Robert Sherfield has been teaching student success, public speaking, and theater, as well as working with first-year success programs, for 35 years. Currently, he is a professor at the College of Southern Nevada.

An award-winning educator, Robb was named Educator of the Year at the College of Southern Nevada. He twice received the Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award from the University of South Carolina at Union, and has received numerous other awards and nominations for out-standing classroom instruction and advisement.

He has extensive experience with the design and implementation of student success programs, including one that was presented at the International Conference on the First-Year Experience in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. He has conducted faculty development keynotes and work-shops at over 400 institutions of higher education across the United States. He has spoken in 46 states and several foreign countries

In addition to his coauthorship of Cornerstones for Community College Success (Kendall Hunt, 2022), he has authored or coauthored Cornerstones for Professionalism (Pearson, 2013), Cornerstone: Discovering Your Potential, Learning Actively, and Living Well (Prentice Hall, 2008), Roadways to Success (Prentice Hall, 2001), the trade book 365 Things I Learned in College (Allyn & Bacon, 1996), Capstone: Succeeding Beyond College (Prentice Hall, 2001), Case Studies for the First Year: An Odyssey into Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (Prentice Hall, 2004), and The Everything Self-Esteem Book (Adams Media, 2004).

Robb's interest in student success began with his own first year in college. Low SAT scores and a dismal high school ranking denied him entrance into college. With the help of a success program, he was granted entrance into college and went on to earn five college degrees, including a doctorate. He has always been interested in the social, academic, and cultural development of students, and sees this book as his way to help students enter the world of work and establish lasting, rewarding careers and productive lives. For more information, visit www.robertsherfield.com.

Patricia G. Moody is Dean Emerita of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management at the University of South Carolina, where she served on the faculty and in administration for over 30 years. An award-winning educator, Pat was honored as Distinguished Educator of the Year at her college, and as Collegiate Teacher of the Year by the National Business Education Association. She was also a top-five finalist for the Amoco Teaching Award at the University of South Carolina. She received the prestigious John Robert Gregg Award, the highest honor in her field of over 100,000 educators.

Pat has coauthored many texts and simulations, including Cornerstones for Professionalism (Pearson, 2013), Cornerstones for Community College Success (Kendall Hunt, 2022), Cornerstone: Discovering Your Potential, Learning Actively, and Living Well (Prentice Hall, 2008), 365 Things I Learned in College (Allyn and Bacon, 1996), Capstone: Succeeding Beyond College (Prentice Hall, 2001), and Case Studies for the First Year: An Odyssey into Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (Prentice Hall, 2004). Prior to writing in the student success field, Pat published several business books and simulations.

A nationally known motivational speaker, consultant, and author, she has spoken in most states, has been invited to speak in several foreign countries, and frequently keynotes national and regional conventions. Pat has presented her signature motivational keynote address, “Fly Like an Eagle,” to tens of thousands of people, from Olympic athletes, to corporate executives, to high school students.

As the dean of her college, she led international trips to build relationships and establish joint research projects in hospitality. Under her direction, faculty members in her college began a landmark study of Chinese tourists. She has traveled the country delivering workshops, key-notes, and presentations on topics such as Managing Change, Working in the New Global Community, the Future of the Future, Student Motivation, and Emotional Intelligence.