High Point University
The Premier Life Skills University
HPU’s Position as The Premier Life Skills University Began 20 Years Ago
High Point University’s focus on Life Skills Began in 2005 with the arrival of HPU President Qubein. Twenty years later, we are nationally recognized as the premier life skills university and the pioneer of life skills education. In fact, over 200 colleges and universities have visited HPU to learn from President Qubein and discover how he transformed HPU into a university that families across the country desire and appreciate.
Leading With Life Skills
A Message from High Point University President Qubein to Executives, Entrepreneurs and Aspiring Leaders
Dear HPU Friend:
A father recently told me: “I wish I had been educated in an environment where people believed in me. You promote hard work, perseverance and the entrepreneurial spirit. You tell these young people to get up and try again. Do you know how long it took me to learn that?” As a parent of four children, I understood viscerally what this father meant. And yes, I am proud of how High Point University has transformed into an institution of higher learning and higher living.
His point is that we instill “life skills” in our students. The business world sometimes calls them “soft skills,” but they are what employers seek in new hires and what this parent was talking about.
A college education should not only focus on the attainment of a diploma. An extraordinary, holistic education should be about professional development and personal transformation, too.
We live in a “figure it out” world. If you own a business, lead people or work in a team environment, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Yet, the marketplace commonly views recent college graduates as poorly prepared and out of touch. Modern commerce demands employees and leaders who are equipped to “figure it out” by connecting the dots of theories, business plans and certainly people.
At High Point University, we don’t focus on the “product” — the diploma. We focus on the product of the product — a life filled with meaningful success and framed with purposeful significance.
Look at the world around us.
The old rules and ways of relating to one another have changed dramatically, and you’ll find examples as close as the nearest computer screen. Amazon, the world’s larges retailer today, isn’t built on brick-and-mortar storefronts. Uber, the largest taxi service, owns no vehicles. Airbnb, the largest hotelier, owns no real estate. What these companies own is the trust of their clients. Their value lies in the process, not only in the product.
Students need context in life if they are to thrive as they exit the hallowed halls of the academy and enter the vast global economy. Communication skills, relational capital and an attitude of adaptability will take them far in life. Couple that with a solid understanding of their core discipline, and you have a person ready to think entrepreneurially and add value to any organization. HPU students are prepared for the world as it is going to be, not merely the way it is today.
I ask our students, “What good is it to be an expert in an academic subject if you aren’t able to connect and communicate with others who may not share your same knowledge base?” In other words, success comes from much more than acquired knowledge. Sustainable success comes from owning a strong work ethic, a growth mindset, the ability to connect with others, collaborate and build bridges of understanding. At HPU, we refer to these characteristics as life skills.
Research suggests that, on average, college graduates may have dozens of positions over the span of their career. That’s not due to any fault of their own or perhaps even their choice. It’s because the pace of change is so fast that many of the jobs available today may soon be irrelevant or even obsolete. This means it’s more important than ever to acquire life skills. They are the key to adapting in the rapidly changing marketplace.
Even Google, a company that attracts some of the most brilliant, analytical minds in the world, recognizes that life skills are the most valuable traits of their workforce (Google’s Top Characteristics of Success — 2013).
HPU understands this with clarity.
Our institutional growth has blossomed because students and parents value our approach to educating the future leaders of our world. And that approach is grounded in the understanding that parents spent a lifetime propelling their child forward. They want the college their student attends to continue their efforts. We aren’t merely educating here. We are taking this transformational journey together.
I invite you to come see it for yourself.
Sincerely,
Nido R. Qubein
President
nqubein@highpoint.edu
Life Skills (n):
Capabilities that outlast and extend beyond technical skills, but allow one to communicate, build relationships, continually grow and thrive in competitive environments. Adaptation amidst rapid change. Understanding that to work harder, one must work smarter. Accepting failure as the price for learning and developing a growth mindset. Navigating complex situations without being intimidated by life’s obstacles.
