What I Care AboutStudents talk about what matters most to them, what motivates them to achieve their goals, and how they're making a difference.

Meet the Pearson Student Advisory Board

We're proud to introduce you to the remarkable students that have been chosen to serve on this year's Pearson Student Advisory Board. Collectively, they represent a diverse pool of bright, rising stars with a deep desire to make a difference. Individually, each Board member brings a unique perspective to help us better understand students' educational needs. Read about their inspiring backgrounds and learn their motivation for getting involved with the PSAB.

2010-2011 Members of the Pearson Student Advisory Board

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Victor CalderonVictor Calderon
University of North Carolina • Chapel Hill, NCPolitical Science / Peace, War, and Defense | Junior
Victor was taught the importance of perseverance and scholarship early on by growing up in a single parent household; he watched his mother juggle parenting and studying to later earn a graduate degree and become a college educator herself. He is currently a proud brother of the Alpha Kappa chapter of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, a member of the National Spanish Honor Society and is recognized as a Watson-Brown Scholar.
Victor has worked as a technology coordinator for the Department of Romance Languages at UNC for two years. He credits his exposure to emerging technologies and the latest innovations in instructional methodologies to his experiences in that capacity. As a Teaching Assistant for the UNC Spanish Immersion Program, Victor has worked closely with instructors to integrate Pearson's online learning tools into courses, and has seen the difference Pearson's products make.
From an early age, Victor has sought to better the communities around him through his involvement in several extracurricular organizations and programs, including the Red Cross, Home Works, Habitat for Humanity and the MLK Day for Service.
By being part of the Pearson Student Advisory Board, Victor believes he can bring his passion for education and leadership skills to meet the challenges of today's students and tomorrow's leaders.
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Flor CerdaFlor Cerda
Joliet Junior College • Joliet, ILAssociate of Science | Sophomore
Flor was born in the US, but she had the opportunity to experience the educational system in three countries. Flor attended grade school in Mexico and came to the United States when she was six years old. Later she moved to Ecuador for the last three years of high school. When she began college at Joliet Junior College, she understood the value of an American education and took advantage of every opportunity she had. She is currently an honors student, a Phi Theta Kappa member and a Sigma Delta Mu member. She will be transferring to a four-year institution to obtain an electrical engineering degree. Flor excels in academics and has served as a peer tutor in Chemistry, Mathematics and Spanish. In addition to her schoolwork, she interns at Exelon Nuclear, the largest nuclear fleet in the country.
Flor is committed to helping her college peers and community. She was President of the Peer Mentor Leadership program for underrepresented groups. She worked for the Office of Multicultural Affairs and helped improve strategies for Latino outreach and retention in education. Furthermore, she volunteers at her local church as a computer instructor for adults.
Flor is delighted to be part of the Pearson Student Advisory Board. As a member, she hopes to bring a diverse point of view through her international and community college experience, as well as her enthusiasm to excel in education.
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Emma Fialka-FeldmanEmma Fialka-Feldman
Mount Holyoke College • South Hadley, MACritical Social Thought | Senior
Emma is a founding member of the Beyond Tolerance Project and a committed Intergroup Dialogue facilitator at Mount Holyoke College, which all work toward creating spaces to learn and develop action plans for building a more inclusive campus. She also volunteers at a local elementary school. During the summer Emma interned for the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor and facilitated programs on the U.S./Mexico border for young people to learn about immigration and globalization with Me to We: Trips. She has spoken widely and her writings on topics of diversity, inclusion and immigration have been published.
Emma is excited about the opportunity to understand another facet of the education industry as a Pearson Student Advisory Board member. She received the Coca-Cola Scholarship, Apple Scholarship, and Mount Holyoke Leadership Merit Scholarship toward her studies at Mount Holyoke.
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Daniel GuillenDaniel Guillen
Hillsborough Community College, Honors Institute • Tampa, FLMechanical Engineering | Sophomore
Daniel Guillen has excelled academically and established a strong record of leadership and service. A member of Hillsborough Community College's Honors Institute, Daniel has represented his college in three major conferences and participated in panel presentations for the Florida Collegiate Honors Council and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development. Daniel was one of eight community college students who participated in the 3,000 student conference for the Harvard National Model United Nations.
