Alternative Credentials Network Track

Learn the Field before Playing the Game: Understanding your Audiences as you Build Alternative Credentials
Georgetown | Alternative Credentials | Applied | Policy
The panel will explore how alternative credentials and digital badges are built from a vetted curriculum, which helps retain rigor and demonstrate competency and skills. The panel will also explore aspects of building internal understanding – and even faculty champions – for micro-credentials. We will also address how research with regional employers and prospective students has informed badge development as both valuable, high-ROI education and as pathways to stackable credentials. Designing academic pathways with noncredit entry points is providing a low barrier to entry for students and also is illuminating the potential for future enrollment pipelines on our campuses.

• Beth Rhoades, Weber State University
• Shane Farver, Weber State University
• Jessica DuPont, Oregon State University Ecampus
• Stacy Snow, Kennedy & Company

Moderator: Gary Chinn, Penn State University

From the Ground Up: Digital Badging and Micro-Credentialing Program Development
Monroe | Alternative Credentials | Foundational |
This session will discuss digital badging from both a de-centralized and university-wide perspective. Topics will include the use of digital badges as a certificate of completion and attainment of a skill for competency; definitions; and building infrastructure to support the delivery of micro-credentials. Presenters will share lessons learned, practical applications and implementation strategies to take back to participants' home institutions.

• Melissa Kaufman, Drexel University
• Daria LaTorre, Duquesne University
• Mary Parish, Duquesne University

Moderator: Tom Harney, Credly

Implementation of Micro-Credentials Within Higher Education Today. What’s Holding Us Back?
Jefferson West | Alternative Credentials | Strategic | Faculty
Higher education is being challenged to stay relevant in a fast-paced, changing environment. Competencies are the new currency. How can higher education pivot to meet the changing needs of various learners? What role does professional, continuing, and online education offices play in meeting the challenges we face today? This interactive session brings together an expert panel for discussion on the importance of building a sustainable micro-credential initiative on campuses and across higher education systems.

• Rosa Redonnett, University of Maine System
• Paul Cochrane, University of Southern Maine
• Claire Sullivan, University of Maine System

Moderator: Jeff Angle, ISACA

Opportunity in the Alternative Credential Space: Lessons Learned From 5 Institutions
Monroe | Alternative Credentials | Applied |
In this session, you will hear firsthand how five institutions are approaching the alternative credential space and where they’re experiencing challenges (e.g., budget and personnel cuts) and growth opportunities (in-demand program expansion). The panel will share how they have overcome obstacles, worked behind the scenes to bring new high-impact programs to life, and supported their student's career ambitions when they needed it most.

• Clay Taylor, Texas Tech University
• Lesa Hanlin, University of Virginia
• Rebecca Cook, University of Arizona
• Sara Leoni, GreenFig
• Lisa Verma, Louisiana State University

Moderator: Melissa Peraino, UPCEA

Leveraging Partnerships to Provide In-Demand Microcredentials to Meet the Needs of Emergent Industrys’ Workforce
Lincoln West | Alternative Credentials | Strategic |
With a competitive jobs landscape in emerging industries, certificate programs hold extra value for students and the universities that offer them. Recent data shows that there is a gap between the connected job outcomes that universities would like to provide for students and what has been achieved to date. Join us to learn how University of Akron and Syracuse University are partnering with Coursera and Green Flower to integrate multiple industry credentials (from engineering to cannabis) their degree pathways and continuing education offerings in fields - Overcoming implementation barriers, institutional roadblocks and new marketing opportunities to build successful programs and prepare students for exciting careers.

• Jim Gaffey, Syracuse University
• Daniel Kalef, Green Flower
• Nate Rowe, Green Flower
• Wendy Lampner, The University of Akron
• Scott Shireman, Coursera

Moderator: Kelly Newell, Washington State University

Employers’ Perspective and Lived Experiences
Georgetown | Alternative Credentials | Applied |
A recent survey of 500+ human resource professionals conducted by UPCEA and Collegis Education found over two-thirds of employers would like to collaborate with a higher education partner to develop and deliver microcredentials. This session will share results of the survey of hiring professionals’ perceptions of microcredentials, the lived experience of two institutions in their journey to implement microcredentials, and key factors for success for any institution considering adding microcredentials to their academic portfolio.