What Employers Want In New Hires
National Rankings that Recognize HPU’s Position as
The Premier Life Skills University
Bosses are firing Gen Z workers in record time
“Companies are axing Gen Z workers just months after hiring them fresh from college, a new report has found. Six in ten employers had already fired some college graduates they had recruited earlier in the year, a survey conducted by Intelligent.com found. One in seven the employers said they also might not hire fresh college grads next year after finding a raft of problems with young workers.
Business leaders listed concerns in areas such as communications skills and professionalism that made them wary of hiring Gen Z. They also said the workers of that age are often unmotivated and need to be constantly told what to do – rather than using their initiative – is another issue.”
Gen Z Needs To Ramp Up This One Skill To Have A Better Career Or Entrepreneurial Life
“Research shows that Gen Z employees are stepping into the workforce with big gaps in key business skills, especially when it comes to communication. Growing up with digital tools has impacted their ability to engage in effective verbal and written communication. Experts say that soft skills like communication and public speaking—which are harder to develop in a remote learning environment—are holding Gen Z back.
Managers are finding that Gen Z’s lack of strong interpersonal skills can make them more difficult to work with compared to other generations. Gen Z can enhance their professional interactions and increase their career opportunities by focusing on developing communication, active listening, and networking skills.”
Managers’ latest complaints about Gen Z: They lack soft skills and have unrealistic workplace expectations
“Managers are increasingly concerned about Gen Z’s soft skills and workplace expectations. According to a survey of 1,200 knowledge workers, 82% of managers think Gen Z needs extensive training in essential soft skills, like handling feedback and interacting with senior staff.
Gen Z employees admit they’re falling short, mainly due to limited real-world experience from remote learning and internships during the pandemic. As workplaces emphasize emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, especially with the rise of AI, Gen Z feels unprepared and hesitant to seek help. They think having mentors and more in-person interaction could help close these gaps.”
Gen Z’s Painful Etiquette Gap And How To Bridge It
“A recent study highlights major concerns about Gen Z’s etiquette and professional behavior. As Gen Z becomes a larger part of the workforce, 31% of managers prefer older candidates, and 30% have fired Gen Z employees within a month due to issues like poor communication and inappropriate dress.
The study by ResumeBuilder finds that Gen Z often struggles with basic workplace etiquette, such as making eye contact and dressing appropriately for interviews. To address these problems, companies should leverage Gen Z’s eagerness for lifelong learning and focus on comprehensive mentoring and training programs.”
Many college grads struggle to land jobs due to a lack of preparedness, study finds
“Recent research shows that many recent college grads, especially Gen Z, are having trouble with business etiquette and job readiness. A survey of 800 hiring managers found that Gen Z candidates often struggle with basics like eye contact, camera etiquette, and dressing right for interviews. Because of this, 39% of employers prefer older candidates and are offering more hybrid or remote roles to attract them.
The COVID-19 pandemic and gaps in education are big factors here. Many critics, including recent grads, argue that colleges need to provide better training in practical life skills, including interviewing and professional behavior.”
2024 Graduates Lack Skills In Communication, Collaboration And Critical Thinking, Study Finds:
“A study reveals that 2024 graduates are falling short in key areas such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, adaptability and embracing new ideas.
As AI transforms job roles, companies are increasingly focusing on skill-based hiring. Despite this shift, many graduates still lack essential soft skills. Experts suggest that companies need to reassess success criteria, implement objective recruitment assessments, invest in skill development, and conduct regular performance evaluations to address these gaps.
For Gen Z to thrive in the modern workplace, they need to enhance their communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills while adapting to evolving job demands.”
84% Of Workforce Insists Job Candidates Must Demonstrate Soft Skills, New Study Finds:
“As technology advances, employers are placing greater emphasis on communication, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in addition to technical skills. A study of 1,015 U.S. employees found that 84% believe new hires must demonstrate soft skills, rising to 90% in larger companies. 71% of employees think soft skills will become even more important in the future.
