Alvernia University has partnered with Jay Sidhu, Customers Bancorp Inc. executive chairman, to create a new summer program for students with family members in the Young Presidents’ Organization.
The Never Ever Ever Give Up Global Leadership Boot Camp is an immersive two-week summer experience that will bring a cohort of students from around the world to Alvernia’s Reading campus, Alvernia said in a press release.
The program is designed for the children of members of the Young Presidents’ Organization, an organization that describes itself as a “global leadership community of chief executives driven by the belief that the world needs better leaders.”
Members of the YPO must be under 45 years of age and serve in an executive role at a company with over 50 employees or 15 employees and a minimum annual employee compensation of $2.5 million.
The organization has over 38,000 members across 150 countries.
The program, launching in June, aims to offer a leadership experience shaped by entrepreneurs and executives, including daily engagement with Sidhu and YPO champions, many from the organization’s Pennsylvania Chapter, according to Alvernia.
In 2023, Sidhu’s Wall Street Journal and Amazon Best Seller “Never Ever Ever Give Up” debuted.
Sidhu launched a corresponding speaking tour with the goal of impacting at least 5,000 lives.
He has spoken to K-12 school students, university students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, and YPO members in over a dozen nations and across the country.
“This is about giving young people an experience that changes how they see themselves and what they believe is possible,” said Sidhu. “When teens learn to lead with resilience, conscience and compassion, and then apply those lessons in the places where public policy, finance and opportunity intersect, they don’t just build confidence. They build a foundation for a meaningful life of impact.”
Alvernia University has partnered with Jay Sidhu, Customers Bancorp Inc. executive chairman, to create a new summer program for students with family members in the Young Presidents’ Organization. The Never Ever Ever Give Up Global Leadership Boot Camp is an immersive two-week experience that will bring students from around the world to Alvernia’s Reading campus this summer. In this file photo, Sidhu talks about his book during a January, 2024 event at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Reading. (BILL UHRICH, MEDIANEWS GROUP FILE PHOTO)
The boot camp is presented with support from members of the YPO Pennsylvania Chapter and other global chapters and is designed to reflect YPO’s focus on developing leaders through trusted community and exceptional experiences, Alvernia said.
Participants will explore entrepreneurship and emerging technology through a values-centered lens while engaging with real-world institutions and decision-makers.
“Alvernia is built for experiential learning that develops ethical leaders who do well and do good,” said Alvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. “This partnership with Jay Sidhu and the Never Ever Ever Give Up platform, in collaboration with YPO Pennsylvania and its world-class champions, creates a truly distinctive global leadership experience for families who value purpose-driven leadership, hands-on learning, innovation and service.”
Program highlights include site visits and immersive learning connected to leadership, markets and civic life, including planned experiences in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and New York City.
Students will also use Alvernia’s innovation resources for hands-on projects, with a capstone venture challenge and graduation planned at the New York Stock Exchange.
“Students won’t be learning leadership in theory, they’ll experience it in real time through experiences that highlight the importance of creativity, clear communication and ethical decision-making,” said Travis A. Berger, Alvernia associate professor and program director. “By combining entrepreneurial thinking, AI, and intentional self-reflection with daily access to experienced leaders, this program delivers a distinctive level of developmental intensity that participants simply can’t find in a traditional summer program.”
The program will run from June 14-26 and will include up to 50 students.
Eligibility is reserved for teens 14-19 from YPO member families.
Applicants should be curious about AI, entrepreneurship, and global business, interested in leading a family business or startup, and looking to strengthen soft skills like communication, public speaking, collaboration, and problem-solving, according to the program’s website.
Each eligible student may also register one companion of similar age, subject to availability.
Tuition is $7,995, and includes housing, meals, on-campus programming, domestic group travel for scheduled excursions, activity fees and graduation events.
Applications and additional information is available at alvernia.edu/GlobalLeadershipBootCamp.