July 29 | 10:00 - 11:45 AM
As online education continues to grow in scale and strategic importance, Chief Online Learning Officers face a new convergence of pressure: heightened regulatory scrutiny and increasingly fragile financial models. This interactive session brings together executive leaders to explore the implications of shifting federal aid policies, evolving definitions of online learning, and the long-term viability of traditional revenue streams. Through expert insights, scenario-based planning, and peer dialogue, participants will assess institutional risk, challenge outdated assumptions, and leave with tools to align compliance obligations with sustainable online growth strategies.
The 2026 Convening is the annual gathering of the Council for Chief Online Learning Officers (C-COLO). Attendance is free and limited to COLOs and Institutional Representatives separately registered for the 2026 Summit for Online Leadership and Administration. Each UPCEA member institution has the opportunity to identify a COLO to represent them in the Council. Registration for the Convening will close Monday, July 20.
The Compliance Crossroads: Regulation, Risk, and the Future of Digital Learning
Updates on SARA, Title IV, state/federal regulatory shifts
The implications of federal aid reform (e.g., Workforce Pell, Grad PLUS, gainful employment, reporting complexity)
Disrupted Models: Online Enterprise Financial Sustainability
Financial pressures and revenue dependency on online programs
Changing tuition models (subscription, stackable, short-form)
The uncertain future of OPMs and third-party partnerships
Internal cross-subsidization models and CFO collaboration
Aligning Compliance and Revenue Strategy: A Leadership Planning Exercise
In peer groups, COLOs will identify ways to bridge the gap between evolving regulations and institutional financial models through scenario planning.