As remote and hybrid work environments become more common, effective collaboration and interpersonal dynamics are vital. Organizations are responding by investing in training programs, recognizing their importance for achieving long-term business goals.
As the workplace evolves, prioritizing soft skills is essential for both employees and employers to thrive in the modern job market.”
Bridging the Life Skills Divide
Employers consistently report that new hires don’t work out due to a lack of coachability and adaptability skills rather than technical competence. HPU conducted a national survey of 500 executives who represent companies with 5,000 to 25,000 employees to gain insight on why new hires fail or succeed. HPU faculty listen to the demands of the marketplace and prepare students to excel in the areas that matter most. HPU conducted two national surveys of executives who represent companies with 2,500 to 25,000 employees, with some data illustrated below. To see full data and methodology, visit “College Graduates Need Life Skills, According to a National Executive Poll Conducted by HPU” and “HPU C-Suite Poll: Life Skills Get You Hired and Promoted.”
Driving Motivation
Our call to action is Choose to Be Extraordinary. From the moment they arrive until they graduate, and even after as alumni, they learn that is a choice they can make every day for themselves.
A Campus That Fosters Excellence
People rise to the level of the environment in which they live. Whether students are in class, a residence hall or one of the library learning common spaces throughout campus, students are constantly surrounded by excellence. HPU’s entire campus is a holistic learning environment that complements classroom learning and prepares students to thrive. Here’s a glimpse:
A 520-Acre Classroom
People rise to the level of their environment. HPU’s campus is intentionally designed to motivate, inspire and uplift students. As merely a few examples, academic facilities represent the environment of Fortune 500 companies where they’ll someday work, and fine dining facilities teach students to be prepared for job interviews or client meeting during lunches and dinners. The International Promenade is also filled with dozens of sculptures of history’s noblest leaders, from Benjamin Franklin and Amelia Earhart, to Marie Skłodowska-Curie and George Washington Carver. Their presence reminds students that they, too, can accomplish great things and change the world.
HPU’s Fine Dining Restaurants
While some universities provide an etiquette class during a student’s senior year, HPU provides students with four years of career preparation inside fine-dining restaurants and learning laboratories. With three options to choose from, students practice their interview skills weekly over complimentary dinner beginning their freshman year. In addition, they’re exposed to a wide variety of cultural cuisines and traditions. When HPU graduates enter the workforce, they not only know how to ace the interview, but they’re also comfortable in a business setting. This prepares them for a lifetime of success.
“Through the training in professional dining at 1924 PRIME and Alo, I learned the proper skills and etiquette to shine as a candidate and feel prepared to have an interview over a meal.”
Tyler Thomas, ‘22, Corporate Analyst Development Program at JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Take “The Campus Tour”
High Point University was featured in season 11 on the award-winning, Prime Video TV series, The College Tour. Check out the full episode and see for yourself why HPU is so extraordinary.
"Your outlook upon life, estimate of yourself and estimate of your value are largely colored by your environment. Your whole career will be modified, shaped and molded by your surroundings and the character of the people with whom you come into contact every day.”
An Emphasis on Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to control and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.
In the working world, employers rank a lack of emotional intelligence as the second highest reason new hires fail. The HPU experience addresses the need for students to be able to properly express their thoughts and feelings while simultaneously adjusting to the thoughts and feelings of others on their team.
It begins as in the President’s First-Year Seminar on Life Skills, a required course for all freshmen. The course is taught by HPU President Nido Qubein, a serial entrepreneur, business leadership consultant and author. Students learn about relational capital, the art and science of persuasion, communication skills and more life skills that help ensure students grow their emotional intelligence and chart a path for success.
Learning From A Life Skills Leader
Here are just a few life skills students build during the course:
Developing an Attitude of Excellence:
A positive outlook can give students the ability to face any obstacle that stands in their way. By believing in oneself and learning to see opportunities, you can overcome the most disappointing and discouraging situations.
