Jerome Pesenti, the former Vice President of AI at Meta, has joined Campus, a college startup supported by Sam Altman, as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). This announcement came on a recent Friday. Campus also revealed it would acquire Pesenti’s AI learning platform, Sizzle AI, although the financial details remain undisclosed.
Strategic Acquisition of Sizzle AI
With this acquisition, Campus aims to enhance its educational offerings through Sizzle AI’s personalized AI-generated content, which is already utilized by 1.7 million users. Tade Oyerinde, the founder and chancellor of Campus, noted that this move significantly accelerates the company’s development by two to three years. “This is a game changer,” he stated, emphasizing the benefits for tailored learning experiences.
Mission and Educational Offerings
Founded with the objective to transform the community college landscape, Campus is dedicated to “maximizing access to world-class education.” It provides accredited associate degrees conducted by adjunct professors from prestigious institutions such as Stanford, Princeton, and New York University.
Enrollment and Financial Structure
- Current enrollment: over 3,000 students
- Annual tuition fee: $7,320
- Financial aid: Accepts Pell Grants
Students also benefit from additional resources, including:
- A laptop
- A mobile Wi-Fi pack
- A personal success coach
- 24/7 access to tutors
Compensation for Professors
Professors at Campus receive competitive compensation, earning upwards of $8,000 per course, reflecting the startup’s commitment to high-quality education.
Investment and Support
Campus has successfully raised over $100 million from various investors. Notable backers include Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, General Catalyst, NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, along with Figma CEO Dylan Field. This financial backing positions Campus well in its mission to provide accessible education to a diverse student body.
