Despitethefactthattheglobalhealthcarecrisishas
pushedtheworld'seconomiestothebrinkof recession,educationisaseverelyimpactedsector thatmustbeprioritizedjustbelowhealthcare.Becauseonly ahealthy(physicallystrong)andwise(mentallyrobust) generationwillbeabletoconfrontthefuture'suncertainty andturmoil,successfully
Similartoeveryotheraspectofourlife,educationisseeing oldnormsdisruptedandnoveltrendsbecoming commonplace.Thankstodigitalization,wecantrackback thederailedtrainoflostyearsinthepandemicwith personalized,home-based,virtuallearningifweinvestin thefundamentalinfrastructurenecessaryfortechnologically infused,immersive,andadvancedlearninginthe Metaverse.
Whatweneedisapolicythatisopen-minded,anadaptive attitude,atechnologicallyevolutionaryapproach,andnew perspectives.Wesawsomesemblanceofhoperestoredin thesedepressingscenariosthanksto The Most Inspiring Thought Leaders Transforming Education, 2022 These leadersareusingdigitalizationtoconnectthevariousfacets andstakeholdersofeducationandbringthemtogetherona singleplatforminordertotrulyimplementtheimplicit meaningofcollaborativeeducation.
Youwillfindallmesmerizing,enchanting,andthoughtprovokingstoriesofeducationalstalwartswhoare genuinelycompassionateaboutspreadingeducational
wisdomamongthepopulationbybridgingthedigital divide,easingaccess,andencouragingparents, policymakers,society,community,andstudentstobecome apartofthistransformationaldriveinthisexclusiveedition ofInsightsSuccess.
Readtheirincrediblestoriesonthefollowingpages,dive in,andenjoythejoy-read!
Dr.NidoQubein President
HighPointUniversity highpoint.edu
Dr.RichardWilliams President
HamishDay CEO
MohannadArbaji Founder&CEO
UtahTechUniversity utahtech.edu
Dr.NidoR.QubeinbecametheseventhpresidentofHighPoint UniversityinJanuary2005andhasimplementeddozensof strategicgrowthaccomplishments.
UtahTech'srichandstoriedhistory,Dr.Williamsiseagerand qualifiedtohelptheuniversitycarveoutitsniche.He recognizestheimportanceofmovingquicklywhendeciding whatprogramsandofferingstheinstitutionshouldfocuson, build,andadd.
CodeAvengers codeavengers.com
ChalkTalk chalktalk.com
MukulAgrawal Co-founderandCEO
SteveNavarre ChiefExecutiveOfficer andCo-founder
eTutorWorld etutorworld.com
ProjectEducation projecteducation.net
Hamishisbuildinglastingcapabilityforcareer-changers, educators,andyoungpeoplethroughCodeAvengers.
TheinnovationofMohannad,ChalkTalkistheonly personalizedlearningprogramthatcreatesstatestandardsalignedACTandSATcurriculumadaptedforeachclassand personalizedforeverystudent.
Mukulhasestablishedanexcitingventureinonlineeducation focusedontheUSmarketwithIndia-baseddelivery
Steveisaresults-orientedentrepreneurwithnearlytwodecades ofextensiveexperienceindevelopingcompaniesandmanaging business.
Dr. Nido Qubein President High Point University
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.
TheMostInspiringThoughtLeadersTransformingEducation,2022
Strikingthetoptierforinnovationincurriculum, faculty,students,campuslife,technology,and facilities,HighPointUniversityhasentirely transformedsince2005.Nowabustlingepicentreof cutting-edgeeducation,evengloballeaderslikethecofoundersofAppleComputerandNetflixareattractedto workwithHPUstudents.LocatedinthePiedmontTriad regionofNorthCarolina,theuniversityhasfamiliesfrom all50statesand50countriesflockingtoitscampus.HPU hasquicklyearnedanimpressivetrackrecordofpositive feedbackfromstudents,parents,andhighereducation leadersacrossthenation.Itfocusesoneveryindividual student,ensuringtheycanthriveintheworldbydeveloping lifeskillsandfosteringthevaluesofGod,family,and country ThecaringpeopleatHPUbelieveinandworkto equipthestudentswithagrowthmindset,ensuringtheir decision-makingisbasedonvalues.HPUhopestoinstilla positiveattitudeintostudentstocreatemaximumleadersof tomorrow
TheprimaryreasonwhytheenrollmentatHighPoint Universityhasquadrupledduringthelast17yearsisDr. NidoQubein,whobecametheuniversity'sseventh PresidentinJanuary2005.Heisthedrivingforcebehind thecampusexpandingfrom90to520acresandacademic schoolsgrowingfromthreeto11.Undertheguidanceof Dr.Qubein,HPUblossomedasaleaderinthecommunity withhiszeal,passion,andvisionforgrowth.Moregrowth isonthehorizonwithplansfornewacademicschoolsin dentalmedicine,nursing,law,optometryand entrepreneurship.
