Publications & Keynote Speaking

With his signature approachable, down-to-earth style, Dr. Steve Harvey shares his extensive research and expertise in the field of college success with students, parents, and educators through his books, peer-reviewed articles, and keynote presentations.

Publications

Unlocking the Code to College Success

By Steve Harvey, Ph.D., December 2023

Unlocking the Code to College Success provides valuable strategies for students to thrive in college and beyond. Students will learn from real life examples, takeaways, and action steps exactly what they need to do to succeed.

From the Author:

“For the past 30 years, I have taught, coached, and counseled thousands of high school and college students with every intention to change their lives. Too often, I met students who missed out on opportunities because they just didn't know. In fact, as a career counselor at the State University of New York, University at Buffalo, I counseled students who as seniors missed countless opportunities to improve their competitive edge and grow into professionals. Getting increasingly frustrated, I decided to write my first book, Beating the Odds: How the Select Few Earn a College Degree. After 4 renditions of the book, I launched MyCollegeMax.com, an online portal that has everything a student needs to prepare for college and then once in college to prepare for a career. However, it was missing something. It was missing the real-life examples that helped better explain why certain choices led to positive results. That's where the idea for this book was born.”

“In my 40 years of working with college students on three different campuses, one of the things I stress with them is, “No one is more interested in your career than you are.” Dr. Steve Harvey’s book explores many college success topics in a practical way that will help you on your life’s journey. His wisdom is informed by the voluminous number of students he worked with over his lifetime. Good luck as you explore what might define your future!

Dr. Richanne C. Mankey • President

Defiance College

“As a professor at the University at Buffalo's Medical School, I can confidently say that this book will set the stage for undergraduate students who want to pursue a medical or other professional degree. It is an easy-to-read book, full of practical insights, highlighting easily achievable goals that will help ensure a successful collegiate experience. Definitely a great resource for those who aspire to pursue higher education! It was fun to read, and I learned something myself”

Stanley Fernandez, MD, Ph.D. • Professor

Unlocking the Code to College Success

Purchase your copy today:

Other Books by Steve Harvey, Ph.D.

Dare to be Extraordinary: Leadership Strategies for Every Student

By Steve Harvey, Ph.D., Coming in Spring 2024

Leadership Strategies for Every Student guides students who are seeking to expand their leadership abilities to become effective leaders in their personal, educational, and professional lives.

Peer-Reviewed Articles

  • Untapped Capacity: How Every Student Can Achieve Extraordinary Things! (2012)

    College to Career: How 4 Years of College Can Determine 40 Years of Career (2001)

    Beating the Odds: How the Select Few Earn a College Degree (2000)

    The Quality Job Search Guide Made Quick and Easy (1999)

    Preparing for Success: The Best Way to Select a Major (1999)

  • Meeting the Career Development Needs of Students with Disabilities (Winter, 1999)

  • ‘Ready Set Read!’ Programs: Developing Effective Parenting Programs for Parents of Newborn and Young Children (2009, with Tomasello, N.)

  • Ready Set Parent! Evaluation of a Parenting Education Program in New York State (2011, with Tomasello, N. M., Kazi, M. J. F., Prabhu and Rittner, B.)

  • The Just for Teens Program: A Holistic Approach to Educating Teens (2010, with Tomasello, N.)

  • Overcoming Practical Obstacles to Meaningful Program Evaluation (Fall, 2007, with Wood, G.)

  • Building Your Child’s Success In School (2002)

  • Sending Your Child to College: How Can You Be Sure It’s Worth It? (2017)

    What Every Parent of a High School or Future High School Student Should Know About College (2015)

    The Value of College and the Velocity of Change Driving College Student Learning (2015)

    College 2 Career: How WNY Colleges are Preparing Students for Career Success (2014)

    Three Important Reasons to Attend a WNY College or University (2014)

    Western New York’s Higher Education (2013)

Keynote Speaking and Presentations

Invite Steve to speak at your event

Steve is a sought-after national and international keynote speaker known for his expertise in preparing students for success in college and career. His diverse public and private sector background gives him qualified expertise and a unique perspective. Steve specializes in talks for students, parents, and educators on a broad range of topics pertaining to the subject of college readiness and preparing students for career success, such as:

  • Understanding the difference between high school and college and what parents and students need to know.

  • Demystifying the college experience by telling students what to expect and how they can prepare for the transition.

  • How high school educators can help students prepare for college

  • International Leadership Association, Pacific Grove, California (2015)

    International Teaching & Learning Conference, Las Vegas (2007)

    Riding the Wave of Professionalism in Early Childhood Education, Singapore (2008)

  • Association of Consortium Leadership National Conference (2014)

    Towns and Gowns National Conference, Buffalo, New York

  • University at Buffalo, P-20 Education Speaker Series (2014)

    2013; Houghton College, Hilbert College, Daemen College, and Empire State College (2011 - 2014)

    Walking in the Footsteps of Giants speaker series at the University at Buffalo

“Steve has an incredible ability to take decades of experience and expertise working with high school and college students to offer a valuable, informative, engaging, and humorous speaking engagement for students, parents, and educators.”

— Gabriella Tringali • High School Counselor

Williamsville North High School