2U, Inc. announced that Susan Cates has been named chief operating officer. As COO, Cates will lead a number of core functions critical to the growth of 2U's university partner programs, including enrollment services, educational content production, student recruitment, and student and faculty support and placement. She will also have responsibility for 2U human resources, including learning and development.

Cates brings more than two decades of experience in higher education, education investments, business development, and executive learning and development. Most recently, Cates served as president of executive development at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School and as founding executive director of MBA@UNC, its online MBA program. UNC Kenan-Flagler has been a 2U university partner since 2010.