Welcome from 2U Leadership
Our Global Forum will open with a welcome from 2U Co-Founder and CEO Chip Paucek and edX Founder and 2U Chief Platform Officer Anant Agarwal, followed by remarks from President of Partnerships Andrew Hermalyn.
Speakers:
Chip Paucek, Co-Founder and CEO, 2U (view bio)
Anant Agarwal, Founder, edX and Chief Platform Officer, 2U (view bio)
Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (view bio)
The Power of Partnerships in Online Learning
University leaders share how partnerships help them expand their missions for their institutions and learners, and take on some of the most pressing issues facing higher education today.
Speakers:
Jim Gash, President and CEO, Pepperdine University (view bio)
Lynn Goldman, Dean, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University (view bio)
Todd Nicolet, Vice Provost for Digital and Lifelong Learning, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (view bio)
Kent Syverud, Chancellor and President, Syracuse University (view bio)
Moderator: Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (view bio)
Life After Academia and Impact Beyond the Classroom
Higher education is a unique and evolving industry–and a training ground for leadership. Hear from former academics about how higher education prepared them for continued impact in roles beyond and after the classroom.
Speakers:
Sean Decatur, President, American Museum of Natural History (view bio)
Dan Porterfield, President and CEO, The Aspen Institute (view bio)
Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO, National Geographic Society (view bio)
Moderator: Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
Morning Break & Networking
Grab coffee, snacks, and network with your peers. Want to learn more about enterprise offerings, social impact, marketing, career services, learning technology, student support, content strategy, and more? Connect with our 2U experts stationed throughout the foyer during breaks.
Location: Potomac Foyer
Empowering Learners for the Workforce of the Future: Innovative Solutions and Alternative Credentials
This session will provide a comprehensive exploration of the evolving educational landscape and the skills development required to meet the needs of today's learners and the workforce of the future. Participants will gain insights into the initiatives undertaken by Tecnológico de Monterrey to address these challenges and the impact of alternative credentials on learners, and explore these possibilities in the context of their own organizations.
Speakers:
Michael Fung, Executive Director, Institute for the Future of Education, Tecnológico de Monterrey (view bio)
Jorge Rodriguez Tort, Consulting Director in Educational Innovation, Tecnológico de Monterrey (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek A
The Road Ahead for Executive Education
Hear our vision, direction, priorities, and progress on executive education offerings. Learn the latest on our platform strategy, how we plan to grow on-ramps to—and pathways between—your programs, and how we’re supporting your students through their learning journey.
Speakers:
Michael Kurbjeweit, Chief Marketing Officer, 2U (view bio)
Aaron McCullough, Chief Product Officer, 2U (view bio)
Andy Morgan, EVP, Corporate Development and Head of Enterprise, 2U (view bio)
Matthew Bennett, VP of Content Strategy, 2U (view bio)
Karen Meyer, VP of Partner Management, 2U (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek B
A’s For All: How Online Tools Can Support Mastery Learning
Mastery learning, a method proposed by Benjamin Bloom, requires students to demonstrate high proficiency in prerequisite knowledge before moving on to new topics. If they don't achieve mastery, they receive additional support and retests until they do. Online learning and digital tools allow integrating mastery learning into traditional higher education, reducing equity gaps caused by varying levels of preparedness among students, particularly in STEM fields. Our position "A's for All (as time and interest allow)" advocates for students achieving their desired level of mastery, even if it takes longer or requires more practice. We describe both the online tools available to support mastery learning and the potential policy adjustments that may be necessary, allowing leaders to empower their faculty and teaching staff to implement mastery learning in both their online and on-campus courses.
Speakers:
Armando Fox, Professor of Computer Science, Faculty Advisor for Digital Learning Strategy, and Equity & Diversity Officer, University of California, Berkeley (view bio)
Craig Zilles, Professor of Computer Science and Severns Faculty Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
Lunch & Networking
Grab lunch and network with your peers. Want to learn more about enterprise offerings, social impact, marketing, career services, learning technology, student support, content strategy, and more? Connect with our 2U experts stationed throughout the foyer during lunch.
Location: Anacostia Ballroom and Foyer
The Road Ahead for Boot Camps
Hear our vision, direction, priorities, and progress on boot camp offerings. Learn the latest on our platform strategy, how we plan to grow on-ramps to—and pathways between—your programs, and how we’re supporting your students through their learning journey.