“You can't just lecture young people and hope they learn something,” arethewordsofDr.Qubein.Theuniversity hascreatedaunique,intentionalenvironmentthatinspires studentstowanttosucceed.Numerousartinstallations acrosscampusfurthercelebratethemessage: “Choose to be extraordinary.”Theuniversityhasaculturethatmustbe experiencedtobeunderstoodwithapositivevibeall around.Itfocusesontheopportunitiesforstudentsto transformtheirlivesandtheworld.Itteachesthestudents totakecalculatedrisks,workhard,giveback,andmakethe worldabetterplacetolivein.
Thisbeginswithinstillinginstudentsanentrepreneurial spiritandagrowthmindset.Entrepreneurialleadersare neededinphilanthropies,schools,andchurches.Havingan entrepreneurialmindsetisnotaboutmakingawidgetand sellingit.Instead,theuniversitypreparesstudentstobuild andrendervalueforclients,consumers,congregations,and everyskillthatrequiresanentrepreneurialattitude.AtHigh PointUniversity,entrepreneursandentrepreneurialleaders lovevisitingHPUtocoachandinspirethestudents.The dignitariesinHPU'sAccesstoInnovatorsPrograminclude theco-founderofAppleComputer,SteveWozniak,also HPU'sInnovatorinResidence.Netflixco-founderMarc RandolphservesastheEntrepreneurinResidence. Domino'sPizzaCEORussellWeineristheCorporate ExecutiveinResidence.TheSportsExecutiveinResidence isCyntMarshall,theCEOoftheDallasMavericks.And JohnMaxwell,arenownedleadershipexpert,isthe ExecutiveCoachinResidence.Inadditiontothestellar faculty,HPUsetsthestandardhighbybringingtheserealworldpractitionerstocampustomentorstudents.This createsarobustlearningenvironmentthatteaches students they,too,canachieveextraordinaryresults.
Fun
KnownasThePremierLifeSkillsUniversity,HPU providesanextraordinaryeducationframedwiththelife skillsthatoutlastandextendbeyondinevitable technologicalchanges.Thisincludestheabilityto communicatewellwithothers,tothriveinacompetitive environment,toadapt,andtonavigatecomplexsituations withoutbeingintimidatedbylife'sobstacles.
technologyalwayschanges,thesefacilitiesaresteepedin lifeskillslessons,too.That'swhyHPUishometotwofine diningrestaurantswithcellphone-freeenvironments,where studentspracticejobinterviewsoverdinnerandare exposedtoglobalcuisinefromdifferentcultures.
WhenHPUstudentsgraduate,theyarepreparedtorender valueintheglobalmarketplacewithtechnicalskills and lifeskills.Theyarereadytoadaptandchangealongwith technologyinordertothrivethroughouttheircareer.
WhenDr.Qubeinacceptedthepositionaspresidentin 2005,hedeclaredthatHPUisHighPoint'sUniversitywith anapostrophe“s”tothecitizens.Heheldapress conferenceandluncheonandtoldcommunityleadersthat HPUwouldnotthriveifthecitydidn'tsupportit,reminding thecity'sleadershipthatHPUhadthepotentialtoliftthe communityforabettertomorrow
HighPointUniversityhasbeenablessingforthecityfor thepast17years,leadingthedowntowntransformationby raisingfundstopurchaseaprofessionalbaseballteamand securingnamingrightsforthenewstadium,catalyzing continuousdevelopmentindowntownHighPoint.
Theuniversitydraws100,000+visitorsannuallyfromthe Statesandothernations,generating$765millioninannual economicimpact.Dr.Qubeinshares, “HPU must serve as a leader in our community. There's a scripture we have displayed in the grand lobby of the Hayworth Fine Arts Center. It's Luke 12:48 – To whom much is given, much is required. That perfectly defines our values regarding HPU's leadership and participation in the city of High Point.”
