Academic Partnerships
As entrepreneurial capacity-builders of online learning, we apply the technology and tools to help our partner universities reshape the landscape of higher education.
Our mission is to expand access to top-quality, affordable, workforce relevant education.
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base paragraph text. The approach will not be easy. You are required to maneuver straight down this trench and skim the surface to this point. The target area is only two meters wide. It’s a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station.
“Together with our partners, we are co-inventing the future of higher education.”
“AP is mission-focused on serving public universities and not-for-profit colleges in online initiatives that span graduate and undergraduate programs in business, education, healthcare, criminal justice and the liberal arts. Together with our partners, we are co-inventing the future of higher education.”
Rising to every challenge
COVID-19 presented challenges to AP and our partners. By going virtual in response, we discovered new strengths in ourselves and guided K-12 schools and our university partners in moving on-campus classes rapidly online.
Our Online ResourcesWhat sets us apart?
At Academic Partnerships, we drive change through innovation in online education. As an industry powerhouse, we are focused on facilitating the goal of scalable online program growth for our university partners while supporting the success of their students—from the dream of a degree to bold reality. Our integrated online program management model, the AP HigherEdge®, offers:
University services
We prepare universities
for success
Our dedicated teams guide each university partner’s growth path from the start, focusing on aligning internal infrastructure and data systems and informing academics with best practices to support online delivery of instruction. Our faculty-forward approach equips faculty and staff with the information, tools and resources to design and deliver successful online programs.

Our leadership
The AP executive team are mission-driven decision makers focused on furthering excellence. They lead with insights drawn from a diversity of experience in higher education, and beyond. Meet the visionary brain trust championing the successes of our university partners.

Rob Ganji
Chief Executive Officer and Board Member
Rob Ganji is Academic Partnerships’ CEO and Board Member and provides leadership and strategic guidance to AP’s executive team with specific focus on growth and strategic initiatives. Rob is a co-founder of Academic Partnerships and has extensive experience in ed tech and healthcare sectors with strategic leadership roles in higher education services.

Dan Branch
Chairman of the Board
Dan Branch is a prominent Texas political leader, attorney and advocate for advancing higher education. He is a former Chairman of the Committee on Higher Education in the Texas House of Representatives and served as Commissioner on the Education Commission of the States. During his six-year tenure in the Texas House, he was a leading advocate of numerous education reforms. He has served as Academic Partnerships’ board chairman since December 2019 and as a board member since 2017.

Howard Rouse
Chief Operating Officer

John Schilsky, CPA
Chief Financial Officer

Rob Hilliard
Chief Information Officer

Jamie James
EVP, Undergrad and Enterprise Markets

Susan Dukes
SVP of University Partnerships

Amanda Smith, Ph.D.
SVP of Academic Services and Products

Chris Shenk
SVP, Managing Directors

Bill Lowery
SVP of Vertical Marketing Operations

Sharold Prather
VP, Vertical Lead – Business

Kristin Micalizio
VP, Vertical Lead – Healthcare

Jane Passantino
VP, Vertical Lead – Education

Karmela Gaffney
SVP, Digitial & Integrated Marketing

Steven Bailey
SVP, Field Sales

Earl Frischkorn
SVP, Student Success Center

Keith Brender
VP, Student Retention Services

George Valiente
VP, Partner Support

Nelson Hsu
SVP, Innovation

Jennifer Scott
SVP, Alternative Credentials and Product Innovation

Kyle Farnsworth
VP, Operational & Data Analytics, Enrollment Services
Built-in benefits
Life at AP isn’t all work—we balance our efforts with abundant opportunities for all employees to learn, to care for our greater community, to stay healthy, and to celebrate what makes each of us unique:

Serving and contributing to community-based charities, including paid volunteer time off

Encouring mental and physical well-being through activity and nutrition initiatives

Offering professional skills instruction and personal development through LinkedIn Learning

Fostering cultural awareness through recognition and events led by our multi-national council
To learn more about our benefits, visit our careers page
Let AP help you elevate your institution’s online success stories.
Contact us to learn how our HigherEdge® services can make all the difference.
Headline
Academic Partnerships
700 North Pearl St., Suite 600
Dallas, TX 75201
214-210-7300
Latest news
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We’re better together
At Academic Partnerships, we’re dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. Our values aren’t just words on a page — we learn to live them every day, measure our success, and continuously evolve. Together, we’re on a mission to improve the state of the world through education.



Collaborating for Significant and Sustainable Growth
Academic Partnerships helps each university partner identify best-fit opportunities that present growth potential within their market. Then we consult closely to launch and scale online programs that resonate with potential students and meet the needs of adult online learners.
By executing on this plan, we consistently demonstrate partner benefits of strong enrollment, broad recognition for quality programs, a focus on student retention and a reputation for outstanding value. We only succeed when our partners and their students succeed.
Here are some of our outstanding results:
Tools
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A Letter from Rob
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Reflections on the First Quarter of 2020
Dear University Partners: When I became the new board chair of Academic Partnerships in December, the world looked dramatically different than it does today. Reflecting…
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