We are delighted to invite you to the 2025 Summit for Online Leadership and Administration (SOLAR) conference, being held July 22-24, 2025, in the verdant city of Portland, Oregon. As co-chairs for this event, we are honored to bring together leaders, practitioners, and innovators who are shaping the future of digital learning and strategic leadership in higher education.
SOLAR 2025 will focus on the core themes of digital transformation, innovation, and strategic leadership. Whether you are a senior leader, an emerging professional, or an instructional/learning designer in—or aspiring to a leadership role—SOLAR offers a unique opportunity to explore strategies and best practices that are crucial to navigating the dynamic landscape of online education.
The conference’s thoughtfully curated program will serve a diverse audience through engaging keynotes, workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities. We will delve into key themes such as leadership strategy, credential innovation, program design, emerging policy trends, and serving specialized learner populations. SOLAR 2025 will deliver actionable strategies and a deeper understanding of the complexities faced by our community of digital education leaders.
We are proud to offer an intimate, collegial atmosphere in Portland that will foster meaningful networking, fellowship, and shared understanding. Whether you are navigating the complexities of digital transformation, seeking new models for serving students, or refining your institution’s online strategy, your attendance at SOLAR will provide not only new knowledge and insights, but also lasting connections that will support your professional growth and the success of your institution.
We encourage you to actively engage in the conversations, share your experiences, and contribute to the collective expertise that defines SOLAR. Your perspectives are invaluable as we continue to build a vibrant community of leaders dedicated to advancing excellence and innovation in online education.
We look forward to seeing you in Portland for a conference that will inspire, inform, and propel us forward as we work together to shape the future of online education.
Warm regards,
| Sunay Palsole Assistant Vice Chancellor for Engineering Remote Education Texas A&M University SOLAR 2025 Advisory Committee Co-Chair |
Susan Seal Dean, College of Professional and Continuing Studies Mississippi State University SOLAR 2025 Advisory Committee Co-Chair |
The Summit for Online Leadership and Administration (SOLAR) conference is an opportunity for senior leaders and practitioners in postsecondary online learning to convene in beautiful Portland, OR to focus on digital learning, innovation, and strategic leadership in higher education.
Digital leadership is integral to the access mission, commitment to excellence, and sustainability of today's institutions. SOLAR’s program focuses on the best practices, thought leadership, and strategy that institutional leaders need to embrace digital transformation in postsecondary education. The event, located at the Hilton Portland Downtown, affords us the opportunity to offer a more intimate and curated conference that lends itself to meaningful networking, fellowship, and idea sharing.
Join key campus leaders – presidents, provosts, deans, instructional designers, faculty, and others focused on digital leadership – July 22 - 24, 2025*.*COLOs from UPCEA member institutions can expect to be invited to an in-person convening of the Council for Chief Online Learning Officers, on the morning of July 22, 2025.
Need a justification letter for your manager or organization on why you should attend? Download a template here.
