Alternative and non-degree credentials continue to gain relevance and traction with learners and higher education leaders, resulting in a demand for credential innovation and for dedicated resources to advance quality standards, policy, and best practices. Further, alternative credentials position higher education institutions to overcome one of the greatest critiques leveled at them: a lack of connectivity between programming and the needs of learners and the labor market. These new credentials are a vital driver of the future success and long-term viability of institutions, and also for aligning higher education programming with the needs of learners and the marketplace.
| 2:45 PM |
Concurrent Sessions I |
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Powering Microcredential Value and Trust
Lewis | Alternative Credentials | Applied |
As microcredentials in higher education gain momentum, we must ensure they consistently and continually provide value to learners, issuers, and reviewing organizations. One way to do this is by creating tangible value and transparency in the digital credentials ecosystem. Learn about a new unified coalition of stakeholders working together to establish standardized expectations for common use cases in earning, issuing, and reviewing microcredentials. We will present and discuss the outcomes of their leadership in defining and validating parameters of microcredential quality and trust that supports learner mobility.
- Ed Clark, California State University, Office of the Chancellor
- Kim Moore, Wichita State University
- Kelly Hoyland, 1EdTech
Roundtable Sessions
Harbor 1
Roundtables are table-based, small-group, guided discussion about a specific and timely topic, question, or issue. During one, 60-minute concurrent session, multiple Roundtable presenters concurrently share their ideas at one round table each, and promote the sharing of thoughts, solutions, and questions among their respective table attendees. Roundtables are designed to provide space and time to important but particularly nuanced topics which deserve attention, and as such, attendees are free to move between tables. The Roundtable session will have a moderator who will welcome attendees, invite them to find a topic/table of their choice, and watch the time, inviting presenters to host their discussions twice during the hour, to allow attendees to engage with up to two different topics.
Creating a Pathway to Credit via Alternative Digital Credentials
Alternative Credentials | Applied | Tag: Policy
The diminishing “traditional” student or “first-time freshman” population requires new approaches to higher education, specifically in the form of alternative digital credentials (ADCs). How can universities create and scale ADCs that will lead not only to upskilling and workforce development for their local communities, but which will also lead to enrollments via a pathway to credit? What are the key opportunities, challenges, and strategies to bring these credit-bearing alternative digital credentials to fruition? This discussion will bring together a panel whose work includes all parts of the ADC growth cycle: from conception, to execution, to enrollment and/or employment.
- Maggie Ervin, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Natalie Whitman, Southern Illinois University
- Mary Ettling, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Navigating the Partnership Maze: Pitfalls and Pathways to Success with Other Departments
Alternative Credentials | Applied |
Join this session to explore collaboration strategies for alternative credentials and empower your institution for success. Discover the intricacies of partnering with your institution to offer non-credit programs, micro-credentials, badges, and certificates. Join the discussion and shape strategies for success.
- Kristy Anthony, Lousiana State University
- Lesa Hanlin, University of Virginia
- Sara Leoni, Ziplines Education
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| 4:00 PM |
Concurrent Sessions II |
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An Alternative and Affordable Pathway to Workforce Development: Coupling Micro-credentials with Partnerships to Create Scalable Job Readiness Programs
Burroughs | Alternative Credentials | Applied | Tag: Diversity & Inclusion
Across the country, federal and state investment in workforce development and apprenticeships is on the rise. PCO units are in a unique position to leverage their expertise in alternative credentials to create programming that leads to career pathways in the communities they serve. This session will present an emergent program model at the University of California, Davis that coupled an alternative credential on the Coursera platform with a paid work placement, offering underserved residents of Sacramento a pathway into the IT profession. Learn how Continuing and Professional Education leaders plan to scale this program to other industries, creating affordable pathways that address workforce needs, encourage new economic opportunity within their community, and diversify various professional industries.
