Arel Moodie, founder of the College Success Program and a nationally acclaimed public speaker who went from living on welfare to best-selling author and entrepreneur, will present the keynote address for the Spring into Success conference at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, in the University of Delaware’s Mitchell Hall.

Moodie, who has spoken to over half a million students at colleges, high schools and the White House, will speak about how students can become work ready, and succeed in school and in life.

After growing up in the projects of Brooklyn, New York, where he witnessed those around him being murdered and imprisoned, college became the only way out.

In college, Moodie was the president of four student organizations, named one of the top five exemplary students at his school and also named the most outstanding graduating senior of his class.

Moodie has been a featured speaker at the White House and was personally acknowledged for his work with youth by President Barack Obama, and he was chosen by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to sit on the board of a committee to help recent college graduates find employment.

Inc. Magazine called Moodie a “high-energy, motivator” and named him to their “30 under 30 list” of top American entrepreneurs under 30 years old, joining people like Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook. He was also named by Black Enterprise Magazine as one of their “tycoons under 25.”

The event is free and open to the University community.

More about the Spring into Success conference

Residence Life and Housing, New Student Orientation and University Student Centers have teamed to offer the Spring into Success conference on Feb. 3-4 to provide all students in their first year at UD a chance to arrive early for skill building, motivation and resources that can aid in their success as students.

The Spring into Success conference is designed to help students explore their goals and the resources that will help them achieve those goals.