Dr.Qubeinbelievesthataleadermustdefineaclearvision, developasolidstrategy,executeconsistentlyandinterpret thevalue.Thesearethefundamentalsofeffective leadership.Hismanagementstyleisverysimple: “Inspect what you expect. I'm in university Facebook groups to see what our families are thinking. I want to add value for them, so I don't wait for my team to tell me.” Hecasually walksaroundthecampus,inspectsallfacilitiesfor cleanlinessandorder,andassessestheenergythecampus createstohelppropelstudentsforward.Heensuredthe teamputanoutdooricerinkoncampusduringthe pandemic.Hemeetsthefacultyandstafffrequentlytolearn moreabouttheirfocusareasandensurestheuniversity
appropriatelyallocatesresources.Aleadercan'tallocate resourceseffectivelywithoutaverticalanddiagonal understandingofeachbusinessunit.Dr.Qubeinistheforce behindtheplanningandexecutionofeveryuniversity projectandhasdonehisjobperfectlytodate.Whenan organizationhasaleadertolookuptoandinspire,allthe elementsoftheorganizationautomaticallyhaveanidol. That'spreciselywhatDr.Qubeinhasachieved.
Hestates, “Ultimately, I make myself available to students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community. I answer my e-mails – it's not delegated. If I'm going to make decisions about the institution's future, then I have to believe I've assessed the risks and understand the potential benefits of those decisions.”
Dr.Qubeinadvisestheyoungergenerationtobebraveand notbeafraidtotrysomethingnewwhiletakingacalculated risk.Earlyintheircareers,headvisesthemtojoinan organizationwheretheycanaddvalue.Hesays, “Today's culture isn't good at delayed gratification. We are sold on the idea that we can have it all, and we can have it now. It's not reality. There is no substitute for hard work, pushing through adversity, staying positive, committing to lifelong learning, and expressing your gratitude for those who help you along the way. These are the timeless life skills that create sustainable leadership. The good news is that these traits, skills, and behaviors are available to everyone.”
Whenmanyhighereducationinstitutions
nationwidearestagnant,oneuniversityhas experiencedexplosivegrowth.Sincebeing namedPresidentofUtahTechUniversity,Dr.Richard "Biff"Williamshasdoubledcampusfacilities,increased enrollmentbynearlyfiftypercent,added100+programs, goneDivision1inathleticsandupdatedthemission,name, andmascotoftheinstitution.
UnderRichard'sleadership,backedbyhisextensive experienceintheeducationindustryforthepast20+years, UtahTechUniversityprovideshands-onlearninginall disciplinesatoneofthelowestuniversitytuitioncostsin theUnitedStates.
InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Richardprovidesus withupcloseandpersonalexcerptsofhisjourneyinthe educationsectorandshareshowhe'sshapingthefutureby preparingUtahTechUniversitystudentsforlong-term success.
Below are the highlights of the interview: Brieflydescribeyourprofessionaljourneyupuntilnow.
Iwasdestinedtoworkintheeducationfieldandhave servedinthisarenathroughoutmycareer.Infact,myfirst joboutofcollegewasasacertifiedathletictrainerforEl PasoHighSchool,andIalsotaughtelementaryphysical educationtoK-4thgradestudentsatLamarElementary School.Thatjobtookmeoutofmyelement,butI absolutelylovedit.Itmademefallinlovewithteaching.
BeforejoiningUtahTechUniversityasthe18thPresident oftheinstitutionin2014,IservedasProvostandVice PresidentforAcademicAffairsandfoundingdeanofthe CollegeofNursing,Health,andHumanServicesatIndiana StateUniversity.BeforeIndianaState,Iservedasan associatedeanoftheCollegeofEducationattheUniversity ofNorthernIowa,whereIwasafacultymember,the AthleticTrainingdepartmentchair/programdirector,and
theexecutiveassociatedirectoroftheSchoolofHealth, PhysicalEducation,andLeisureServices.
Educationally,IearnedaBachelorofSciencedegreein LifestyleManagementfromWeberStateUniversity,a Master'sdegreeinAthleticTrainingfromIndianaState,and aPh.D.inCurriculumandInstructionfromNewMexico StateUniversity.
