Higher Ed Trailblazer Tapped to Lead Risepoint's Global Academic Services and Innovation Division

Deanna Raineri, Ph.D. will assume the Chief Academic and Product Officer role on February 4, 2025

DALLAS, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Risepoint today announced the promotion of Deanna (Dee) Raineri, Ph.D. to the role of Chief Academic and Product Officer. This move will provide current and future university partners with expert guidance in developing and evaluating program offerings for relevancy and differentiation.

Raineri, a pioneer in higher education transformation, came to Risepoint after serving as the Senior Vice President of University Strategy and Market Innovation at Wiley University Services. She most recently held the President, International & Marketing Innovation position at Risepoint, quickly building a reputation as an empathic and innovative leader, overseeing both the International and Innovation Teams, and supporting university partners in four countries.

"Dr. Raineri is an extraordinary leader with the right expertise to further our partners' efforts in expanding access to affordable, workforce-relevant programs," said Fernando Bleichmar, CEO of Risepoint. "She is incredibly well respected within academia, having held top positions in both higher education and edtech. I am confident she will provide Risepoint's partners with innovative solutions to accelerate their impact."

Throughout her career, Raineri has earned recognition as an academic product trailblazer, finding innovative ways for universities to reach more students with workforce-ready degrees and programs. From launching new degree programs in partnership with Fortune 500 companies at Northeastern University, to designing new products with universities across the globe at Coursera and introducing unbundled and stackable degree programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Raineri has been at the helm of transformative change within the sector.

"I had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Deanna (Dee) Raineri at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where her exceptional leadership in strategic innovation helped shape groundbreaking initiatives," shared Dr. Raj Echambadi, President of the Illinois Institute of Technology. "Her ability to drive transformative change and foster collaboration makes her a perfect fit for this forward-thinking new role at Risepoint, and I am excited about the innovative partnerships we will undoubtedly create together. I'm confident Dee will continue to inspire and elevate every endeavor she is a part of."

"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," said Raineri. "Throughout my career, I've sought to help universities create innovative programs that meet workforce demands and truly impact learners across the globe. I look forward to continuing this mission, working closely with our partners to deliver innovative, relevant, and forward-thinking solutions."

Partnering with a diverse range of over 100 regional public and private universities around the world, Risepoint helps them reach new students, increase their enrollments, and serve the workforce with relevant education. For more information about our services, visit risepoint.com/services. 

About Risepoint 
Risepoint (formerly Academic Partnerships) is an education technology company that provides world-class support and trusted expertise to more than 100 universities and colleges. We primarily work with regional universities, helping them develop and grow their high-ROI, workforce-focused online degree programs in critical areas such as nursing, teaching, business, and public service. Risepoint is dedicated to increasing access to affordable education so that more students, especially working adults, can improve their careers and meet employer and community needs. Learn more at www.risepoint.com. 

SOURCE Risepoint