Mike Tarrant, Head of the EdTech, Higher Ed, and Research, AWS Global Education

Mike Tarrant is the Head of the EdTech, Higher Ed, and Research for AWS Global Education. In this role, Mike leads a team focused on partnering with education leaders, educators, researchers, and education technology companies to leverage the power of cloud computing to accelerate innovation across the education, research, and the workforce community.

Mike previously served as Vice President and General Manager at 2U, Inc., parent company of the global online learning platform edX, where he oversaw the development and growth of digital degree programs and non-degree technical boot camps in partnership with leading universities. Prior to joining 2U, Inc., Mike held senior positions at the University of North Carolina where he led strategic initiatives and managed partnerships with business, non-profit, and government leaders.

In 2008, Mike was awarded a Henry Luce Scholarship to live and learn in Asia, one of 18 scholarships awarded nationwide. As a Luce Scholar, Mike worked at the National University of Singapore, assisting in the development of the university's global strategy, including the establishment of Yale-NUS College, one of the first liberal arts colleges in Asia.

Mike graduated summa cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his BA in political science and communication studies as well as an MBA in strategy, leadership, and entrepreneurship.