- Alex Lowrie, University of California, Davis
Alternative Credentials: Upskilling for a New Workforce
Marina I | Alternative Credentials | Strategic | Tag: Policy
New empirical research conducted by UPCEA and StraighterLine investigates some college, no credential learners’ interest in pursuing degree completion programs, and the impact alternative credentials have on that interest. The study illustrates students’ reasons for choosing postsecondary education, their goals for expanding workforce skills, career stagnation, and the impact of alternative credentials and credit for prior learning. The findings can inform institutional leaders decision-making for alternative credential and degree completion programs, trends among non-credit seeking adult learners, and the stackability of credit and non-credit offerings.
- Amy Smith, StraighterLine
- Bruce Etter, UPCEA
Stop & Share Sessions
Harbor 1
Attendees are invited to stop in, mill about, and engage in these dynamic, demonstration-type conversations hosted by presenters ready to share ideas on a hot topic, best practice, or technological innovation.
Building Innovation Capacity to Launch New Programs
Alternative Credentials | Applied |
The University of Minnesota’s College of Continuing and Professional Studies sought to develop the ability to offer continuing education programs in an online multi-week course format with synchronous connection, asynchronous learning, and assessment-based credentialing. To accomplish this, the team had to build new capacities and know-how to support the new program format while continuing to support existing programs. Learn how the team blended aspects of design thinking, innovation theory, and operational practices to bring the innovation initiative to a successful outcome. Apply lessons learned from their experience to your innovation agenda.
- Ross Jahnke, University of Minnesota
- Ryan Torma, University of Minnesota
- Molly Hahne, University of Minnesota
The Future of Learning: Adapting to the Changing Educational Landscape
Alternative Credentials | Foundational | Tag: Faculty
This session will highlight the importance of meeting the needs of today's learners in the context of workforce development. We will explore the institution's commitment to empowering learners and its role in shaping the future of education. We will discuss the latest trends and best practices in skills development to equip participants with an understanding of the changing requirements in the workforce. Also, the session will dive into the integration of alternative credentials within the educational ecosystem, emphasizing their role in providing flexible and accessible learning pathways. The session will also showcase real-life case studies from Tecnológico de Monterrey's initiatives in alternative credentialing, highlighting the impact on learners and organizations.
- Jorge Rodriguez Tort, Tecnologico de Monterrey
Leveraging Third Party Partnerships to Address the Needs of Emergent Industry’s Workforce Needs
Alternative Credentials | Strategic |
This session will provide a practical roadmap for institutions interested in the emerging cannabis education landscape. Learn from two Universities - Northwest Missouri State University and Northern Michigan University - each with 3 years of experience, offering non-credit credentials for the most in-demand disciplines in the industry. By attending this session, educators, administrators, and institutions seeking to establish alternative credential programs in cannabis education, or other emerging markets, will be equipped with a practical guide, drawn from three years of real-world experiences.
- Steve VandenAvond, Northern Michigan University
- Daniel Kalef, Green Flower
- Stephanie Zadroga-Langlois, Northern Michigan University
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| 7:45 AM |
Institutional Representatives, Council for Chief Online Learning Officers (C-COLO), and Council for Credential Innovation (CCI) Breakfast Briefing [by invitation only, separate registration required] (Commonwealth AB) |
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Open to all UPCEA Institutional Representatives (IRs), Chief Online Learning Officers (COLOs), and Council of Credential Innovation (CCI) representatives attending the UPCEA 2023 Annual Conference. The 2024 UPCEA Institutional Representatives Annual Briefing, hosted in conjunction with the Council for Chief Online Learning Officers and Council for Credential Innovation, provides an opportunity for senior leaders in online and professional education to connect with peers, to be briefed on the most pressing topics of our field today, and to discuss together ways we can be best positioned for the future. This year’s briefing will follow a “roundtable” format, featuring the sharing of a curated list of critical trends, predictions, and prognostications and intersected with ample time for table-based discussion and reporting-out.
- Ray Schroeder, UPCEA
- Julie Uranis, UPCEA
- Stacy Chiaramonte, UPCEA
- Bob Hansen, UPCEA
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| 9:30 AM |
Concurrent Sessions IV |
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Learner Controlled Verifiable Credentials: Adopting Open Badges Version 3
Harbor 2 | Alternative Credentials | Applied |
This session will share the efforts underway at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the University of California Irvine to deploy, experiment with, and develop the policy, process, and infrastructure to enable units at these universities to issue Open Badges Version 3 / Verifiable Credentials. The session will demonstrate these standards and technologies using open source software to describe how these digital credentials may work in an ecosystem of institutions, learners, and employers. The session will also explore policy and process.
