FAITH TEMPLE Church of God In Christ

Cheryl R. Gholar, Ph.D. is Associate Director of The Professional Development Consortium and Associate Director of Cruise and Learn Seminars at Sea. She believes that excellence in teaching is a courageous journey sustained by the will to teach and the continual pursuit of knowledge.

Sharing unique points of view, Dr. Gholar provides innovative techniques for creating strategic change. She teaches principles and practices of effective educational leadership. Through mini-lectures, group discussions, seminars, and workshops, participants develop knowledge and skills essential for transforming ideas into achievable goals.

Recognized for her expertise in the field of Character Education, conation and resiliency, Cheryl has presented at numerous national conferences including the American Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Staff Development Conference, the American Counseling Association, as well as serving as a participant in the White House Conference on Character Building for a Democratic and Civil Society for five years.

As an educator, counselor and administrator in public schools and postsecondary education for more than thirty years she encourages students to become positive and self-directed learners. Cheryl has a B.S. in Education, M.S. in Counseling from Western Illinois University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University. In the area of special programs she attended the University of Paris, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

She is co-author of Strategies That Promote Student Engagement Unleashing the Desire to Learn (which is in 206 University Libraries around the world). Other books include Beyond Rhetoric and Rainbows a Journey to the Place Where Learning Lives; Giving Kids the Will to Win, Connecting with Students’ Will to Succeed, The Power of Conation and Careers with Character.

Her exploration of resiliency and student success can be viewed on the professional development DVD, Building Lives and Molding Futures. As an author and co-author her research was presented at the University of London and Oxford University. She is published in Vitae Scholasticae, Journal of Educational Biography, Black Issues in Higher Education, The Journal of Staff Development and the Chicago Tribune.

Cheryl is recognized nationally for offering cutting-edge leadership seminars that speak to the heart, mind, and soul of what matters most in education, the workplace and in personal life. With vision and clarity her seminars capture the power of synergy, personal fulfillment, and authentic success. A dynamic leader in the field of human potential and development, she creates optimal learning experiences for all participants. With an original voice Dr. Gholar invites educational leaders, parents and students to reinvest in the wisdom and genius that resides within. With the belief that “Our greatest resource is the minds of our children,” she co-founded The Rhonda Blumenberg-Curry Youth Enrichment Fund at Faith Temple Church.

Awards and honors include: Educator of the Year, Phi Delta Kappa; Outstanding Service as a Professional Counselor, The American School Counselor’s Association Award; Kate Maremont Award, Chicago Region PTA; Those Who Excel, Illinois State Board of Education; Outstanding Educator Award, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; The Oppenheimer Family Foundation Award; Street Wise, Outstanding Recognition Award for Services provided to the Homeless; Community Supportive Living Systems’ Award for Outstanding Leadership. She is listed in Who’s Who in the Midwest; Who’s Who of American Women; and International Who’s Who of Professionals. She believes that “Each time we choose to teach to touch a life, listen and understand, open our gifts and share our talents with students in need of them, we build and transform lives.”