PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--University of Phoenix today announced that the institution’s board of trustees has named Peter Cohen as the new president of the University. As the eighth University of Phoenix president, Cohen succeeds Timothy P. Slottow, who began his tenure at the University in 2014 and announced his intention to depart in March 2017.
“At every step in my career I have sought ways to make education more engaging, accessible and impactful. It’s a thrill and an honor to continue pursuing this goal at University of Phoenix, a flagship institution of higher education,” said Peter Cohen. “I am also privileged to build upon the accomplishments that my predecessor, President Slottow, his leadership team and the entire University have made in recent years toward our vision of becoming the most trusted provider of career-relevant higher education for working adults.”
Cohen brings more than 20 years of experience in the education and learning science sectors to his new role with University of Phoenix. Cohen has served as Executive Vice President of McGraw-Hill Education since December 2016, and previously was Group President of U.S. Education, overseeing the company’s U.S. K-12 and higher education businesses. Cohen joined McGraw-Hill Education in 2013 as president of the McGraw-Hill School Education Group.
Prior to McGraw-Hill, Cohen served as chief executive officer of Pearson Education’s School division, where he was instrumental in shifting the company’s focus toward digital resources and expanding its school services. He also served as chief executive officer of Sylvan Learning Center and Educate, Inc., driving the organization’s expansion in the K-12 education space.
“Peter Cohen’s decades of experience at the intersection of education and industry, as well as a lifetime of emphasis on ensuring greater access to education and improved quality, made him a uniquely qualified leader to continue changing the lives of our students, their families and future generations through higher education and the ongoing successful transformation of University of Phoenix,” said Celestino Fernández, Ph.D., Chair of the University of Phoenix board of trustees.
“I couldn’t be more confident in the University of Phoenix Trustees’ decision. Peter brings a track record of success in leading education organizations and achieving operational excellence,” said Tony Miller, chairman of Apollo Education Group. “He is the right person to enhance and accelerate the transformational efforts underway at the University as we bring even greater focus to improving outcomes.”
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc., University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