Presenting Like a Pro:
Through effective communication, we exchange information and ideas with other people, integrate our lives into the human race and bring the things we want to happen to reality. Communicating effectively is the “master key” to success. In this course, students learn how to get their point across and listen to the points of others.
Defining Your Life Goals:
Most of the things that make life worth living require careful introspection, sufficient time to develop and plenty of hard work. Students learn that setting goals and consistently working toward them is how success can be achieved.
Time Management:
Time is your greatest treasure. If you don’t make a constant decision to invest it in the pursuit of your goals and objectives, you are throwing it away. Students learn practical techniques for analyzing your time habits, keeping daily and weekly to-do lists, getting organized and, yes, making time for leisure, friendship and spiritual growth.
Communicating Like a Leader:
Leaders are made, not born. No matter their major, every student benefits from knowing how to persuade, influence and negotiate with others.
Financial Wisdom:
A mini-crash course in economics: learn how to manage your own money for long-term prosperity. Know how to save, invest, avoid bad debt and otherwise make sound financial decisions.
Health and Wellness:
Think about it: what is more central to quality of life than quality of health? There’s no point in having a brilliant, purposeful career if you aren’t well enough to enjoy it.
Straight From the Students
Gabriella Costa, Class of 2023
Paralegal at Wicker Smith O’Hara McCoy & Ford P.A.
“My most impactful experience at HPU was taking President Nido Qubein’s First Year Seminar on Life Skills. Knowing that the president of my university takes the time to build that bond and connection with the freshman class is what makes HPU what it is today. I will always cherish that class and can proudly say that it made a positive mark on me.”
Ryan Geary, Class of 2014
Product Coordinator at Lug
“The President’s Seminar with Dr. Nido Qubein prepared me with more knowledge about my future career and professional relationships than I could ever hope for. It enforced the ideals set forth by both Dr. Qubein and this inspiring university.”
Elizabeth Reichart, Class of 2017
Senior Energy Policy Specialist at Washington State Department of Commerce
“The president wants us to find meaning in our own lives and the lives of others. I left his seminar each week feeling like I could conquer the world with the lessons I learned and the tools President Qubein gave me to share those lessons.”
Service
Gaining Skills By Giving Back
Understanding the value of service and giving back is an essential part of building emotional intelligence. The ability to connect with others both similar and different from yourself makes one a good team player or, better yet, team leader. One of the primary ways HPU students establish their emotional intelligence is through giving back on a local and national scale.
Students in the Stout School of Education host holiday dances for community members with special needs, join hands with local partners for service projects during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, and honor veterans by showing gratitude and working together to uplift their neighbors.
Together, HPU students contribute nearly 500,000 hours of service each year, making an impact on more than 60 local agencies.
Service is also woven into the academic experience at HPU. The university’s Service Learning Program blends classroom theory with the practicalities of good citizenship, community-based research, and active problem-solving. It’s an initiative that inspires creativity, social innovation, and a growth mindset.
Community Organizations Where HPU Students Volunteer
Coaches Who Care
Employers want new hires who are coachable, and a lack of coachability has been noted as the number one reason new hires fail. If you want to be coachable, you have to practice being coached.
From success coaches and career advisors, to faculty advisors, peer mentors and even global leaders, which have their own professional coaches, there is no shortage of opportunities for constructive feedback.
No one in life gets far without the help of others. HPU understands this. That’s why the university has forged a culture where students are surrounded by coaches who care.
Success Coaches
Your personal Success Coach is your guide through your transitional journey into college life. They will help you identify the best major for you, construct a path to achieve your goals and lend academic support when needed. Here’s a glimpse at the other important roles your Success Coach will play throughout your freshman year at HPU.