- Steve Harmon, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Kristine Collins, University of California, Irvine
- Henry Leitner, Harvard University
- Kerri Lemoie, Digital Credentials Consortium
Roundtable Sessions
Harbor 1
Roundtables are table-based, small-group, guided discussion about a specific and timely topic, question, or issue. During one, 60-minute concurrent session, multiple Roundtable presenters concurrently share their ideas at one round table each, and promote the sharing of thoughts, solutions, and questions among their respective table attendees. Roundtables are designed to provide space and time to important but particularly nuanced topics which deserve attention, and as such, attendees are free to move between tables. The Roundtable session will have a moderator who will welcome attendees, invite them to find a topic/table of their choice, and watch the time, inviting presenters to host their discussions twice during the hour, to allow attendees to engage with up to two different topics.
The Future of Credentials: Building and Innovating Marketable Experiences in Higher Ed
Alternative Credentials | Applied | Tag: Diversity & Inclusion
In a market where student needs are evolving, the market is calling for skill building certificates and short courses. Join Suffolk University in a hands-on session that takes you from the initial concept to scaling a modern credential. We share key wins and lessons, including our "learn the learner" approach that informs a skills-focused curriculum. We’ll showcase how this strategy led to increased revenue and enrollments. The session also highlights the importance of strategic evaluations and partnerships—both academic and corporate—for ensuring relevance and scalability. Whether you're launching or refining credential programs, this session offers a proven roadmap for success.
- Allison Lakacha, Suffolk University
- Ashleigh Huseth, Archer Education
- Laurie Pulido, Ease Learning
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| 12:15 PM |
Buffet/Boxed Lunch Pickup for Network Meetings |
| 12:30 PM |
Network Lunch Meetings and Awards Presentations |
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- Alternative Credentials (Commonwealth AB)
Award Presentation | UPCEA Innovation in Alternative Credentials Award
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| 2:00 PM |
Concurrent Sessions V |
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From Learning to Impact: Harnessing Micro-Credentials for Social Change
Marina IV | Alternative Credentials | Applied |
The "Leading Social Impact in Post-Secondary" micro-credential program, a dynamic collaboration between Ashoka Canada, Royal Roads University, and the University of the Fraser Valley, represents a pioneering approach to higher education. Designed to empower individuals and institutions, this program bridges the gap between social impact concepts and institutional values, driving the pursuit of Ashoka Changemaker Campus designation. Moreover, it offers a pathway to credits within the Royal Roads University Graduate Certificate in Corporate Social Innovation. This transformative initiative redefines higher education, inspiring a new generation of changemakers and fostering a culture of positive societal impact.
- Zoe MacLeod, Royal Roads University
- Charmaine Lyn, Ashoka Canada
A Tale of Two Universities: Crafting a Roadmap for Non-Degree Credentialing
Harbor 2 | Alternative Credentials | Strategic | Tag: Policy
The University of Central Florida (UCF) and North Carolina State University (NC State) are forging paths for alternative credentialing by (1) developing comprehensive definitions related to non-degree credentialing, (2) recommending policies and procedures for creating and issuing credentials, (3) recommending ways to integrate credentials into existing processes, (4) recommending digital platforms for managing credentials, and (5) developing a plan for implementing non-degree credentials at scale. In this lively discussion, we will share our processes, the frameworks we developed, and the opportunities and challenges we see in the non-degree space.
- Thomas Cavanagh, University of Central Florida
- Julie Shankle, University of Central Florida
- Mark Bernhard, North Carolina State University
- Jessica White, North Carolina State University
- Dan Gerger, North Carolina State University
Stop & Share Sessions
Harbor 1
Attendees are invited to stop in, mill about, and engage in these dynamic, demonstration-type conversations hosted by presenters ready to share ideas on a hot topic, best practice, or technological innovation.