Speakers:
Michael Kurbjeweit, Chief Marketing Officer, 2U (view bio)
Aaron McCullough, Chief Product Officer, 2U (view bio)
Jason Zocks, SVP, Partnerships (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek A
NGO Partner Case Studies: IMF and SDG Academy
Empowering Global Learners: The IMF-edX Collaboration
This session will present a compelling case study on the collaboration between the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and edX, highlighting how this partnership has successfully created engaging online courses to facilitate global learning. Drawing on the experience of this collaboration, the session will delve into the IMF’s overall learning program, online learner engagement strategies, and the impact of IMFx online courses. By sharing this journey, participants will gain insights into the unique challenges faced and the innovative solutions implemented to ensure the IMF’s online courses resonate with a diverse global audience.
Speakers:
Nina Dsa, Instructional Designer and Learning Specialist, International Monetary Fund (view bio)
Rebeca Hassan, Project Manager, International Monetary Fund (view bio)
Training the Workforce of the Future: Upskilling for the SDGs with the SDG Academy
In order to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) outlined in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, modern workplaces must transform their modes of work, operations, and supply chains. Revolutionizing the way that work is done can improve the progress made toward the SDGs. Upskilling and reskilling workers on sustainable development is necessary in the changing climate and education is the first step toward shifting companies and organizations toward sustainability. This presentation will highlight how the SDG Academy at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) has created and curated digital course content related to sustainable development that is open and accessible to education institutions and workplaces.
Speaker:
Jessica Crist, Education Manager, SDG Academy (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek B
Generative AI for Boosting MOOC Production: Tools, Opportunities, and Challenges
This workshop explores the main topics, commencing with a comprehensive overview to Generative AI within the context of MOOCs, followed by an examination of advanced content generation tools and efficiency optimization strategies in MOOC production. Some academic integrity considerations surrounding Generative AI implementation and its implications are addressed, as are methodologies to foster student engagement. Furthermore, attendees will be given the opportunity to delve into innovative applications of Generative AI in assessment and feedback, thereby unlocking the potential for personalized learning experiences.
Speakers:
Ignacio Despujol, Professor, Universitat Politècnica de València (view bio)
Rocael Hernandez- Rizzardini, Director of the Von Neumann Institute and Director of the GES Department, Galileo University (view bio)
Miguel Morales, Coordinator of E-Learning Area and GalileoX MOOCs, Galileo University (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
The Road Ahead for Open Courses and MicroCredentials
Hear our vision, direction, priorities, and progress on your offerings. Learn the latest on our platform strategy, how we plan to grow on-ramps to—and pathways between—your programs, and how we’re supporting your students through their learning journey.
Speakers:
Anant Agarwal, Founder, edX and Chief Platform Officer, 2U (view bio)
Aaron McCullough, Chief Product Officer, 2U (view bio)
Kathy Pugh, SVP, Partnerships (view bio)
Matthew Bennett, VP of Content Strategy, 2U (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek A
The Road Ahead for Degrees
Hear our vision, direction, priorities, and progress on degree offerings. Learn the latest on our platform strategy, how we plan to grow on-ramps to—and pathways between—your programs, and how we’re supporting your students through their learning journey.
Speakers:
Michael Kurbjeweit, Chief Marketing Officer, 2U (view bio)
Ken Laorden, SVP, Partnerships Chief of Staff, 2U (view bio)
Joanna Gerber, VP, Brand Marketing, 2U (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek B
The Third Act: Building a Purpose-driven Program for a New (Midlife) Cohort of Learners
This session expands the definition of today’s learners with an introduction to one of our richest, underserved cohorts: mid-lifers – and the programs that serve them. These programs not only tap into the wisdom of a generation but also pave a way for a more inclusive, intergenerational society. Yale leaders will explore the cultural context, market landscape and how their up-and-coming, blended program hopes to unleash the experience, energy, and expertise of retired executives to help build a better world.
Speakers:
Kavitha Bindra, Assistant Dean and Executive Director of Executive Education, Yale University (view bio)
Marc Freedman, Founder and Co-CEO of CoGenerate (view bio)
Tracy Weber Sheerin, Managing Director, Digital Learning and Strategic Initiatives, Executive Education, Yale University (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
Afternoon Break & Networking
Grab coffee, snacks, and network with your peers. Want to learn more about enterprise offerings, social impact, marketing, career services, learning technology, student support, content strategy, and more? Connect with our 2U experts stationed throughout the foyer during breaks.
