High Point University

There’s no place like it.  In 5 years, enrollment at High Point has tripled and faculty doubled.  There are 28 new buildings. SAT scores are up up 100 points and the schools ranking are rising accross publications.  What happened?  Nido Qubein happened.  Having previously served as a board member, Nido Qubein became became President of the university and with him the school has been on a wild ride ever since.  Having been a successful entrepeneur,  Qubein has brought much of what he learned in the business world and adapted it to university life and High Point.  Not only has what Qubein done been revolutionary, it is also quite contraversial.  

Through his business savy,  Qubein has raised enormous sums of money and invested it directly into the school.  You will find it difficult to identify a more new and beautiful campus.  The landscaping is manicured.  The buildings are constructed with the finest materials (ex marble floors) and decorated beautifully.  Normally for my blogs I provide a photo of an iconic building.  But for this school I provided pictures of one of the libraries and one of the classes because you are unlikely to see these things anywhere else.  Qubein argues that if we desire to have our students get jobs in the most competitive markets and companies than we need to make sure they are comfortable in those environments and with that technology.

Qubein’s impact is not only felt through the physical structures and environment but permeates through the curriculum and culture of the school.  He is a strong personality with a strong presence.  He has decided where the school needs to invest and what it needs to accomplish.  The mission of the school has been redefined as giving “every student an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.” He also teaches the most popular course at the university, the Presidential Seminar, which is a required course for every student usually taken freshman year.  In this course, Qubein covers what he sees as the keys to success in life.  He addresses issues like work ethic, how one needs to present oneself 

Currently the school serves approximately 3500 students.  The freshman class 1300.  The goal is to continue growing but the plan is to stay small at around 5000.  Class size is also capped at 34 students. Average class size is 14 - 15. School starts in August and ends in April, allowing for May-mester, a unique third semester allowing students to take alternative classes or travel abroad for 2 1/2 weeks.  The school supports 50 majors and 43 minors.  There are 6 colleges within the university:

• David R Hayworth College of Arts & Science,
• School of Art & Design,
• Earl N. Phillips School of Business,
• Nido R Qubein School of Communication,
• School of Education, and
• School of Health Sciences

Some programs to note include game design, interior design & home furnishing, electronic media journalism.