The Benefits of a Partnership Model vs. Creating your Own Alternative Credentials
Alternative Credentials | Strategic |
Alternative credentials have become integral for academic institutions seeking to keep pace with today’s rapidly changing educational landscape. This panel will feature insights from leaders at the University of Massachusetts Global and the University of South Florida and explore: - Considerations for building or partnering to launch alternative credentials - The benefits of working with a partnership to accelerate content development and go-to-market in an ever-evolving tech landscape - How strategic partners providers enable institutions to expand their reach, diversify offerings, and prepare students for the future of work
- Colin Lumsden, Springboard
- Mark Koulianos, University of South Florida
- Richardo Lorenzana, University of Massachusetts Global
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| 3:00 PM |
Networking Break: Visit Exhibit Hall |
| 3:30 PM |
Concurrent Sessions VI - Workshops |
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Workshops utlize extended time (70 min) to provide deep dives for participants to be actively, tangibly engaged in their own learning via collaboration and hands-on interaction.
Advancing Digital Credentials: Collaborative Strategies for Building University-Industry-Military Partnerships
Marina II | Alternative Credentials | Applied |
This session examines how our universities successfully bridge the gap between academic programs and real-world employment needs. It highlights our approach to creating customized training, both for credit and non-credit, in collaboration with industry and military partners. One initiative presented in the session aligns with Department of Defense requirements, aiding veterans in their transition to civilian careers while underscoring the growing importance of digital credentials in higher education and professional development. How can GI and KOOL funds be utilized for these programs?
- Beth Rhoades, Weber State Univesrity
- James Hedges, Weber University
- Lisa Verma, Louisiana State University
- Patricia Cook, The Univeristy of Arizona, Continuing & Professional Education
- Susan Leighton, Villanova University, College of Professional Studies
- Kelli Harrison, Louisiana State University
From Learning to Earning 101! Understanding and Creating Skills Frameworks
Harbor 1 | Alternative Credentials | Foundational | Tag: Faculty
During this workshop, we will walk participants through multiple exercises to help them understand skills research, skill statement creation, credentialing frameworks, and adherence to open standards. As we leverage work accomplished through the Open Skills Network (OSN), we realize many individuals are overwhelmed with the information and need help understanding how to leverage the published skills collections in multiple libraries. The workshop will equip participants with the knowledge to capitalize on this rich data. Then participants will put their skills to the test by creating their own Rich Skills Descriptors (RSDs) and tagging the appropriate metadata to meet Open Standards requirements. The second half will focus on packing those RSDs into meaningful micro-credentials. Participants will develop a set of criteria to place in their framework to ensure credential value, quality, and relevancy.
- Kacey Thorne, Western Governors University
- Tyson Heath, Western Governors University
- Racheal Killian, Western Governors University
UPCEA's Credential Innovation Consortium: Preliminary Outcomes, Building Capacity, Expanding Pathways
Harbor 2 | Alternative Credentials | Strategic |
Join this multifaceted workshop featuring participants of UPCEA’s inaugural Credential Innovation Consortium, as we share results to date from a grant-funded project “Building Capacity, Expanding Pathways: Accelerating the Growth of Credential Innovation in Higher Education.” Through the project, UPCEA is using market research tied to employer needs and a peer learning approach to help universities and colleges develop scalable business and program models for delivery of noncredit, short-term credentials, developed in tandem with industry. In this dynamic session, highlights of the market research results and peer learning approach will be shared, and members of the pilot consortium will describe their experiences to date. The session will also offer facilitated, small-group conversation around challenges, opportunities, capacity-building, as well as ample time for questions.
- Aaron Brower, UPCEA
- Tonya Amankwatia, North Carolina A&T
- Benjamin Brand, University of North Texas
- Susan Zukowski, National University
- Stacy Chiaramonte, UPCEA
- Bruce Etter, UPCEA
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| 4:45 PM |
Ask Me Anything Lounges |
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Harbor 1
In these optional, small-group conversations, leaders will host informal, table-based, come-and-go discussions around some of the most pressing topics (and conundra!) facing UPCEAns today, such as "Change Management;" "Leading in the Age of AI;” “Launching Micro-credentials;” and more. Come and chat, find your peoples, make plans for dinner, or simply meet new friends. |
