Andréa Backman

As chair of the Office of Employability at Strategic Education, Inc., Andréa works to bridge the gap between graduates and employers, ensuring that students achieve a positive return on their educational investments.

She also serves as President of Strayer University, setting the vision for an innovative, impactful education that equips students with the skills needed to succeed at work. She is focused on educational access, holistic support and employability gains for students and alumni.

In her previous role as Dean of the Jack Welch Management Institute, Andréa was mentored by Jack Welch himself—an experience that significantly shaped her views on education and mentorship.

She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.