Location: Potomac Foyer
The Essential Mission of the University
Enrollment declines. Rise of alternative credentials. Greater adoption of online learning. Even as higher education evolves, does the essential mission of the university endure? Leaders in higher education discuss the challenges to the traditional university, the new landscape of diversity in higher education, opportunities ahead, and more for today’s institutions.
Speakers:
Julio Frenk, President, University of Miami (view bio)
Eric Grimson, Chancellor for Academic Advancement, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (view bio)
Joe Helble, President, Lehigh University (view bio)
Barbara Snyder, President, Association of American Universities (view bio)
Moderator: Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (view bio)
Leveling Up: Innovating to Meet Online Higher Education’s Moment
edX Founder and 2U Chief Platform Officer Anant Agarwal leads a discussion with a panel of experts about what’s next in online higher education, from AI and AR/VR to blended learning, and maximizing the learning and teaching experience.
Speakers:
Cortney Harding, XR Creator (view bio)
Soulaymane Kachani, Senior Vice Provost, Columbia University (view bio)
Lilach Mollick, Director of Pedagogy, Wharton Interactive (view bio)
Jennie Shaw, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic), The University of Adelaide (view bio)
Wim A. Van der Stede, Dean, Extended Education, London School of Economics (view bio)
Moderator: Anant Agarwal, Founder, edX and Chief Platform Officer, 2U (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
A New Vision for Our Product Strategy
Hear from our new Chief Product Officer Aaron McCullough about how 2U is thinking about getting the right educational product to the right person at the right time to generate the right outcome: positively impacting lives.
Speaker:
Aaron McCullough, Chief Product Officer, 2U (view bio)
Fireside Chat: Entrepreneurship in Surprising Places…including Education
Hear from the co-chairs for the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE) as they discuss entrepreneurship and innovation and how higher education plays a role in it.
Speakers:
Steve Case, Chairman and CEO, Revolution; Co-Founder, America Online; Chairman, Case Foundation (view bio)
Kristina Johnson, Co-Chair, National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (view bio)
Employer Perspectives on the Education-to-Employment Pathway
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimates that 1.1 billion jobs will be displaced in the next decade. How is your institution, organization, or program meeting the workforce’s fast-changing needs? Hear from a panel of employers about the importance of the education-to-employment pathway.
Speakers:
Alan Hatfield, Executive Director, Content, Quality and Innovation, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (view bio)
Mark Hillman, Global Enterprise Functions L&D Lead, Accenture (view bio)
Leon Katsnelson, Director and CTO, IBM Skills Network, IBM (view bio)
Marc Wilken, CEO, Lufthansa Technical Training (view bio)
Moderator: Matt Sigelman, President, The Burning Glass Institute (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
Morning Break & Networking
Grab coffee, snacks, and network with your peers. Want to learn more about enterprise offerings, social impact, marketing, career services, learning technology, student support, content strategy, and more? Connect with our 2U experts stationed throughout the foyer during breaks.
Location: Potomac Foyer
A Portfolio Strategy to Respond to Global Challenges
How do you develop your institute’s portfolio of professional/online education, while balancing the objectives of the organization and the energy in teaching staff, with the market need? And how do you evaluate if you are making the right choices? In this session we will share the approach of TU Delft and activate you to develop your own portfolio strategy and assess its impact.
Speaker:
Janine Kiers, Portfolio Manager Extension School, Delft University of Technology (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek A
From Story to Structure: How to Put a ‘Spark’ in your MOOCs (and Your Professors)
How to spark creativity in professors who are buried deep into their expertise? At KU Leuven, we tackle this challenge by starting from the story professors want to tell and building on this to create the design of the MOOC. We will show how digital storytelling is a crucial factor in our instructional design framework and explain how we incorporated it into our evolving support model, including 4-day bootcamps and quality gates.
Speakers:
Elke Van der Stappen, Product Owner - Course Design Team, KU Leuven (view bio)
Kenny Verbeke, Application Manager, IT Department, KU Leuven (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek B
edX for Impact: Creating Access and Igniting Change Through Social Impact
Learn about edX for Impact – a collective effort to help marginalized learners get the education they need in order to develop the skills to pursue rewarding careers. edX for Impact programs are typically funded by corporate, foundation, local, state, and government partners, and provided at no cost to learners. Programs are based on the Aspen Institute’s Collective Impact Model.