OnechallengeIencounteredinmycareerwaslearning patience.I'vealwayswantedthingstohappenovernight, butworkinginlarge,complexsystemswithmultiple considerations,I'velearnedthatprogresstakestime. Anotherchallengeisgettingintoanewpositionandnot feelingfullyprepared.Yougetpromoted,thinkyoucando thejob,andthenrealizeyoustillhavethingstolearn.A valuablethingIdiscoveredwhenIwasadeanisthatyou don'thavetoknoweverything.Youhavetohiretheright people.Ifyouhiregoodpeople,youcancapitalizeontheir expertiseandletthemdotheirjobeffectively Thiswasa challengeatfirst,butIfoundtherightpeopleandlearnedto letthemtaketheirjobandrunwithit.
Whatsignificantimpacthaveyoubroughttothe Educationindustry?
Ithinkthebiggestimpactwecanhaveontheeducation industryispreparingourstudentstosuccessfullymeet workforcedemands,whichessentiallyshapesthefuture.At UtahTechUniversity,wecreatehands-onlearningand careerpreparationopportunitiestohelpourstudents becomesuccessfulcontributorstotheworkforceassoonas theygraduate.
AtIndianaStateUniversity,asthefoundingdeanofthe CollegeofNursing,Health,andHumanServices,Ihadthe chancetobuildanewcollegefromscratchessentially.I waspartofateamthataddedover20healthcareprograms throughoutthisprocess.Initially,ourprimaryhealthcare
At Utah Tech University, we create hands-on learning and career preparation opportunities to help our students become successful contributors to the workforce as soon as they graduate.
programwasnursing,butweaddedseveralnecessary healthscienceprogramssuchasphysicaltherapy, occupationaltherapy,andotherprogramswithhuge workforcedemands.Thesocialimpactofthisgrowthwas profoundandwasaveryrewardingprocess.
AttheUniversityofNorthernIowa,Iwasabletostartan athletictrainingprogramthatbenefittedourcommunityas well.Wepartneredwithhighschools,offeredacceleration programs,broughtclinicstocampus,andmore.Through thisblendingofthepublicandprivatesectors,wecreated exponentialbenefitsforall.
Also,aspartofmyroleatUtahTech,Ihavehadthe opportunitytooverseesignificantgrowthand transformation.Wehaveaddedmorethan100academic programs,includingtheinstitution'sfirstgraduatedegrees. Wehavealsoseena47percentincreaseinstudent enrollmentandtheexpansionofthecampus'sphysical footprintbyaddingsixnewstructures,withtwomorein development.We'vealsotransitionedUtahTechAthleticsto DivisionIandevolvedtheinstitutionthrougharebrandof theUniversity'sathleticidentitytotheTrailblazersin2016 andtheinstitutionalnamechangetoUtahTechUniversity in2022.
TellusaboutUtahTechUniversityanditsfoundation pillar.
Sinceourinstitution'sinceptionin1911,we'vebuilta robustandlastingeducationalfoundationastheonly
universityinthefastest-growingcountyinUtah.Aspartof ourcurrentstrategicplan,TrailblazingDistinction,Utah TechUniversityhasdevelopedauniqueeducationalmodel centeredonthefourpillarsofOpen,Inclusive, Comprehensive,andPolytechnic.
Expoundingonthesepillars,UtahTechisanopen-access institutionthatpromotesinclusivitythroughpersonalized services,diverseteachingmethods,andaccesstoopen educationalresources.Wehavemorethan250programs acrossalldisciplines–humanities,arts,education,health sciences,business,andSTEM.Ourstudentslearnandgrow bothintheclassroomandonlinewhilegainingreal-world activelearningexperiencesthroughinternships, externships,clinicalexperiences,andundergraduate research.
DescribethevisionandmissionofUtahTechUniversity.
UtahTech'smissionistoserveasanopen,inclusive, comprehensivepolytechnicuniversityfeaturingactiveand appliedlearningtoadvancestudents'knowledgeandskills whilefosteringcompetent,resilient,lifelonglearnersto succeedintheircareersandpersonallivesascreators, innovators,andengagedcitizens.
UtahTech'svisionistobeapremieropen,inclusive, comprehensivepolytechnicuniversitydistinguished throughanethosofinnovationandentrepreneurshipandthe achievementofexceptionalstudentlearningandsuccess.
Whatisyourtakeontechnology'simportance,andhow areyouleveragingit?
