Welcome from 2U Leadership
Our Global Forum will open with a welcome from 2U Co-Founder and CEO Chip Paucek and edX Founder, 2U Chief Platform Officer, and MIT professor Anant Agarwal, followed by remarks from President of Partnerships Andrew Hermalyn.
Speakers:
Chip Paucek, Co-Founder and CEO, 2U
Anant Agarwal, Chief Platform Officer, 2U
Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U
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
Lynn Goldman, Dean, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University
Todd Nicolet, Vice Provost for Digital and Lifelong Learning, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kent Syverud, Chancellor and President, Syracuse University
Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (Moderator)
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
Dan Porterfield, President and CEO, The Aspen Institute
Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO, National Geographic Society
Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (Moderator)
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, 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
Jorge Rodriguez Tort, Consulting Director in Educational Innovation, Tecnológico de Monterrey
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
Aaron McCullough, Chief Product Officer, 2U
Andy Morgan, EVP, Corporate Development and Head of Enterprise, 2U
Matt Bennett, VP of Content Strategy, 2U
Karen Meyer, VP of Partner Management, 2U
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
Craig Zilles, Professor of Computer Science and Severns Faculty Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign
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, 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
Aaron McCullough, Chief Product Officer, 2U
Jason Zocks, SVP, Partnerships
Location: Rock Creek A
NGO Partner Case Studies: SDG Academy and IMF
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
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
Rebeca Hassan, Project Manager, International Monetary Fund
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
Rocael Hernandez- Rizzardini, Director of the Von Neumann Institute and Director of the GES Department, Galileo University
Miguel Morales, Coordinator of E-Learning Area and GalileoX MOOCs, Galileo University
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, Chief Platform Officer, 2U
Aaron McCullough, Chief Product Officer, 2U
Kathy Pugh, SVP, Partnerships
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
Ken Laorden, SVP, Partnerships Chief of Staff, 2U
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
Marc Freedman, Founder and Co-CEO of CoGenerate
Tracy Weber Sheerin, Managing Director, Digital Learning and Strategic Initiatives, Executive Education, Yale University
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, 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:
Eric Grimson, Chancellor for Academic Advancement, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Julio Frenk, President, University of Miami
Joe Helble, President, Lehigh University
Barbara Synder, President, Association of American Universities
Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (Moderator)
Leveling Up: Innovating to Meet Online Higher Education’s Moment
edX Founder, 2U Chief Platform Officer, and MIT professor 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:
Courtney Harding, XR Creator
Soulaymane Kachani, Senior Vice Provost, Columbia University
Lilach Mollick, Director of Pedagogy, Wharton Interactive
Jennie Shaw, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic), The University of Adelaide
Wim A. Van der Stede, Dean, Extended Education, London School of Economics
Anant Agarwal, Chief Platform Officer, 2U (Moderator)
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
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
Kristina Johnson, Co-Chair, National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship
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:
Mark Hillman, Global Enterprise Functions L&D Lead, Accenture
Marc Wilken, CEO, Lufthansa Technical Training
Matt Sigelman, President, The Burning Glass Institute (Moderator)
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, 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
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
Kenny Verbeke, Application manager, IT department, KU Leuven
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
Chris Berthiaume, Director, Technology Employment in Colorado Partnership (TECP), Denver Economic Development and Opportunity
Juanita Soranno, VP Emerging Product Operations, 2U
Nicola Wilkin, Director of Education, University of Birmingham
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, 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
Steve van der Westhuizen, SVP, Strategy & Product Marketing - Enterprise
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
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
Eric Grimson, Chancellor for Academic Advancement, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mike Hassett, Director, Learning Technology, Western Governors University
Stephanie Khurana, CEO, Axim Collaborative
Jenna Makowsi, Senior Product Manager, Axim Collaborative
Sahar Salter, Marketing Manager, Campus-IL
Ed Zarecor, VP of Engineering, Axim Collaborative
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
Andy Morgan, EVP, Corporate Development and Head of Enterprise, 2U
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:
Nick Dirks, CEO, NY Academy of Sciences
David Leebron, President Emeritus, Rice University
Bin Yang, Provost, Tsinghua University
Anjali Ramburn, General Manager, 2U (Moderator)
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
Ellen Granberg, President, The George Washington University
Gary May, Chancellor, University of California, Davis
Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U (Moderator)
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
Anant Agarwal, Chief Platform Officer, 2U
Andrew Hermalyn, President, Partnerships, 2U
Location: Potomac Ballroom
The 2023 Global Forum will end with an optional Open House at 2U Headquarters on Wednesday, October 4 from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM.
The Open House will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the 2U magic that goes into our partnerships together. There will also be breakfast, entertainment, and an opportunity to visit key locations in the office and meet more of the 2U team.
See additional details for the event below.
About 2U Headquarters:
2U Headquarters is located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Washington, DC and the event hotel. The address is: 7900 Harkins Road, Lanham, Maryland 20706.
Transportation:
Shuttle Service: Transportation will be provided to and from the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel and 2U Headquarters. See the schedule below.
8:00 - 8:30 AM: Transportation will arrive at the Renaissance Washington DC Downtown Hotel to transport you to 2U Headquarters. Pick up will take place at the main entrance. A 2U team member will be onsite to guide you to the pickup location. The last shuttle will leave at 8:30 AM.
11:30 AM: Transportation will leave from 2U Headquarters to the Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel.
Parking:
If you plan to arrive at 2U Headquarters on your own, you can use the designated visitor parking.
Train:
There is a train station, New Carrollton train station, approximately a 6-minute walk from 2U Headquarters (available service: Amtrak, Metro, MARC). If you are departing from downtown Washington, DC, Union Station is a short 5-minute ride from Renaissance Washington DC (available service: Amtrak, Metro, MARC, VRE).
Travel Time to Local Airports:
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
• From Hotel: 12-minute drive
• From 2U HQ: 30-minute drive
Washington Dulles International Airport
• From Hotel: 45-minute drive
• From 2U HQ: 1-hour drive
Baltimore/Washington International Airport
• From Hotel: 1-hour drive
• From 2U HQ: 40-minute drive
Luggage:
If you are taking advantage of provided transportation to the hotel, we can arrange for you to keep and store your luggage there after checkout. If you are leaving directly from 2U Headquarters, we will provide space for you to store your luggage.
Dedicated Workspace at HQ:
If you would like to stay at HQ past the end of our Open House at 11:30 AM, there will be dedicated space available where you can work or relax.
Check-In at 2U Headquarters:
Upon arrival, you will need to check-in at the front desk. You will receive an email with the subject line “You’re Invited to 2U HQ” with a QR code that will be used to check you into our building. If you have any issues accessing the QR code, we will be able to assist you onsite.
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