Appointed as President of the charter chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Daniel motivated members to attend monthly meetings and to participate in monthly community service activities for his five-campus college. His chapter received the Gold Star Status, unusual for a charter chapter. Daniel was also selected as an Honors Ambassador and is happy to continue in that role for a second year.
Even though he has earned numerous recognitions, served successfully in various leadership roles, participated in many community service activities and maintained a high GPA, Daniel continues to pick seasonal crops in the fields alongside his family.
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Jesse KlauckeJesse Klaucke
University of Tampa • Tampa, FLAccounting | Junior
Jesse Klaucke, a Coca-Cola Scholar, is an exemplary student committed to campus and community service. He is a member of the honors program and recognized as a Presidents Scholar at the University of Tampa. He is also President of UT Diplomats, an organization which serves as ambassadors at campus and community events.
Jesse maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA in the John Sykes College of Business while dedicating time to local service organizations. He is also an active member of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honorary society for business students and professionals, and serves on the university's student judicial board.
In addition to his academic achievements, Jesse is a business-oriented individual who has held many high-profile internships. For the past eight years Jesse has worked with the Chatham A's of the Cape Baseball League in many capacities and served as Director of Sales. He has more than doubled yearly sales in his tenure. He is also very active with The Davenport Companies of Cape Cod as an executive intern and staff member.
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Kelsey LoveKelsey Love
University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TNMarketing | Senior
Kelsey Love is from the small city of Alcoa, Tennessee, where she learned the importance of education, hard work and perseverance. Kelsey's inspiration has been largely credited to the birth of her son, Kamden, in 2008. She took online classes at a community college her freshman and sophomore years, where she received the honor of Phi Theta Kappa both years. Kelsey transferred to the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the College of Business as a junior in 2009. She has remained on the Dean's List each semester and was awarded cum laude.
Kelsey has been employed at Hilton Hotels for five years and has recently left the Corporate Office of Clayton Homes in the Lead Generation department to pursue an internship at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Furthermore, Kelsey has remained an active member of Alcoa First United Methodist Church. There, she volunteers in mission work and other various activities, including the Children's Ministry and a trip to the Dominican Republic and Haiti. She will be returning to Haiti this summer as part of the Haitian Relief Project.
Kelsey is excited about the experiences the Pearson Student Advisory Board will bring. She hopes to connect with a broader range of college students.
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Chelsey MannChelsey Mann
Purdue University • West Lafayette, INAgricultural Education / Agricultural Economics | Senior
Chelsey Mann has had a passion for agriculture since she was a little girl growing up on a family farm in Cloverdale, Indiana. Now double-majoring in Agricultural Education and Agricultural Economics at Purdue University, her passion is transforming her love of agriculture into real world experiences. Chelsey is active on campus with activities ranging from Indiana Association of Agricultural Educators – Purdue Chapter to living in a cooperative house to the Purdue Leadership Certificate Development Program. Chelsey has made a significant effort to gain broad work experiences in the agricultural industry. Over the past three summers, Chelsey has had three different internships. She has worked in a wheat genetics laboratory; with the Indiana FFA Association and Foundation; and for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America.
Chelsey is excited about the opportunity to work with Pearson Student Advisory Board. She hopes to combine her work and leadership experiences to benefit all students and educators.
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Sarah MocherniakSarah Mocherniak
Acadia University • Wolfville, NSBusiness | Junior
Sarah Mocherniak joined the Acadia University community from her hometown of Aurora, Ontario. Throughout her years at Acadia, Sarah worked not only with students but also gained an alumni perspective working in the Office of Alumni Affairs.
Many projects for Sarah have included Alumni Summer Reunion for over 300 returning Alumni; Convocation Weekend and Homecoming Weekend at Acadia University; as well as various fundraising initiatives and numerous golf tournaments. One of Sarah's favorite experiences is when she and two of her classmates successfully organized and executed a day for 30 mentally challenged individuals to come to Acadia University to experience the school.
