Meet Dr. Stephen Jones | Dr. Stephen Jones: Education, College and Career Readiness Consultant/Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Stephen Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Stephen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I was starting my business, I thought about all of the first generation college students who were struggling in colleges across the country because they weren’t prepared. I desired to have a business with a mission to reduce the k12 and student dropout rate and simultaneously increasing graduation rates by teaching college readiness and study skills. I knew that I needed to have a vehicle to help students to be successful so I started a book publishing and consulting company to equip students and parents for academic and career success. I named my business SAJ Publishing and Education Consulting Services. I started with the first book titled the Seven Secrets of How to study and now I have five books, online courses and I conduct webinars and workshops. My business continues to grow.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I was a top student in my high school but succeeding in my first year of college was difficult. I was on probation after my first semester of college because I did not know how to get help when I was struggling. I was the first person in my family to go to college and I did not call home for advice. I learned to seek help during the second semester and I was able to turn my grades around. My experience guided me into a career where I serve first generation, low income college and k12 students and help them to graduate in spite of the challenges that they face..

For thirty-seven years, I have helped students, parents and professionals to reach their college and career dreams. I am particularly passionate about the thousands of students who I’ve been able to assist with K12 success and college admission. I am proud of helping thousands of low income and first generation students to graduate from college. I’ve been able to offer parents, schools and college administrators advice that helps at risk students to graduate. I’ve delivered hundreds of presentations on numerous education topics including college readiness, how to study, leadership, effective communication, organization, time management and innovative management practices. I am the author of five books titled “Seven Secrets of How to Study” the “Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide” the “Ultimate Scholarship Guide.” “Seven Secrets of How to Study the Bible and the “10 Keys to a Successful Marriage.” These books provide an easy understanding of the essential skills a student needs to learn and prosper. They serve as guides and resources for school districts, after school programs, organizations and parents. I have managed to get his books into the hands of over 40,000 students and parents. It is hard work but he is dedicated to increasing the number of students who graduate and reducing the dropout rate. The future is now and we must maximize student’s ability learn and to achieve their goals.

I am currently President of SAJ Publishing. He is also the Associate Dean of Student in the College of engineering at Villanova University. For thirteen years I worked at Drexel University as Director of the SUCCESS/ACT101 program. I have received numerous awards for his dedication to students. Some of my 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.

I want the world to know that today you are planting seeds with students for the tomorrow that you expect to see. I have dedicated my life to diminishing the academic achievement gap and personal issues that prevent students from reaching their full potential. I believe that the best is yet to come when we demonstrate compassion and caring for student success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a find that was coming to Philadelphia some of the things we would do,

1. Eat on the Moshulu
2. Go out on the Spirit of Philadelphia Boat for eating and dancing
3. Take a tour of the south Street shops
4. Go to the Black History Museum
5. Watch a Philadanco Performance
6. Eat at the South Restaurant
7. Visit Independence mal
8. Go to church
9. Hang out with friends
10. Go to the King of Prussia Mall

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I was one of six children living in West Philadelphia. My father worked two jobs until he was almost 70 and his mother was a cook for 100 young children. They both worked hard and taught him to have strong faith in God. I gets my determination to make a difference from them. As a young child, I was always questioning others and wanting to know more. I joined a community organization the Young Great Society under the leadership of Herman Wrice because I wanted to play football but it became so much more. It is where I found his passion for education initiatives and community activism and finding ways to get the youth off the street. I took leadership in the Belmont Community Planning and in several of my high school and college out reach programs. During college Ms. Cynthia Skipper and Drs. Betty and Stephen Short (Howard University) and Dr. Judith Thomas (Lincoln University) as I started working are the role models that continued my education on being a servant leader.

Website: http://www.DrJonesbooks.com

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