Project Discovery
Did you know? Nationally, an estimated 50% of students enter college undecided on their major. In addition, an estimated 75% of students change their major at least once before graduating. That’s okay! HPU’s Project Discovery provides the guidance and resources that students need to discover their passion and achieve their goals.
Office of Career and Professional Development
HPU’s Office of Career & Professional Development is here to support students at every stage of their professional journey. Whether exploring potential majors, planning your career path, considering graduate school, building the perfect résumé, or gearing up for that big interview, their office is ready to offer guidance. They also offer a fun and practical video series called "How to Land That Job," filled with quick, actionable tips to help students boost their professional success.
Informational Interviewing
It’s not a job interview but instead an exchange between a professional and an HPU student, where the student asks questions about the professional’s career path and seeks advice about the most effective strategies for entering the field. Students are able to relate the professional’s experience to today’s job market and use the professional’s feedback for their own benefit.
Career and Internship Expo
At the start of each semester, students are invited to connect with national and international employers during the Career and Internship Expo. With resumes in hand, students network with hiring managers and industry professionals looking to fill full-time and internship positions. Many students leave the event with interviews secured for the coming days.
HPU in the City
HPU students benefit from career connections and professional development opportunities across the country. During fall and spring breaks, HPU in the City takes students to New York City and Washington, D.C., for a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work for major organizations such as Bloomberg, Google and the United Nations. Whether you’re interested in government, communication, sports media, business, fashion or more — HPU in the City offers students experiences to network with professionals and learn more about their industry of interest.
Access to Innovators
One of the most unique and impactful components of HPU’s transformational coaching process is the access to innovators the university intentionally provides to students. HPU knows that connecting students with people who have changed the world unlocks their ability to believe in themselves and accomplish goals they once didn’t know were possible.
When students meet accomplished leaders, like Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence, they receive valuable coaching and insightful feedback from trailblazers that impacts their development as a person.
Academic Excellence and Innovation
As The Premier Life Skills University, HPU is committed to staying ahead of the curve by providing cutting-edge technology and constantly evolving learning spaces. But at HPU, it’s not just about the tech—it's about preparing students to thrive in a fast-changing world. That’s why these facilities are infused with life skills lessons, ensuring students are equipped to adapt to new technologies and face any challenges their careers may bring. HPU's mission is to prepare students not just for the world as it is, but for the world as it’s going to be.
“Almost every current business is being partially driven by some form of technology. As modern businesses become increasingly reliant on up-to-the-minute technology to enhance their competitive edge, CEOs must be able to — at the very least — have a working knowledge of the technology on which their companies so heavily rely.”
The New York Times
Simulation Laboratories
Theories and concepts students learn in the classroom come to life in a variety of simulation laboratories, where they’re prepared to practice before they begin their off-campus clinical rotations. There are more than a dozen spaces that simulate real-world experiences, including pharmacy retail and community settings, a hospital room, a retirement community, and two clinical case management offices. Eight exam rooms also mimic a primary care practice operation room, emergency room, a labor and delivery room, and adult and pediatric rooms, which house high-fidelity mannequins that bleed, sweat, cry, experience side effects from medications and, in essence, mimic real patients students will someday treat.
Human Biomechanics and Physiology Lab
Theories and concepts students learn in the classroom come to life in a variety of simulation laboratories, where they’re prepared to practice before they begin their off-campus clinical rotations. There are more than a dozen spaces that simulate real-world experiences, including pharmacy retail and community settings, a hospital room, a retirement community, and two clinical case management offices. Eight exam rooms also mimic a primary care practice operation room, emergency room, a labor and delivery room, and adult and pediatric rooms, which house high-fidelity mannequins that bleed, sweat, cry, experience side effects from medications and, in essence, mimic real patients students will someday treat.
HPU+ Video Collection Focused on Personal and Professional Development Coaching
HPU has created one of the (if not the) largest video collection of life skills preparedness materials owned by any university. Series include How to Land that Job, 3-Minute Master Classes with HPU President Nido Qubein, Life Skills Seminars led by global leaders who hail from Google, Apple, Netflix, Morgan Stanley and other international and national companies, and much more.
