HPU Welcomes Dr. Willie Jolley as Personal Development Expert in Residence
HIGH POINT, N.C., March 15, 2022 – High Point University is adding another global leader to the growing list in its Access to Innovators Program. Dr. Willie Jolley will join HPU as the Personal Development Expert in Residence. He is a Hall of Fame speaker, an award-winning singer, a bestselling author and a popular national radio and television personality.
Jolley is most notably recognized for his popular media programs, including his #1 Rated Sirius XM Show and daily nationally syndicated radio program, “Wake Up & Win with Dr. Willie Jolley,” as well as his TV special, “Turning Setbacks into Comebacks!”
Dr. Jolley was named “Motivational & Inspirational Speaker of the Year” and “One of the Outstanding Five Speakers in the World”, by the 175,000 members of Toastmasters International in the same year that HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein received that honor.
“HPU is excited to welcome world-renowned speaker Dr. Willie Jolley to our highly prestigious group of global leaders who are mentoring our students,” says HPU President Dr. Nido Qubein. “His decades of experience and talent for motivating and empowering thousands of people make him a wonderful role model for students.”
HPU’s Access to Innovators Program connects students with global leaders for networking and mentorship opportunities. Jolley joins Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, HPU’s Innovator in Residence; Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph, HPU’s Entrepreneur in Residence; Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall, HPU’s Sports Executive in Residence; Domino’s CEO Russell Weiner, HPU’s Corporate Executive in Residence; Former U.S. Ambassador and FCC Chairman William “Bill” Kennard, HPU’s Global Leader in Residence; ABC News’ “Nightline” Anchor Byron Pitts, HPU’s Journalist in Residence; American Actor, Producer and Television Presenter Dean Cain, HPU’s Actor in Residence; and many others.
Jolley started his speaking career as a drug prevention coordinator for the Washington, D.C. Public School System. He then went on to speak to millions of young people around the world. He starred in and produced the first PBS Special for teens titled, “Dare to Dream, Dare to Win,” which has become the No.1 selling youth video in the U.S. After this, he started receiving speaking requests from other industries and started speaking to colleges, associations and corporations. He became the featured speaker for The Moneywise National Tour in 2012 and in 2014. He was also chosen to replace the legendary Zig Ziglar on the National Get Motivated Tour. On that tour, he joined world-renowned speakers such as Les Brown, Shark Tank star Daymond John and sales guru Tom Hopkins.
He uses his public platform to pursue his mission of empowering and encouraging people to rise above their circumstances and maximize their God-given potential.
“I am honored to be asked to be a Personal Development Expert in Residence for High Point University,” says Jolley. “I am looking forward to visiting the amazing HPU campus again and getting an opportunity to spend time with the students and staff. I am also looking forward to seeing my dear friends, Dr. and Mrs. Nido Qubein! It is a blessing to be asked to serve, share and be included in this incredible HPU family!”
Jolley is a trailblazer as the first Black President of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the National Speakers Association (NSA) and the first Black chairman of The Speaker Hall of Fame Leadership Committee when he held that position.
He has achieved several distinctions throughout his career, including the Certified Speaker Professional (CSP) designation by the National Speakers Association, a recipient of the Ron Brown Distinguished Leadership Award in 2012 and being named One of the Top 5 Leadership Speakers by Speaking.com in 2013. Most recently, he was named a Legend of The Speaking Industry by the Veterans Speakers Association in 2018.
Jolley earned a doctorate degree in faith-driven achievement from the California Graduate School of Theology, a master’s degree in theology from Wesley Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from American University.