days!
What can Free Agent do for you? Tons. It can help product teams make crucial decisions about how our products and services should be developed through the lens of students all over the country. It can help you conduct valuable, finely-honed market research with massive numbers of students.
In order to delve deeper into the student experience, we need engaging, dynamic, and resourceful projects. Do you have a query and want a taste of the student opinion? Or do you have ambitious projects that require student content? Contact Brennon Slattery — he'll help you blast it out of the gate in no time, track progress, and deliver results. Learn more at www.PearsonFreeAgent.com
The Pearson Campus Ambassador ProgramNew and Improved for 2010!
After two years of growth, the Pearson Campus Ambassador program is doubling for fall 2010. Once a stipend position, starting in summer the Campus Ambassadors will be hired as part-time Pearson employees and paid hourly for their work.
The Pearson Campus Ambassador program directly supports the goals and vision of Pearson Education by helping college students succeed academically and get the most from their educational materials. Trained by Tech Specialists, Student Relations, and the sales team, a Pearson Campus Ambassador is a force to be reckoned with!
The Student Relations team is currently recruiting and interviewing candidates for fall 2010. They are collaborating with national student organizations, Pearson staff, and campus faculty to spread the word and hire the best talent for the Pearson Campus Ambassador program.
Help spread the news of this part-time job opportunity on your campuses by forwarding the recruitment email and/or flyer to your contacts (copies are in the Pearson Higher Ed Doc Library). Email the Pearson Campus Ambassador information to your campus's career centers, student leadership organizations, or any other places that students search for part-time jobs.
If you're interested in working with a Campus Ambassador, contact Ashley Marie Hill. Learn more at www.PearsonStudents.com.
Pearson Foundation Supports Communities by Investing in StudentsProgram to provide financial assistance and grants
Nearly 9,000 university and community college students applied for the Pearson Prize when the Pearson Foundation announced it in March. The Pearson Prize is a student leadership award that recognizes and supports undergraduate US students who are distinguishing themselves by leading public and community service efforts. Members of the Pearson Student Advisory Board crafted the Pearson Prize with the help of the Pearson Foundation's Adam Ray.
“The Pearson Prize, along with our other student initiatives, brings Pearson people closer to the students and communities we all serve, improving everything we do.”
Adam RayPearson Foundation
Pearson Prize recipients will reflect the sentiments of Pearson itself. Starting in May, the Pearson Higher Education group will start learning about the top applicants and choose the ultimate recipients.
Pearson Prize will award 20 students financial assistance and additional support and 50 with a single one-time grant. Recipients will take part in the Pearson Foundation's mobile and digital media projects that support student leadership.
Learn more about the Pearson Prize or email Kathleen VanDernoot for additional information.
Pearson Campus Ambassadors Add Fresh Perspective to Faculty SymposiaProvide insight about classroom expectations
At the two recent PHIT/PHASE events in Orlando and Phoenix, two groups of Pearson Campus Ambassadors gave attending faculty members a valuable glimpse into the viewpoints of their students. The PHITs (Prentice Hall Information Technology Symposium for Educators) and PHASEs (Prentice Hall Accounting Symposium for Educators) are sponsored by Pearson's Business Economics and Information Technology team. The events are designed to bring IT and Accounting professors together to share best practices. They also serve as a breeding ground for new ideas.
“One of the most valuable experiences at PHIT and PHASE was hearing the feedback from professors. I found out just how much they care about the textbooks and love the technology that comes along with the Pearson textbooks.”
Crystal HardyPearson Campus Ambassador
Georgia Southern University
The Orlando Pearson Campus Ambassador group assumed a provocative approach, opening with a role-play of an ineffective instructor. They followed with a portrayal of an instructor adhering to the principles reported as favorable in a student survey they conducted. The group, consisting of Hayley Baum, Ben Birnbaum, Ladesha Maduro, and Crystal Hardy, went on to show videos featuring students from their schools talking about their classroom expectations.
“It was incredibly valuable to have students not only attend the PHIT and PHASE events this year, but present and share their perspectives with faculty. Hearing directly from students helped to validate our purpose.”
Tori Olson AlvesPearson Senior Marketing Manager
Computer Information Systems
The Pearson Campus Ambassador group presenting at the Phoenix event opened the floor to faculty for their impressions of what today's students are like. Matt Sarosy, Madeleine Watson, and Nathan Elness then covered the survey results against the backdrop of their audience's perceptions. Next, they opened the floor to professors to share best practices with the group. Both presentations were extremely successful, leaving the audiences wanting to know more.
Day in the Life
- Pearson Campus Ambassador
- Matt Sarosy
- Ohio State University
When I first heard of the Pearson Campus Ambassador Program I wasn't sure what to expect. Now I talk about the experience with my peers, family, and friends almost every day! Since becoming an Ambassador at Ohio State University, I have gained real first-hand marketing experience that cannot be taught in the classroom.
The Campus Ambassador Program offers an unlimited number of opportunities:
- I've spoken before lecture halls filled with hundreds of students.
- I got a chance to speak with over 200 professors at the PHIT/PHASE conference.
- Together with Pearson representatives, I've run focus groups, met with professors, and planned new ways to reach students.
I've seen first-hand how the Pearson resources have improved the learning of students here at OSU. The relationships I've developed with Pearson professionals, professors, and other students have been invaluable. I am grateful for the chance to be a part of this program and look forward to the expansion and growth of it in the future.
Day in the Life
- Pearson Campus Ambassador
- James Fenner
- University of Pennsylvania
In my two semesters as a Pearson Campus Ambassador, I've already had the chance to meet and work with quite a few Pearson employees and learn more about careers post-college.
Perhaps the most memorable experience as an Ambassador was getting Sandi Kirshner, Chief Marketing Officer at Pearson Higher Education, to speak at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Sandi first spoke about her career in marketing, touching upon gender equality in the workforce, changes in publishing technology, and the rapid growth of Pearson as a leader in the education market.
- Sandi then spoke about the importance of student involvement in shaping higher education materials. What better way to create effective college textbooks and resources then to gain the perspectives of college students themselves?
Staying true to Pearson's goal of increasing student involvement, I worked with campus groups and Pearson staff to launch a marketing case competition at Penn for Pearson Free Agent. Pearson Free Agent is such a great and convenient way for students to be involved in shaping Pearson's resources. I was proud to be a part of getting the word out about this wonderful opportunity!
Learn more about the Pearson Campus Ambassador program.