Technologyisthefuture.Fromattendingmeetingsvirtually tohavingarobotvacuuminyourhome,technologyhas permeatedeveryaspectofourlives.Itisalsoavitalpartof highereducation,andweknowwehavetostaynimbleand keepupwithlimitlesstechnologicaladvancements emergingaroundtheglobe.
Asaninstitutionofhigherlearning,wehavetoprepareour studentstobeindispensableinourever-changing,techdrivenworld.Weknowit'simperativethatwehelpour studentsincorporatetechnologyintoeventhemostbasic tasksassociatedwiththeircareers.Wealsorecognizethatin anydegreeprogramweconsideradding,therewillbea technologicalaspecttoit.
Forexample,amodern-daypianoteachernotonlyteaches thedifferencebetweenamajorandminorchordandother componentsofmusictheory,buthemustalsousesocial mediaanddigitaladvertisingtomarkethimselfwhile navigatingnewapptechnologiesforschedulingand payment.Acontentwritercan'tjustputpentopaper anymore.Shealsohastoworkinthebackendofablogin ordertopresenthercontentandusethelatestonlinetrends tosharehermessaging.
AtUtahTech,weleveragetechnologybothonandoff campus.Classroominstructionmaximizestechnologyfrom onlinematerialstoremotelearningoptions.We'reeven currentlytestingtheeffectivenessoflearningthrough virtualreality,whichwillbroadenouraccessibilityand opportunitiesevenmore.
Outsideoftheclassroom,UtahTechstudentscanexpand theirtechnologyskillsthankstoournewpartnershipwith Pluralsight.Byteamingupwiththistechnologyworkforce developmentcompany,theUniversitycommunityhas unlimitedaccesstothousandsofonlinecourseson innovativetechnologytopicstohelpthemcompeteinan increasinglydigitalworld.
Whatwillbethenextsignificantchangeinthe Educationindustry,andhowareyoupreparingforit?
Asonlinelearningcontinuestogrow,universitiesneedto recognizetheimportanceofthesocialaspectsofthecollege experience.Weneedtopaymoreattentiontotheroleof studentactivitiesincollege,findwaystocultivate importantsocialinteractions,andhelpstudentsunderstand howthiscontributestotheirintellectualgrowth.
Also,withthenewfoundconnectivityoftheworldpostCOVID,wecanbroadenourreachfarbeyondourregion
andinteractinternationally.Forexample,UtahTechwillbe hostingthenextPolytechnicWorldSummit,bringing togetherleadersfrompolytechnicinstitutionsfromaround theglobetostrategize,sharebestpractices,andcontinueto beresponsivetoeconomictrends.
Withthegigeconomyandremoteworkoptionsgrowing, weneedtoadapttothesechangingworkenvironments. Giventhis,weareofferingmoreoptionsforourstudents, givingthemchancestoearndegreesandcertificatesto makethememployablethroughouttheireducational experiencesothateveryTrailblazercanfeelwell-equipped nomatterwhatstageintheirjourney.
AspartofUtahTech'scurrentstrategicplan,wecontinueto elevateourofferingsasanopen,inclusive,comprehensive polytechnicuniversity
Wearelocatedinthefastest-growingcityinAmericaand arecommittedtokeepingupwiththisgrowthasan institution.Byaddingdegreeprogramsincareerswithhigh demand,wecancontinuetopreparestudentstomeetthe needsoftheindustry Aspartofthis,Ihaveworkedclosely withtechnologyandindustryleaderstoformmutually beneficialpartnershipsthatinformcurriculumandprepare ourgraduatesforsuccess.
Wearealsointheplanningstageofdevelopingan InnovationDistrict,ahigh-impactlearningenvironment wherestudentscanpreparefortheircareers,andcompanies canfindnewtalent.Inthisdynamicspace,studentswill networkwithentrepreneurs,innovators,andbusiness leaderstogainexperienceandinvaluablementorship.
Whatadvicewouldyouliketogivethenextgeneration ofaspiringleaders?
Seizeeveryopportunitytolearn!Everyday,therearemore learningopportunitiesthantherehaveeverbeen,andour futureleaderswillhavetotakeadvantageofthis.The leadersoftomorrowwillhavetobeskilledinsocialmedia, crisismanagement,andtechnologyandconstantlybein tunewithwherethingsaremoving.Theywillhavetolearn tojugglealotofinformation,beabletoanalyzeit,andthen makeawell-informedplan.
Also,youreallycanmakeadifferenceandhavefunwhile doingso.
