HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY: Preparing students to thrive in a changing world.

• Position: SPONSORED SECTION

From his office in Waco, Texas, John Marsicano draws from the lessons he learned as a student at High Point University: adapt, be quick, solve problems and bring value to the table. He does all of that as a public relations specialist at Magnolia, the famous home and lifestyle brand built by Chip and Joanna Gaines, who've become household names through their HGTV series "Fixer Upper."

Marsicano shares Magnolia's story with the world. As the brand continues to grow, so does the responsibility. High Point University prepared him to take it on. "In my opinion, holistic education is the true differentiator for High Point University," says the native of New York's Long Island and member of the Class of 2015. "And that's not something you just move on from after four years. Everything you work to achieve at HPU--the opportunities, the experiences, the work ethic --is forever embedded in your DNA. It serves as a foundation for continued growth."

INTENTIONAL CAMPUS CULTURE

Stroll across High Point University's campus, and you'll immediately notice the perfectly manicured landscape. There isn't a scrap of paper on the ground. Students smile, say hello and hold the door when you enter any of the buildings, whose lobbies resemble some of the world's most successful companies and organizations. Many are brand new. A banner hangs from one's facade. It reads: "Choose To Be Extraordinary." That message is conveyed by faculty and administrators to every HPU student, from freshmen to graduate studies. It isn't hyperbole. The campus believes this simple, yet profound, call to action.

While students study a variety of majors, High Point University makes sure they all leave with certain skills. HPU believes that students should enter the workforce with tools forged from experience and not merely memorized from textbooks. At least 25% of a student's education at HPU is experiential, which prepares them to enter their first job with confidence.

Nido Qubein is HPU's president. After arriving in the U.S. from the Middle East with $50 and no working knowledge of English, he attended Mount Olive College and graduated from High Point University with a bachelor's degree. He worked his way through each institution by being an entrepreneur. He hasn't lost those skills, using them to turn his contacts and fundraising experience into $325 million in gifts and pledges without a formal campaign. He has catapulted the university to several consecutive No. 1 rankings, and dozens of academic, experiential learning and student support initiatives have been launched under his tenure.

HPU has experienced explosive growth since Qubein's arrival in 2005. Enrollment has more than tripled along with the campus footprint, and there are 90 more buildings on campus, with more on the way. It has added five academic schools--Nido R. Qubein School of Communication, Congdon School of Health Sciences, School of Art and Design, Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy and a new Undergraduate Sciences School. There are new masters and doctoral programs and heavy investments in state-of-the-art technology and faculty experts for all its schools.

HPU's growth is being noticed. U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" named it the No. 1 Regional College in the South in 2018, the sixth consecutive year it earned the title. The publication also recognized it as the No. 1 Most Innovative Regional College in the South for improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities. In addition, the Princeton Review selected HPU for the 2018 edition of "The Best 382 Colleges" in the nation, as well as Best Career Services (No. 19), Best-Run Colleges (No. 20), Best College Dorm...