Instilling the Growth Mindset
HPU knows the truth about students’ potential. Students with growth mindsets become better prepared for the world as it’s going to be. They’re knowledge seekers. They work hard, they fail, they learn from their mistakes and, thus, they grow.
That’s a big deal in a world that changes rapidly. And at HPU, this big-deal concept is even bigger. HPU initiated a multifaceted Quality Enhancement Plan to apply growth mindset techniques that encourage students to stretch themselves intellectually —and stick to it, even when it’s tough. No other college or university nationwide has infused this philosophy into everything it does.
Students are benefiting from that.
Experience Fuels Innovation and Growth
HPU knows that in order to master classroom concepts, students must apply them to real-world context. That’s why approximately 25% of every class at HPU is experiential in nature, from state-of-the-art labs and service-learning opportunities to the chance to connect with industry leaders. These experiences help students learn to collaborate with people from all walks of life, while also learning to embrace failure as an opportunity to grow.
Entrepreneurs Thrive at HPU
HPU’s Annual Business Plan Competition gives students the chance to earn start-up funds by pitching their products and ideas to business leaders. The competition and HPU’s support for the entrepreneurial spirit also led students to even more opportunities. As a few examples: HPU student entrepreneurs have shared their journeys in building businesses on Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph’s “That Will Never Work” podcast, and they were invited to participate in the Global Entrepreneurship Initiative in New York City.
Top Professionals Recruit HPU Students
Students regularly meet and network with employers on campus. As one example, the HPU Sales Career Fair is held every spring and brings top sales companies to HPU. The three-day event empowers students to build lasting relationships with industry professionals and practice their interviewing skills. Additional campus-wide Career Expos and niche career fairs for specific majors also bring employers directly to campus.
"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward.”
Vernon Law, Former MLB Player
*500 C-Suite executives with 5,000 employees surveyed by the High Point University Survey Research Center for the Executive C-Suite Poll on College Graduates in the Workforce.
Paul Clark, ‘20 Senior Operations and Logistics Coordinator, RSM
“Thanks to the resources and the way HPU prepares students with life skills, I felt so far ahead of my friends at other schools. All of the things I accomplished at HPU, from class projects to internships and leadership opportunities, gave me great talking points for my interviews and resume.”
Mikaela Campbell, ‘18 Associate Manager, Global Partnerships & Media, NBA
“When I interned with organizations like USA Track and Field, Under Armour and IMG College, I was up against a field of qualified candidates from large universities. What set me apart was the real-world experience I received at HPU and the attitude they instilled within me to never be afraid of a challenge.”
Madison Ryan, ‘21 Senior Guest Relations Coordinator for Mercedes-Benz Stadium
“My HPU experience taught me how important life skills are in every aspect of life, from Dr. Qubein’s First-Year Seminar to working with the Office of Career and Professional Development. All of my professors really pushed me to be my best self.”
Dr. Richard Byrd, ‘16 D.D.S., Orthodontist Orthodontic (Craniofacial) Fellow at University of Utah Health
“HPU has most importantly taught me that perseverance and hard work are essential for success even when obstacles come your way.”
Jimmy Rager, ‘16 Immunogenetic Technologist Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
“High Point University was amazing in helping me achieve my goals. From the very beginning, I had support in the classroom and that really solidified what I wanted to do in life.”
Grace Crockett, ‘21 & ‘22 Technology Consultant Ernst & Young
“Critical thinking, handling criticism, kindness and compassion are life skills modeled on HPU’s campus and ones that prepared me for long-term success. These skills led me to success in internships, professional roles and my personal life.”
Preparing Students for the
World as It’s Going To Be
High Point University graduates have found success in industries and organizations across the globe. See what just a few success stories have to say about how The Premier Life Skills University helped them get to where they are.