HPU to Host Home Furnishings Leadership Institute in February

August 26, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

HPU resides in the Furniture Capital of the World in High Point, giving students hands-on experience through multiple opportunities within the home furnishings industry. HPU offers degrees that prepare students to succeed as they work in the multi-billion-dollar industry.

“High Point University is the premier life skills university,” says Dr. Nido Qubein, president, HPU. “This in part means helping students understand that successful individuals must live in a continuum of learning. This is why partnering with the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame is a natural fit.”

The Leadership Institute is the next step in recognizing and training emerging leaders following the endowed establishment of the Paul Broyhill Future Leader award.

“This is what we are all about: building on the legacy of our inducted Hall of Fame members by connecting them in classes with emerging leaders,” says Caroline Hipple, board president. “Each participant must be nominated, and 25 of those will be accepted into a challenging program that is faculty-led and education based on the practice of home furnishings. This institute will be peer learning at its best for a select few who would benefit from knowing one another and growing together from being managers to becoming stronger leaders.”

“When we first became familiar with the power and impact of the prestigious Harvard Business School Seminar for the Young President’s Organization and Chief Executives Organization – attended by many leaders in the industry – we recognized the need that our industry has for a high level of thinking and sharing of ideas gained through focused tutorial seminars,“ says Karen McNeill, CEO of the Hall of Fame. “This is for serious emerging leaders across the industry who aspire to C-suite positions. The question is not, ‘how will I make time for this, but rather how could I miss this opportunity for impact, growth and connection with others in our industry who want to be exposed to new ways of thinking and problem solving? There is no other program like this offered in our industry.”

The first group of the Leadership Institute will consist of 25 participants who will focus on the four pillars of leadership life skills as agents of change: vision, communication, execution and culture. Select faculty from the Phillips School of Business and the Nido R. Qubein School of Communications will lead a combination of lectures.

Participants who attend three institutes will receive a certificate and digital badge honoring and identifying each as a Home Furnishings Leadership Institute Fellow. Classes and discussion groups will meet on HPU’s campus and will utilize the new, state-of-the-art Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center, and the adjoining Jana and Ken Kahn Hotel on campus. It is expected to open in late September. Room and board are included with tuition.

Nominations will open on Sept. 7, 2021 and close on Oct. 31, 2021 for leaders working in the home furnishings industry.