CIO Bulletin

Christopher Paucek, Co-Founder and CEO of 2U, Inc., is A Galvanizing Leader Leading the Organization with Unmoved Determination

We are in the midst of a transformational era in education. Technology is reshaping how we work and fundamentally redefining what it means to have a career, forcing us all to become lifelong learners. In the face of this new reality, leaders across academia are confronting a clear challenge: how to fully embrace the digital era while preserving the best of what has defined their institution, often for centuries. This need to adapt represents a stark change from adhering to a proven model that, for generations, has enabled universities to become a singularly powerful force in creating upward mobility in our society.

2U, Inc. (formerly 2tor Inc.) is one such American educational technology company that contracts with non-profit colleges and universities to offer best online degree programs. The company supplies its client institutions with a cloud-based software-as-a-service platform, coursework design, infrastructure support, and capital. The company aims to eliminate the back row in higher education. For more than a decade, 2U has been a global leader in education technology and a trusted partner and brand steward of great universities. It builds, delivers, and supports more than 500+ digital and in-person educational offerings, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional certificates, Trilogy-powered boot camps, and GetSmarter short courses. Together with its partners, they have transformed the lives of more than 200,000+ students and lifelong learners. Its dedicated team of experts supports student and faculty success through self-improved systems that drive brand stewardship and recruitment.

The GetSmarter Platform

It helps evolving your career through lifelong learning is as simple as signing up for an online short course. Through its data-driven course selection, powerful partnerships with world-class universities, and innovative course design and delivery, the company will help you redefine your future with a variety of 6- to 12-week, non-degree certificate programs that you can take from anywhere. GetSmarter leverages a unique education model that marries technology and academic rigor, 24/7 support from student success team, and a hyper-relevant course selection process, GetSmarter creates powerful learning experiences and proven successes for students. Here, a combination of meaningful, real-world instruction and support empowers them to succeed far beyond the classroom.

“2U has been a trusted brand steward and the digital transformation partner of choice to the world’s top non-profit universities in navigating the complexities of bringing the best of themselves into the digital age.”

2U Enterprise Service

In partnership with the world’s leading universities, 2U Enterprise helps companies build a future-ready workforce by delivering best-in-class programs across the most in demand, industry leading skills. They support companies in upskilling, reskilling, and retaining the best talent through the entire 2U product portfolio, including certificates, instructor-led intensives, and degree programs. Its esteemed network of university partners provides a vast geographic footprint and multiple academic disciplines that can turn corporate learning and development into a high-quality business impact. The company’s partnership with world-class universities supports them with ability to credibly upskill, reskill, and retains talent. Its commitment to academic rigor and focus on relevant, meaningful learning outcomes addresses critical business needs.

2U Boot Camp

There are millions more tech jobs than workers to fill them, and employers need talent with digital skills like coding, cybersecurity, and UX/UI to grow their business. To help fill this gap, 2U-powered boot camps are developed with a data-driven approach in partnership with world-class universities and employers, offering market-driven curricula to help you secure a high-growth career. This enables students to learn from instructors and peers in live classes and virtual lab work that is centered on hands-on learning experiences. After 12-24 weeks of full or part-time boot camp course work, graduates emerge confident in their hard tech skills and soft team-working skills. Its esteemed network of university partners provides a vast geographic footprint and multiple academic disciplines that can turn corporate learning and development into a high-quality business impact.

Career Curriculum Continuum

Technology is changing the demands of the workforce—and people are looking to online education to help them upskill, reskill, and thrive. That’s why 2U evolved its offerings—to help students stay competitive throughout their lives. Technology has transformed the way people work, and the learning required for a lifetime of career success. By embracing the CCC, universities can future-proof their roles as centers of education while serving student needs beyond the degree. And through the career curriculum continuum (CCC), it helps universities fill those needs—developing new digital education technologies and offerings capable of supporting students at different points in their lives.

Whether they need a simple refresher, to learn something new, or to change their career trajectories completely, the company’s university partners are there to help them succeed. Students can gain the skills they need to change careers, evolve their expertise, and meet the challenges of the changing world head-on. Everyone has different learning needs that arise at different times in their lives. With the CCC, universities are equipped to serve those students at any point in their lifelong learning journey—ensuring they can stay skilled, successful, and ahead.

The Charismatic Leader Upfront

Christopher "Chip" Paucek, co-founder also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of 2U, Inc. He is described by Forbes Magazine as the “nation’s leading provider of software for universities” delivering digital higher education at scale. Paucek has been involved in education ventures since the early 1990s. Prior to 2U, Christopher has served as CEO of Smarterville, Inc., the parent company of Hooked on Phonics. He began his entrepreneurial career in 1993 when he co-founded his first company, Cerebellum Corporation, which produced the award-winning educational television program and video series Standard Deviants.

His innovative work at 2U has earned him many accolades, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2012, the Goldman Sachs 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs Award in 2013, and multiple Highest Rated CEO awards from Glassdoor. In 2017, Mr. Paucek was named among America's best chief executives by Institutional Investor magazine, ranking third among mid-cap technology, media, and telecom companies. He is a leading voice and speaker on entrepreneurship and the global education and technology landscape.

Mr. Paucek holds a B.A. from The George Washington University and an M.B.A. from the 2U-powered MBA@UNC program at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.