Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Maura Fox
How do you reimagine higher education to dramatically reduce cost, expand access, and still deliver strong career outcomes—and then scale it?
Join the Wharton Club of the National Capital Region (WCNCR) for an engaging evening with Stratsi Kulinski, Wharton MBA ’01, Founder and President of NewU, the first three‑year bachelor’s degree university in the United States.
NewU is a nonprofit tackling some of the most pressing challenges in higher education by innovating the underlying business model. Its approach centers on shorter, more affordable, career‑ready degrees designed to better serve first‑generation and low‑income students in the Washington, DC metro area. Building on early success, NewU is preparing to scale nationally and pilot a first‑of‑its‑kind structured dual‑enrollment high school (grades 11–12), where a university curriculum replaces much of the traditional high school experience—enabling students to earn up to 40 college credits per year.
During this session, Stratsi will share NewU’s journey—from identifying unmet needs and entering the market to accreditation and early outcomes. Then, we’ll roll up our sleeves for an interactive strategic session with Stratsi and members of the NewU leadership team. Bring your Wharton‑honed perspective, Penn-polished strategic thinking, and curiosity to explore how this innovative model can grow across regions and populations.
Date/Time: Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 6:00–8:00 PM ET
Location: New University, 1400 16th St NW, Suite 710, Washington, DC 20036
Tickets (Non‑refundable): $20 members (WCNCR & Penn DC), $35 non‑members.
Light refreshments will be served.
