Hall of Fame Speaker Marilyn Sherman Mentors HPU Students

HIGH POINT, N.C., Nov. 20, 2023 – Hall of Fame speaker Marilyn Sherman, High Point University’s Personal Development Expert in Residence, recently returned to campus to mentor students and provide career advice.

Sherman has more than 25 years of experience in keynote speaking and is the author of four motivational books, including “Front-Row Service,” “Is There a Hole in Your Bucket List?” and “Why Settle for the Balcony? How to Get a Front Row Seat in Life.”

During her time on campus, Sherman spoke to freshmen at a session of the President’s Seminar on Life Skills, conducted a career coaching session, shared lunch with students and met with Greek life leaders. She also joined Dee Ann Turner, HPU’s Talent Acquisition Expert in Residence and former Chick-fil-A vice president for talent, in a panel discussion as part of the Strickland Women’s L.I.F.T. Fellowship Program.

“We want to make sure that here in the Premier Life Skills University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people,” said HPU President Nido Qubein. “Marilyn Sherman lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, and she presents all over this country to companies and organizations and universities. From border to border and coast to coast, Marilyn talks about the seat of success—where you choose to sit in a room that is cluttered, busy, competitive and global. How do you make sure that you have the right seat?”

Sherman advised students to change their mindset and step out of their comfort zone to choose the best seat rather than settle for the balcony, an obstructed view or a seat behind the crowd.

“There’s no judgment as to what your front row is,” said Sherman. “You get to visualize what is your ideal front-row seat because then your brain is going to help you get to where you need to go to get to that seat, so start with the foundation of knowing what you want.”

Sherman used the SEAT acronym to present the following strategies for success in school, friendships, relationships, faith and health:

• S – See the outcome you desire in your vision for yourself.
• E – Keep your energy focused on your most productive times of day while reducing stress by saying yes to less.
• A – Adopt positive attitudes.
• T – Maintain tenacity to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

Goals should not be limited by what others say is realistic, Sherman said. She urged students to envision an outrageous goal and be specific about how it will look. After setting that goal, write it down and tell others to make it more believable, she said.

Sherman encouraged students to be curious enough to ask questions rather than pass judgment on other people. She related her experience of sitting next to an older man before learning he had been an intern in the emergency room when former President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

Sherman also related the story of a woman who assumed an ex-NBA player she saw serving at a fast-food restaurant had squandered his fortune and called a radio talk show to criticize. The radio show host recognized the former player as Junior Bridgeman, who owns hundreds of restaurants and helps his new staff.

“There will be times in life when we don’t choose who we sit next to,” said Sherman. “Instead of making up a story about who they are, why not be curious? That will serve you if you ask questions of people because the world right now needs connection.”

HPU has a full lineup of global leader visits throughout the academic year. You can read more about the Access to Innovators Program and past innovators here.