• Bruce Etter, UPCEA
• Tracy Chapman, Collegis Education
• Tricia McFadden, Saint Francis University
• John Buerck, Saint Louis University

Moderator: Bonnie Cordell, Texas Tech University

Micro-Credentials as a Bridge to Employment
Jefferson West | Alternative Credentials | Applied |
This session will showcase different approaches for integrating micro-credentials into undergraduate and graduate programs. Presenters will share their experience and lessons learned and will engage the audience in a dialogue to identify actionable steps to get started with and consolidate the use of micro-credentials as a bridge from classroom to career.

• Sasha Goldman, Boston University
• James Halpert, Lightcast
• Jude Okpala, University of Texas at San Antonio
• Claudia Arcolin, University of Texas at San Antonio

Moderator: Wendy Boland, American University

Alternative Credentials Network | Charting the Path Ahead on Issues and Initiatives Impacting Our Work
Jefferson West | Alternative Credentials | 

• Gary Chinn, Penn State University
• Kelly Newell, Washington State University
• Javier Motta-Mena, University of Texas at Austin
• Tyler Ritter, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Moderator: Chris Edwards, MindEdge

Development of a Talent Pipeline: Education and Industry Partnerships
Jefferson East | Alternative Credentials | Foundational | Faculty
Micro-credentialing and Digital Badging is a growing movement, attractive for its flexibility and efficiency in connecting students with careers and jobs.  The FGCU badge model begins with development, in which university and industry partners collaborate to identify micro-credential needs, identify the associated competencies/skill(s), and determine the acceptable mastery levels for each skill. FGCU developed the Fundamentals of Medical Device Industry badge (micro-credential) in response to specific regional workforce need in partnership with a major area employer. Concept, design, course integration, and initial results will be detailed, along with next steps and best practices for institutions implementing similar badges.

• Aysegul Timur, Florida Gulf Coast University
• Kristen Vanselow, Florida Gulf Coast University

Moderator: Beth Rubin, Campbell University

Incentivizing Faculty Development with Certificates and Badges
Lincoln East | Alternative Credentials | Applied | Faculty
This multi-institutional session will share how two universities are leveraging campus partnerships and increasing access to faculty development. We will consider how one institution’s Center for Teaching and Learning implemented an expanded Teaching Certificate program that is administered via its new School of Professional Studies. We will also hear how one institution designed and implemented a Summer Online Course Grant program to incentivize faculty development in alignment with its faculty review standards. In both cases, the programs have expanded access to faculty development and occurred in partnership with other campus departments.

• Heather McCullough, University of North Carolina System
• Pamela Wimbush, California State University, Sacramento

A Student-Centric Framework for Measuring Credential Value
Cabinet | Alternative Credentials | Strategic |
Join Western Governors University as we discuss our journey for implementing a unified framework for creating and valuing learner-centric credentials. During this session we will explore the implementation of a Unified Credential Framework and Credential Value Index to make better decisions about our credentials and degrees on behalf of every learner.

• Kacey Thorne, Western Governors University
• Tyson Heath, Western Governors University

Moderator: Chris Edwards, MindEdge

New Models of Higher Education: A Showcase in Innovation
Lincoln East | Alternative Credentials | Applied |
This session will showcase lessons learned in alternative credentialing, digital badging, prior learning assessment, skills-based taxonomy development, comprehensive learning records, and more, from the recently published book New Models of Higher Education: Unbundled, Rebundled, Customized, & DIY. This session will present the work of more than 50 leaders in the field; a discussion will be led on practical and strategic decisions facing institutions, and on high-level policies, processes, and resource needs.

• Aaron Brower, University of Wisconsin Extended Campus
• Ryan Specht-Boardman, University of Wisconsin Extended Campus

Moderator: Jen Schwedler, University of California, Davis

Approaches of Design and Innovation with Skill-Based Stackable Certificates
Cabinet | Alternative Credentials | Strategic | eDesign Collaborative
For the online CMU Master of Integrated Innovation for Products and Services program, we created a collection of stackable certificates that culminate in a master’s degree. Learners can pursue the certificates as stand-alone options, or they can stack certificates as they complete the masters. Programmatic success rests on leveraging both faculty and instructional design expertise, combining their efforts in working relationships. This collaboration allows for quality course development that addresses the complexities associated with innovating a traditional on-campus program in the online space. During this presentation, we will expand upon how the program design partnership solved challenges to deliver meaningful real-world learning experiences.

• Peter Boatwright, Carnegie Mellon University
• Leah Chuchran-Davis, iDesign
• Kate Marshall, iDesign

Moderator: Ursula Bechert, University of Pennsylvania