Speakers:
Mia Bartlett, Head of Impact, Americas, 2U (view bio)
Chris Berthiaume, Director, Technology Employment in Colorado Partnership (TECP), Denver Economic Development and Opportunity (view bio)
Juanita Soranno, VP Emerging Product Operations, 2U (view bio)
Nicola Wilkin, Director of Education, University of Birmingham (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
Lunch & Networking
Grab lunch and network with your peers. Want to learn more about enterprise offerings, social impact, marketing, career services, learning technology, student support, content strategy, and more? Connect with our 2U experts stationed throughout the foyer during lunch.
Location: Anacostia Ballroom and Foyer
Enterprise Opportunities: Educating the Workforce Through Your Content
We are working to shape edX into a one-stop destination for education options–including for top organizations looking to reskill and upskill their workforces.
Gain insight on what we are hearing from employers about the skills needed today, and opportunities to meet these needs through your educational offerings.
Speakers:
Andy Morgan, EVP, Corporate Development and Head of Enterprise, 2U (view bio)
Steve van der Westhuizen, SVP, Strategy & Product Marketing - Enterprise (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek A
Online Learner Experience: the New (Un)conventional Journey
According to the World Economic Forum, 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025. Adopting a skills-based approach is expected to be beneficial to both employers and workers. Organizations, on a global scale, need robust and valid support by educational institutions to keep all stakeholders (including employees) continuously prepared. In this interactive and participatory-based session, tackle questions together on strategic direction for online learning, learning design, and the learner profile.
Speaker:
Leonardo Caporarello, Associate Dean for Online Learning Experience, SDA Bocconi (view bio)
Location: Rock Creek B
Axim Collaborative: Building on edX’s Commitment to Educational Equity
Previously known as the Center for Reimagining Learning (or “tCRIL”), Axim Collaborative is the nonprofit started by Harvard and MIT with the proceeds from the sale of edX to 2U. Hear from Stephanie Khurana, Axim’s inaugural CEO, about how the organization is building on edX’s founding commitment to educational equity and its new mission to make learning more accessible, more relevant. You will also hear what’s next for Open edX.
Speakers:
Ignacio Despujol, Professor, Universitat Politècnica de València (view bio)
Eric Grimson, Chancellor for Academic Advancement, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (view bio)
Mike Hassett, Director, Learning Technology, Western Governors University (view bio)
Stephanie Khurana, CEO, Axim Collaborative (view bio)
Jenna Makowski, Senior Product Manager, Axim Collaborative (view bio)
Sahar Salter, Marketing Manager, Campus-IL (view bio)
Edward Zarecor, VP of Engineering, Axim Collaborative (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
The Higher Education Market: Insights on Consumer Demand, Learning Trends, and More
The higher education market is much different now than it was even three years ago. More institutions offer educational content online. More students have access and have opted in. And, in general, more people have bought into the promise and potential of online learning.
Hear from our Chief Marketing Officer Michael Kurbjeweit and EVP of Corporate Development and Head of Enterprise Andy Morgan on insights on learner demand, the higher education market, what we are learning from the edX platform, and more.
Speakers:
Michael Kurbjeweit, Chief Marketing Officer, 2U (view bio)
Andy Morgan, EVP, Corporate Development and Head of Enterprise, 2U (view bio)
Future-Proofing the University
It’s a critical time in history for the traditional university. How do we meet this moment? Hear from heads of influential organizations who both preserve higher education and push it to evolve to solve the most pressing issues today.
Speakers:
Nicholas Dirks, CEO, NY Academy of Sciences (view bio)
David Leebron, President Emeritus, Rice University
Bin Yang, Vice President, Tsinghua University (view bio)
Moderator: Anjali Ramburn, General Manager, 2U (view bio)
View from the Top: Perspectives from University Presidents
University presidents from institutions in our partner community share their unique and candid perspectives on digital transformation, tough decisions, and greatest opportunities ahead.
Speakers:
Reginald DesRoches, President, Rice University (view bio)
Ellen Granberg, President, The George Washington University (view bio)
Gary May, Chancellor, University of California, Davis (view bio)
Moderator: Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (view bio)
Parting Thoughts with 2U Leadership
Throughout the Global Forum we will be listening to your questions, concerns, and ideas. In this closing session hear our top takeaways from our leaders and why we are excited about the future together.
Speakers:
Chip Paucek, Co-Founder and CEO, 2U (view bio)
Anant Agarwal, Founder, edX and Chief Platform Officer, 2U (view bio)
Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (view bio)
Location: Potomac Ballroom
2U HQ Open House (View Open House Details Here)
