Co-founder and executive director Hudson Baird will step down in the summer as search begins for replacement.
AUSTIN, Texas (March 2, 2023) – PelotonU, the Austin-based nonprofit leader that provides working Americans with a flexible and cost-effective path to college graduation, today launched a nationwide search for a new executive director after co-founder and executive director Hudson Baird announced his departure.
Baird will step down in September 2023 to pursue a master’s degree in business from the University of Oxford and will remain in his role until his successor is hired to ensure a smooth transition.
“At every step we’ve worked shoulder-to-shoulder with students. They and our team have helped PelotonU get to this point of opportunity and I’ve cherished every minute of learning together and celebrating our impact,” Baird said. “After discussions with our board, I’ve made the decision to step down as executive director to pursue my life-long dream of studying in England. It was important to the board and me that the decision be made collaboratively and at a time that would least impact PelotonU and its mission. I’m deeply grateful to our students, team and partners who have been with us throughout this journey, and look forward to watching PelotonU grow while learning from students how to best design and strengthen pathways to college graduation.”
PelotonU has hired Edgility Consulting, a consulting firm that works closely with social impact organizations, to lead the search.
PelotonU is seeking an outstanding leader with experience in education, nonprofit management and fundraising to maintain its high standard for student support and reach the organization’s goals for long-term impact. PelotonU is also looking for a director of partnerships and sales to grow enrollment and build strong relationships with companies and nonprofits seeking to offer a college pathway for working adults.
“PelotonU is in a critical phase of growth as we continue to invest in strategic partnerships and student support,” said Nicole De Santis, PelotonU board chair and principal at BCG in the Education, Employment & Welfare practice. “As co-founder and executive director, Hudson has been instrumental not only in growing PelotonU into what it is today, but in laying the foundation for hundreds of students to pursue their degrees alongside work and family commitments. We’re grateful for his contributions and are equally excited for the next chapter in PelotonU’s history as we continue growing across Texas and the country to serve more Americans and their families.”
Founded in 2012 with one employee and three students, PelotonU now partners with major employers like the City of Austin to help their staff pursue a degree and open up opportunities for career advancement. Created with the vision to offer a better path for working adults to graduate from college quickly and without debt, PelotonU’s nationally recognized coaching and support model ensures first-generation students, working parents and older learners finish their degrees at an affordable price without putting their lives on hold.
PelotonU co-founder Sarah Saxton-Frump transitioned out of her role as chief operating officer in December 2022, and now supports the Postsecondary Success Collective, a group of nonprofits with a similar model that supports more than 4,000 students nationwide.
If you’re interested in applying for the executive director position, please visit the website at https://pelotonu.org/careers/.
About PelotonU
PelotonU is an Austin-based nonprofit that has been unlocking opportunities for working adults to pursue college graduation in partnership with leading universities since 2012. Working with students who historically have a 10% chance of graduating, PelotonU’s model sees over 70% of students complete their degree. Through its network of employer and nonprofit partners, aspiring students balancing work and family life can earn self-paced degrees in select fields such as information technology, data analytics and management, business, communications and health care management at a fraction of the cost of traditional post-secondary education. For more information, visit www.pelotonu.org.
Media Contact:
Zach Price
Red Fan Communications
pelotonu@redfancommunications.com
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