University of the People is pleased to welcome Robert Holcomb as its new Vice President of Development.  

Robert is a professional fundraiser with over 20 years of experience across a variety of institutions. Prior to his role at the University of the People, Robert held senior roles at and raised significant funds for the American Kennel Club, St. Stephen’s School, Seeds of Peace, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and Yale University.

In his new role, Robert will be responsible for developing and implementing a fundraising program which is as entrepreneurial and high achieving as the University’s educational program and business model. Unlike a traditional university, University of the People does not have an alumni donor-base. The University relies on support from mission-driven advocates of educational access, programs for the underserved, and global diversity. Robert will report to the President of University of the People, Shai Reshef.

About University of the People

University of the People (UoPeople) has been called the Education Revolution. It is the first non-profit, tuition-free, American-accredited online university. Dedicated to opening access to higher education globally, UoPeople is designed to help qualified high school graduates overcome financial, geographic, political, and personal constraints keeping them from collegiate studies. The University offers associate and bachelor’s degree programs in business administration, computer science, and health science as well as an MBA and a Master of Education (M. Ed.). UoPeople was founded in 2009 and accredited in February 2014. Today, it has over 20,000 students enrolled from more than 200 countries and territories. 1,000 of these students are refugees, of whom 600 are Syrian.

The University is directed by President Shai Reshef, an education entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience, and by distinguished international boards of trustees and advisors. Its President’s Council is chaired by John Sexton, President Emeritus of NYU and includes current and former leadership from several of the world’s foremost institutions, including: George Rupp, President Emeritus of Columbia University; Catharine Bond Hill, President Emerita of Vassar College; Nicholas Dirks, former Chancellor of UC Berkeley; Judith Shapiro, President Emerita of Barnard College, and Nobel Laureate Torsten N. Wiesel, President Emeritus of The Rockefeller University.

For more information about the UoPeople visit uopeople.edu or watch President Reshef give a TED Talk.