Exhibit 10.3
SEPARATION, CONSULTING AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
This SEPARATION, CONSULTING AND RELEASE AGREEMENT (together with any Exhibits hereto, this “Agreement”) is entered into by and between 2U, Inc. (the “Company”) and Christopher Paucek (“Executive” and, together with the Company, the “Parties”), dated as of November 16, 2023 (the “Effective Date”).
WHEREAS, Executive, as of the date set forth below, hereby enters into this Agreement with and for the benefit of the Company;
WHEREAS, Executive participates in the 2U, Inc. Severance Pay and Change in Control Plan, effective as of February 14, 2020, and as amended on April 24, 2020 (the “Plan”) as a Tier I Participant;
WHEREAS, as of the Effective Date, Executive shall no longer serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and shall resign as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) but will continue as an employee of the Company until December 15, 2023 (the “Separation Date”);
WHEREAS, Executive’s employment with the Company will terminate on the Separation Date, and such termination of employment will constitute a Qualifying Termination pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of the Plan;
WHEREAS, the effectiveness of this Agreement pursuant to Section 14(a) is a condition precedent to Executive receiving the payments and benefits set forth in this Agreement and the Plan; and
WHEREAS, capitalized terms and phrases used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Executive, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and agreed, and intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
1. Resignation of Employment. The Parties agree that Executive’s employment will terminate effective as of the Separation Date. Effective as of the Effective Date, Executive hereby resigns from all positions Executive holds as an officer, director, employee or otherwise with respect to the Company, its subsidiaries and its affiliates. Upon request of the Company, Executive agrees to execute any additional documents and take any additional actions as may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the foregoing.
2. Consulting Period.
(a) Provided that this Agreement becomes effective pursuant to Section 14(a), for the period of time beginning on the Separation Date through April 3, 2025 (such date, the “Consulting Period End Date”, and the period of time beginning on the Separation Date and ending on the Consulting Period End Date, the “Consulting Period”), Executive shall provide consulting services to the Company as an independent contractor, to provide transition services and work on special projects as requested by the Company (the “Services”). Executive shall be available to provide such