Grandparents have always been teachers in their own right, but Pop University takes that role to a new level. The concept began when Peter Wolfe, now in his 80s, decided to share his life wisdom with his granddaughter Ciara after she graduated from Hofstra University in 2022. Jobs in film and creative writing were not easy to land, so Peter created a personal curriculum of Pop University life lessons, a one-on-one school where experience met ambition.
And it worked. What started as weekly sessions over food and a whiteboard led to Ciara landing a role in the film industry. More importantly, it strengthened their bond and created a model other grandparents can follow.
Why Pop University Works
Research backs up Peter’s instincts. What he created for Ciara is not just a personal family project, it reflects a powerful truth about the role grandparents and mentors play in shaping lives.
According to the American Psychological Association, children who maintain strong relationships with their grandparents show higher levels of resilience, emotional security, and social development. These connections provide stability, perspective, and a sense of belonging that support young people as they navigate transitions. For Ciara, the steady presence of her grandfather gave her confidence at a time when she was uncertain about the future.
On the career side, mentoring has been consistently linked to better outcomes. Studies show that mentees gain not only practical knowledge but also belief in their abilities. 87 percent of those who have mentors report increased confidence and a greater readiness to take on career challenges.
Pop University seamlessly blends these two worlds. It combines the emotional strength that comes from intergenerational bonds with the career benefits of mentorship. The result is not only a set of real-world skills, but also a stronger sense of identity and resilience. What Peter gave Ciara: accountability, preparation, and perspective, is exactly what research confirms young adults need most as they step into independence.
The First Lesson: Respect for Time
On the very first day, Ciara arrived 20 minutes late. Peter did not scold her. Instead, he picked up a red marker and wrote it boldly on the whiteboard. “I did not yell,” he explained. “I just wrote it down, and that was enough. She was never late again.”
Ciara admitted that moment stayed with her. “On day one, I learned my first big lesson, don’t be late,” she said. “Safe to say, I was never late again.” What seemed like a small correction became a lesson in accountability and respect that carried into every part of her life.
Tailored Pop University Life Lessons for Real Life
What made Pop University so meaningful was the way Peter shaped each lesson around Ciara’s interests. “I always meet the person where they are, keeping in mind their age and experiences,” he explained. “With Ciara, I tied lessons to the film industry, since that is what she cared about. She drove the conversations, and I filled in the blanks with decades of experience.”
Over the weeks, their sessions moved naturally from practical matters like resumes and interviews to deeper discussions about communication, presentation, and viewing life as a series of lessons. “Well, I am animated by nature, so I tried to make it fun,” Peter said. “At the heart of it, Pop University is about reviewing your life decade by decade, consolidating the wisdom you have gained, and then shaping it into something meaningful you can pass on.”
From the Student’s Perspective
For Ciara, Pop University was both a training ground and a chance to see her grandfather in a new light. “Each week we would meet for food, stories, and advice. I quickly realized these were not just casual conversations,” she explained. “Pop expected me to show up, pay attention, and follow through. I learned accountability from Pop School. Being on time, dressing the part, and taking myself seriously in interviews were not just details. They were lessons in responsibility and respect.”
She added that the experience gave her practical skills and something more lasting. “I learned about resumes, interviews, and networking, but I also learned more about Pop as a person. Those stories and lessons are something I will always treasure.”
The results spoke for themselves. Ciara landed a specialized role in the film industry that allowed her to grow and travel. “Pop School definitely paid off,” she said. “I gained practical tools, but I also learned discipline, accountability, and how to carry myself in the real world.”
Every Grandparent Can Create Their Own Pop University
For Peter, the true success of Pop University was not just Ciara’s new job, but the way she grew in maturity and confidence. “The greatest gift is not that she found a job,” he reflected. “It is that we created something that strengthened her sense of responsibility and strengthened our relationship.”
He believes any grandparent can create their own version of Pop University. “My advice is simple, share your life. Talk about your failures and your successes. Walk your grandchildren through how you handled challenges, how you made decisions, how you built resilience. Do not worry about creating a curriculum. Life already wrote it for you. All you have to do is open up.”
Research underscores how meaningful these ties are. Eighty-nine percent of grandparents say their relationship with their grandchildren is good for their mental well-being, another sign that intentional connection matters for both sides.
The Legacy of Pop University
Peter and Ciara at a Pop University lesson
For Peter and Ciara, Pop University became more than a set of weekly meetings. It turned into a tradition of passing down wisdom about time, preparation, perseverance, and perspective. What began as career guidance became a lifelong gift of responsibility and connection.
“Life’s most important education does not come from schools,” Peter said. “It comes from across the table, in conversations that bridge generations. That is the real heart of Pop University, and it is something every grandparent can create.”
About the contributor
Peter A. Wolfe is a proud husband, dad, grandpa, and lovingly called “Pop” by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Born in 1940 and raised in New Jersey, when houses were heated by coal, lit by gas lamps, and family doctors still came to your bedside, Peter has lived through extraordinary change.
He served as a nuclear specialist in the United States Air Force and later built a career as an executive in the manufacturing of aerospace military systems. He has a love for all things mechanical and beyond, enjoying cars, motorcycles, and anything he can build or repair. Today, Peter still lives in New Jersey with his wife and their two dogs. His greatest passion remains understanding “Being” and continuing the lifelong search for Creation.
