Adam Fein joins 2U to lead academic innovation and edX university partnerships

The former Risepoint executive will oversee senior academic relationships and cross-product development across online degrees, executive education and alternative credentials.

Adam Fein has joined 2U to lead senior academic relationships across edX and innovation spanning degrees, executive education and alternative credentials

Adam Fein has joined ETIH Innovation Awards finalist 2U as Vice President for Academic Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, taking responsibility for senior academic relationships across edX and innovation spanning 2U’s degree, executive education and alternative credentials businesses.

Fein began the remote role in July 2026 and will also lead the University Partner Advisory Council, which brings university representatives together around the development of digital higher education.

He joins 2U from Risepoint, where he served as Senior Vice President for Product Innovation and Partner Solutions from May 2025 to June 2026. Fein previously spent more than six years at the University of North Texas, including as Vice President for Digital Strategy and Innovation and Chief Digital Officer.

The appointment comes as 2U continues to develop online programs with universities through edX, including a new early-career pathway within Rice University’s MBA@Rice program.

Fein announced the move on LinkedIn after completing his first week at 2U. He said the role will involve working with university leaders globally while connecting academic strategy across multiple types of online and workforce-aligned learning.

Fein takes cross-product role across 2U and edX

Fein will lead senior-level academic relationships for edX and act as an academic driver of innovation across the 2U Degree, Executive Education and Alternative Credentials business lines.

His remit places him across programs ranging from full online degrees to shorter professional and career-focused credentials. The role also includes leadership of 2U’s University Partner Advisory Council.

“I’m excited to share that I’ve joined 2U as Vice President for Academic Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, helping lead a new era of partnership across edX while driving academic innovation spanning degree programs, executive education, and alternative credentials,” Fein wrote.

He added: “I’ll have the privilege of working with outstanding university leaders around the world and leading the University Partner Advisory Council—a community committed to shaping the future of digital higher education.”

Fein thanked 2U executives Andy Morgan, Kees Bol and Anant Agarwal for the appointment, as well as colleagues who supported his move.

At Risepoint, Fein worked on product development and partner solutions, with a focus on new university and employer relationships. He also held a short-term position as Chief Learning and AI Innovation Advisor at Packback in 2025.

His University of North Texas roles included responsibility for online and technology-enhanced learning, digital strategy, program development and research into learning in digital environments.

Appointment follows new MBA@Rice pathway

The appointment follows 2U and Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business launching an Early Career Track within the MBA@Rice Online MBA.

The new pathway is intended for applicants with fewer than three years of professional experience who have demonstrated strong academic performance. It will begin with the October 2026 cohort, with applications now open.

Rice Business and 2U have operated MBA@Rice since 2018. The program offers four cohorts a year and combines live online classes, recorded faculty teaching, collaborative work and in-person residencies.

The Early Career Track does not create a separate degree. Students complete the same MBA@Rice curriculum, learn from the same faculty and receive the same Rice MBA as participants entering through the existing pathway.

The Online MBA now has two routes. The Experienced Track is for applicants with three or more years of professional experience, while the Early Career Track is for those with fewer than three years.

Early-career students will initially study alongside peers at a similar point in their working lives through Leadership and Career Accelerator courses, team projects and networking. They will join the wider MBA@Rice student community during their second year.

Jeff Fleming, Interim Dean of Rice Business and the Fayez Sarofim Vanguard Professor of Finance, says: “Many talented graduates are eager to build business knowledge and leadership skills early in their careers. The Early Career Track allows us to support these high-achieving individuals while maintaining the same academic rigor, faculty engagement and career-focused experience that define the MBA@Rice program.”

Barbara Bennett, Director of MBA@Rice and Professor of Finance, adds: “Our goal is to create an environment where emerging leaders can thrive while benefiting from the rich perspectives and experiences that make the MBA@Rice community so distinctive. This new pathway enables us to support exceptional early-career talent with a dedicated classroom experience and intentional programming.”

Role centers on new models of university partnership

Fein linked his move to changes in how universities, technology providers and employers work together around digital learning.

“Higher education is entering one of the most transformative periods in its history,” he wrote. “AI, lifelong learning, and new models of partnership are reshaping what’s possible. This moment calls for bold collaboration between universities, industry, and technology—and I’m excited to help build that future.”

The Rice Business announcement offers an early example of the type of partnership development covered by Fein’s new remit.

Jesse Swartwood, General Manager at 2U, says learner demand across the company’s university portfolio helped identify interest from younger professionals who did not fit the conventional MBA applicant profile.

“One advantage of partnering with universities across a broad portfolio of programs is that we can spot shifts in learner demand before they're visible at any single institution,” Swartwood says. “We saw a growing population of exceptional early-career professionals who were ready for an MBA sooner than the traditional model assumes. Rice recognized that opportunity and designed a pathway that preserves everything that makes MBA@Rice distinctive while expanding who can benefit from it.”

Fein is now in post at 2U, while the first MBA@Rice Early Career Track cohort is scheduled to begin in October 2026.