Egypt witnessed an unexpected uprising on 25 January 2011. People took to the streets demanding their rights to freedom, equity and a better economy, and in only 18 days managed to oust President Mubarak, who had held power for 30 years. The transition period is still ongoing with an unfolding of events creating turbulence in the political, social and economic arena. This study looks at the impact of the uprising of 25 January and the subsequent transition in higher education in general, with a focus on the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP), Executive Education Unit at the American University in Cairo (AUC). GAPP Executive Education is considered the training arm of the school, providing education and training opportunities that serve to reinforce and reinvigorate professional leadership capacities within government agencies, public institutions, civil society and media organizations in a challenging global environment within Egypt and the region. GAPP Executive Education offers both customized programs and open enrollment programs according to current trends and needs. The unit was established in May 2010, quickly finding itself in a mixed realm of events. As an income-generating unit serving government agencies and public institutions, the transition period in Egypt and the region placed GAPP Executive Education in a test situation to find responsive solutions. The study is divided into five sections: a brief background; role of educational institutes as partners in change; impact of challenging times on structure; impact of economic changes on pedagogy; and the impact of social and political changes.