Deanna Raineri Appointed as Chief Academic Officer at Risepoint

Deanna Raineri Takes on New Role at Risepoint

In a significant move for higher education, Risepoint has announced the promotion of Deanna (Dee) Raineri, Ph.D., to the position of Chief Academic and Product Officer, effective February 4, 2025. With an impressive background in education transformation, Raineri is set to guide university partners in developing and evaluating relevant and distinct program offerings.

Raineri's journey in the education sector is marked by her prior role as Senior Vice President of University Strategy and Market Innovation at Wiley University Services, where she made a notable impact. Most recently, she served as President of International Marketing Innovation at Risepoint. Her expertise in leading teams focused on both international outreach and educational innovation has already earned her recognition across various educational institutions.

Fernando Bleichmar, CEO of Risepoint, extolled Raineri's credentials, stating, "Dr. Raineri is an extraordinary leader with the right expertise to further our partners' efforts in expanding access to affordable, workforce-relevant programs." He emphasized her respected position within academia and expressed confidence in her ability to deliver innovative solutions for Risepoint’s partners.

Raineri’s career boasts numerous achievements, particularly in pioneering academic programs that address workforce readiness. She has successfully collaborated with Fortune 500 companies at Northeastern University to create new degree offerings. Her role at Coursera involved designing global products that enhanced educational accessibility, and she was instrumental in making unbundled and stackable degree programs available at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Dr. Raj Echambadi, President of the Illinois Institute of Technology, has seen firsthand Raineri’s role in catalyzing significant educational initiatives. "Her exceptional leadership in strategic innovation helped shape groundbreaking initiatives," he said, reflecting on her ability to foster collaboration and drive impactful change.

Raineri herself expressed her gratitude for the new role, highlighting, "I’m honored to have the opportunity to serve as Chief Academic and Product Officer at Risepoint in this time of rapidly evolving opportunities in higher education." She reiterated her commitment to helping universities craft innovative programs that meet the demands of the workforce, ultimately improving educational access for learners across the globe.

As Risepoint collaborates with over 100 universities worldwide, its mission centers around enhancing enrollments and ensuring education is relevant to workforce needs. The organization significantly focuses on providing critical online degree programs, especially in high-demand fields such as nursing, business, teaching, and public service.

This strategic appointment positions Risepoint to continue expanding its impact on higher education, driving transformations that not only enhance institutional partnerships but also empower students with applicable qualifications for the job market. By pursuing innovations that resonate within the education sector, Raineri is primed to make a profound difference in elevating academic offerings that align with today’s workforce expectations.

For more information about Risepoint’s services, visit risepoint.com/services.

About Risepoint

Risepoint, formerly known as Academic Partnerships, is an educational technology company dedicated to enhancing access to affordable education. It provides extensive support and expertise to its partnered universities, focusing on developing effective online degree programs aimed at meeting employer and community needs. To learn more, visit www.risepoint.com.