Sarah is eager to contribute to upcoming projects in her new role with the Pearson Student Advisory Board. Her friends and colleagues know her best as an upbeat social contributor. Her work experience, group projects and involvement in sports has reinforced the importance of team effort, and with this key value, she cannot wait to collaborate with her fellow Board members.
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Isaiah MooreIsaiah Moore
Morehouse College • Atlanta, GAEnglish | Senior
When passion and professionalism are intertwined, the impossible becomes plausible. This mantra guides many of Isaiah Moore's professional and personal pursuits.
Isaiah successfully combines his passion for education and community development with his work as a mentor, tutor, public speaker and community activist. As a member of the Emma and Joe Adams Scholars program, Isaiah supports the educational pursuits of youth in a variety of inner city neighborhoods in Atlanta. When not representing the Adams Scholars program, Isaiah may be found working as an AVID tutor for students at Conyers Middle School or as an intern with the Minority Leader of the Georgia Senate.
Isaiah's ultimate goal is to implement a comprehensive community development program called It's Your W.O.R.L.O.D (Withstanding Obstacles to Realize Life's Outstanding Desires) in the blighted areas of his hometown of Newport News, Virginia. It is Isaiah's hope that his passion for education, law and service will enhance the Pearson Student Advisory Board and that his experience will in turn help him impact the world.
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Austin MorrisAustin Morris
Indiana University • Bloomington, INEnglish / Communication & Culture | Junior
Austin is committed to excellence in his academic career, and at Indiana University he is proving that great effort yields great rewards. Austin is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the national honors fraternities Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma. He is also a member of IU's Hutton Honors College and maintains a strong GPA while continuing to be involved in numerous activities on- and off-campus, including two demanding jobs. As a Student Manager at the Indiana University Auditorium, Austin works to create a superior experience for patrons, raising the profile of the performing arts in south-central Indiana. He strives to improve his personal performance as well as to influence the performances of his coworkers. Austin also works as a popular culture columnist, blogger and podcast guest for the Indiana Daily Student newspaper.
Austin is excited to bring his creative mind and passion for learning to the challenges that await him as a member of the Pearson Student Advisory Board.
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Tia NguyenTia Nguyen
Ryerson University • Toronto, ONMarketing | Junior
Growing up in Toronto has allowed Tia to understand and appreciate diversity in all areas of her life — from her interests to her employment experiences to her future career.
After experimenting with entrepreneurship, Tia worked in Hong Kong for an international manufacturer and distributor of commercial products, where she offered advice and support to the marketing department in collaborating with multimillion-dollar global companies.
In the past year, Tia participated and won medals in various Marketing Competitions such as: Vision 2 Reality; Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition; and the Business Development Bank of Canada Competition. She used those challenges and achievements to make a difference for her fellow students by becoming a Peer Tutor. Her biggest accomplishment was being able to utilize the same dedication and ambition towards encouraging and assisting her students to strive for similar success.
As a recent honors graduate from Seneca College, Tia hopes to move forward with her studies at Ryerson University where she will continue to help make a difference in her community by contributing her voice.
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Amber ThichangthongAmber Thichangthong
Old Dominion University • Norfolk, VAEnglish | Junior
Amber Thichangthong is a member of the Honor's College and current President of the Asian Pacific American Student Union. A confident go-getter, Amber never accepts how things “should” be — she pushes past for what “could” be. She attributes her personal and professional development to the people she has met since enrolling at Old Dominion University (ODU).
In the two years Amber has been at ODU, she has served on the executive boards for three very different student organizations: the 2012 Class Council as Secretary, the Student Activities Council as the Special Events Chair, and the APASU as the Assistant Director of Education & Logistics and Vice President.
Having been an integral part of the 2012 Class Council, Amber was recognized as the Student Affairs' 2009 New Student Leader of the Year for her dedication to the organization. Amber considers leadership not so much a title as it is about the chance to inspire future leaders.
Amber is excited to jumpstart her journey with the Pearson Student Advisory Board to help develop projects that will actively engage students in the learning process.
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