Robert Maranto, University of Arkansas professor of education reform, was keynote speaker for Achievement House Cyber Charter School’s eastern graduation June 14 at West Chester (Pa.) University.

Maranto holds the Twenty-First Century Chair in Leadership in the College of Education and Health Professions. He is a member of the board of the public charter school that serves students in grades 7-12 across Pennsylvania.

In his speech, Maranto offered eight tips to a successful life, including always considering a backup plan, saving money and having more talent than ego.

Achievement House Cyber Charter School was founded in 2004. Enrollment surpassed 1,000 in 2013. The school maintains more than a dozen learning resource centers from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia to assist students in their virtual educational journey.

“It is an honor to take part in this milestone event for our students,” Maranto said. “Achievement House has equipped them with the resources to achieve great success, and I enjoyed sharing with them advice on how they can build upon this foundation.”

A nationally recognized expert on charter schools and education reform, Maranto worked in government under the Clinton administration and has done extensive research on education reform, political leadership and civil service reform. He has worked with others to produce more than 10 books, including The Politically Correct University and A Guide to Charter Schools. More than 70 of Maranto’s publications appear in scholarly journals, and his op-eds have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and the Philadelphia Inquirer.