Original Marvel Spider-Man Brings “Villain Crusher” Transformation Course to Chula Vista Christian University
- CVCU
- 7 hours ago
- 5 min read
CHULA VISTA, Calif. — What if the greatest villains standing between people and the lives they were meant to lead aren't found in comic books—but within themselves?
Beginning September 15, 2026, Chula Vista Christian University (CVCU) will offer Villain Crusher Foundations™, an interactive certification course created and taught by educator, author, leadership strategist and original Marvel promotional Spider-Man Professor Tom Schenck.
The synchronous online course is open to participants age 16 and older worldwide and is designed to help individuals recognize and overcome the internal barriers that interfere with achievement, resilience, purpose and contribution.
“The villains most of us battle aren't wearing costumes,” Schenck says. “They are fear, distraction, self-doubt, procrastination, limiting beliefs and the stories we sometimes tell ourselves about what we cannot become. The purpose of Villain Crusher is to help people recognize those villains, take responsibility for what they can control, and move forward with purpose.”
FROM SPIDER-MAN TO VILLAIN CRUSHER
Schenck's fascination with heroes has an unusual origin.
Early in his career, he became the first actor to portray Spider-Man in Marvel Comics promotional appearances in New York City. What began as a memorable chapter in popular culture eventually became part of a much larger lifelong exploration of heroes, identity and human potential.
Schenck later earned a master's degree from Dartmouth College and built a career spanning education, school leadership, athletics, coaching, entrepreneurship, consulting, speaking and mentoring.
Across those experiences, one question continued to surface:
What separates people who remain trapped by circumstances from those who continue growing through them?
Villain Crusher™ grew from that question.
“The challenge isn't becoming someone else,” Schenck says. “It's becoming more fully who you were created to be—and accepting responsibility for what you do with that potential.”
I AM THE ONE RESPONSIBLE
One of the central principles students will encounter is IATOR™ — I Am The One Responsible, a philosophy Schenck inherited from his mother, longtime educator Mary Elizabeth Schenck.
For 27 years, Mary Elizabeth began her classes by writing a simple message on the blackboard:
“I am the one responsible for the consequences of my actions.”
Her philosophy of responsibility, perseverance and service profoundly influenced her son and ultimately became one of the foundations of Villain Crusher.
Schenck emphasizes that responsibility does not mean blaming oneself for every circumstance in life.
Instead, students learn to ask:
What can I own? What can I influence? What responsible action can I take next?
“That distinction is enormously important,” Schenck says. “We don't control everything that happens to us. But even when circumstances change, we can strengthen our ability to determine what we do next.”
MORE THAN MOTIVATION
Villain Crusher Foundations™ combines self-assessment, Socratic discussion, leadership development, performance science, reflective practice and community engagement.
Participants explore practical strategies for strengthening resilience, focus, personal responsibility, self-awareness, character, purpose and leadership.
The curriculum also introduces Schenck's Super Six™ foundations of sustainable personal performance: Gratitude, Passion, Focus, Sleep, Nutrition and Movement.
But Schenck says the course isn't intended to create a temporary burst of motivation.
“Transformation is a daily activity,” he says. “You don't defeat fear once. You don't master focus once. You don't become resilient once. Every day presents another arena and another opportunity to decide who you're going to be.”
FROM PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION TO HELPING OTHERS
The course deliberately moves beyond individual achievement.
Students are challenged to consider not only how they can become stronger, but also how their strengths can benefit their families, organizations and communities.
That emphasis culminates in the course's Hero Impact Project™, which challenges participants to translate personal development into meaningful contribution.
“One of the most important lessons I've learned is that our abilities aren't meant exclusively for ourselves,” Schenck says. “The ultimate purpose of becoming stronger is developing the capacity to strengthen someone else. That's where success begins to become significance—and eventually legacy.”
AN EDUCATION DESIGNED TO TRANSFORM
Dr. Lisa Dunne, president of Chula Vista Christian University, says the course reflects CVCU's commitment to educational experiences that develop the whole person.
“CVCU is committed to serving learners of all ages with affordable, innovative educational opportunities,” Dunne says. “As a 25-year veteran of higher education, I've witnessed the inherent power of transformative education. The Villain Crusher course provides an avenue for personal growth and development in a positive, encouraging environment.”
The mentor-driven CVCU model emphasizes personalized learning, leadership, character development and practical application.
Villain Crusher Foundations™ extends those principles through an experience designed not simply to provide information, but to encourage participants to examine how they think, respond, choose, lead and contribute.
Schenck summarizes the challenge this way:
“Every one of us will encounter villains. The question is whether we allow them to write our story—or accept responsibility for writing the next chapter ourselves.”
COURSE INFORMATION
Villain Crusher Foundations™ Certification Course Instructor: Professor Tom Schenck Begins: September 15, 2026 Format: Live, synchronous online instruction Eligibility: Ages 16 and older; global enrollment Registration deadline: September 10, 2026 Enrollment: CVCU Villain Crusher Course
Enrollment is limited.
ABOUT CHULA VISTA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Chula Vista Christian University is a mentor-driven, faith-based university that equips students for leadership through innovative educational methodology and mentorship. CVCU classes are held in personalized, cohort-based models where students are known, valued and equipped.
Learn more at Chula Vista Christian University
ABOUT PROFESSOR TOM SCHENCK
Professor Tom Schenck is an educator, author, leadership strategist, speaker, entrepreneur, athlete and performance coach whose career spans more than five decades. A graduate of Dartmouth College's Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program, he has worked throughout his career in education, school leadership, athletics, coaching, business, consulting and mentorship.
Known for his early role portraying Spider-Man in Marvel Comics promotional appearances, Schenck later transformed his lifelong interest in heroes and human potential into the Villain Crusher™ leadership and personal-transformation framework.
His work centers on personal responsibility, resilience, self-mastery, purpose, leadership and social stewardship.
ABOUT DR. LISA DUNNE
Dr. Lisa Dunne is an author, speaker and award-winning educator with 25 years of experience in higher education. She is host of the Mindset Matters radio show and author of six books, including Outsourced: Why America's Kids Need an Education Revolution, The Multigenerational Marketplace and The Science of Social Influence.
She holds a PhD in Human Development, a master's degree in Organizational Systems and a master's degree in Communication. Her work also includes partnering with pastors and parents in the development of church-based educational models through Academic Rescue Mission.
MEDIA CONTACT
Dr. Lisa Dunne President Chula Vista Christian University (619) 888-5761 DrLisaDunne@CVCU.us
Villain Crusher Foundations™ begins September 15, 2026
Click below to enroll through CVCU's Villain Crusher program page
Comments