Program | 2026 UPCEA Annual Conference

New(ish) to the UPCEA Annual Conference? Let’s connect. Kick off your conference with good conversations and great company. Whether you’re brand-new to UPCEA or making your return, this session is your chance to get oriented without the stress. You’ll learn a few insider tips for navigating the conference, meet attendees who are also building their networks, and get to know leaders who can point you toward the sessions, and people most relevant to your work. Plus, you’ll leave with a few new contacts (and maybe even lunch plans) before the conference is fully underway.

• Award Presentation: Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership

Fast-Tracking Degrees: Agility & PM Lessons from PUO’s Launch Team
Churchill C2 | Program Planning and Implementation | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
Before 2023, launching a new online degree at Purdue University could take two or more years due to institutional and state-level approval processes. In this session, Purdue University Online will share how we overhauled our New Program Development process to bring two interdisciplinary degrees to market in under six months. By strengthening collaboration with campus and operational partners and applying project management discipline, we achieved record speed. We’ll outline key strategies, process improvements, and lessons learned to help accelerate new online program development.

• Bryan DeWitt, Purdue University
• Chris Martin, Purdue University

Moderator: Tony Fell, Collegis Education

When ‘Build It and They’ll Come’ Stops Working – Leveraging Labor Market Insights and Strategic Partnerships to Fuel Enrollment Growth
Grand Ballroom C | Graduate | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Graduate Education
In today’s competitive and evolving higher education landscape, institutions must adopt a proactive, data-informed approach to drive graduate and adult learner enrollment. This session explores how aligning academic programs with real-time labor market trends and strategic industry partnerships can fuel sustainable growth. Attendees will learn a practical framework for evaluating and optimizing program portfolios, identifying high-opportunity areas, and building collaborations that enhance both enrollment and career outcomes. Featuring insights from EAB and Loyola University New Orleans, alongside OHIO Online’s success in forging impactful workforce partnerships, this session offers actionable strategies and real-world examples to help institutions thrive in a demand-driven market.

• Val Fox, EAB
• Beth Donaldson, EAB
• Paul Cesarini, Loyola University New Orleans
• Kathy Wilson, Ohio University
• Natalie Wittmann, Ohio University

Moderator: Jessica DuPont, Oregon State University

Transforming System-Wide Online Learning: Three Pathways to Excellence
Marlborough A | Online Administration | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
Join leaders from three major higher education systems as they share their approaches to transforming online education at scale. This session explores how the City University of New York (CUNY), the Colorado Community College System, and Alamo Colleges District are each navigating the complex journey of system-wide digital learning transformation—from launch through growth and evolution. Online leaders share insights from their cross-system effort, offering perspectives on lessons learned, persistent challenges, and strategies for scaling sustainable, student-centered programs. Discover how these three systems address common goals—expanding access, ensuring quality, and supporting student success—through strategic organizational change, enhanced support services, and evolving leadership structures. Whether you're launching, scaling, or transforming your online offerings, you'll gain practical strategies and comparative insights applicable to your institutional context.

• Olena Zhadko, City University of New York
• Renee McGarry, City University of New York
• Tina Parscal, Colorado Community College System
• Luke Dowden, Alamo Community Colleges District

Moderator: Ann Taylor, Penn State University

Federal Policy Update: A New Era for Higher Education and the Federal Government
Grand Ballroom D | Business and Operations | Strategic | Tag(s): Policy
As higher education has faced and will face a pivotal year in federal policymaking, this session will examine the latest legislative and regulatory changes shaping the landscape for online and professional continuing education. Join national policy experts for an in-depth review of recent and anticipated developments—from Title IV regulations and financial aid changes to accreditation standards, workforce funding initiatives, and emerging compliance requirements coming from recent negotiated rulemaking. Designed for senior administrators and policy leaders, this strategic-level discussion will explore the practical implications for U.S. universities, providing the context, analysis, and foresight you need to align institutional priorities with the new era of federal engagement in higher education.

• Jordan DiMaggio, UPCEA
• Bridget Beville, University of Phoenix

Moderator: Corina Caraccioli, Louisiana State University

Leading the AI-Ready Campus
Churchill D | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This session empowers institutional leaders to create a unified AI strategy that seamlessly integrates every critical area—from admissions and marketing to enrollment and student support. You’ll learn how to leverage data-driven insights to assess your institution’s readiness and gain a practical framework for cross-campus collaboration and implementation. Designed for those ready to move beyond fragmented strategies, this session provides the tools to align teams, uncover high-impact opportunities and drive meaningful, scalable AI adoption.

• Karina Kogan, EducationDynamics
• Blake Faulkner, Miami University
• Josh McCarthy, Johnson & Wales University

Moderator: Karina Kogan, EducationDynamics

Realities Re-Imagined: How Universities are Thriving Through Reassessment
Churchill C1 | Business and Operations | Strategic |
The landscape of higher education is shifting rapidly, demanding bold reassessment of how institutions deliver value, serve learners, and remain sustainable. Enrollment challenges, shifting demographics, AI, alternative credentials, and new competitors are reshaping realities once thought fixed. This panel brings together higher education leaders who have embraced reassessment as a catalyst for thriving. Panelists will share practical strategies for rethinking tuition models, online and hybrid portfolios, workforce education, student engagement, and organizational structures. Attendees will gain candid insights into what works, what doesn’t, and leave with strategies to re-imagine operations, partnerships, and learner-centered pathways aligned with the future of work.

• Brian Harfe, University of Florida
• Melissa Mahan, The University of Texas at San Antonio
• Nico Rose, University of Florida

Moderator: Abby Wernicki, CSU Global

Small Team, Big Impact: Building a Scalable Partner Engagement System
Marlborough B | Community and Economic Engagement | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
When your team is small but the goals are big, every connection counts. Learn how Mississippi State University’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies built a scalable partner engagement system that transforms individual contacts into long-term, measurable partnerships. By centralizing data, tracking relationship growth, and making it simple for faculty and staff to contribute, the system links partnerships directly to enrollment and engagement outcomes. See real examples with industry and community college partners, discover tools for consistent follow-up and reporting, and leave with ready-to-use templates and a framework you can adapt to make your own partnerships intentional and impactful.

• Maddie Ludt, Mississippi State University
• Sean Owen, Mississippi State University

Moderator: Shauna Cox, Modern Campus

Smarter, Scalable, Intentional: Balancing AI in Course and Program Design
Churchhill B1 | eDesign Collaborative | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
AI in higher education design is no longer just about generating content, it’s about making smarter decisions and scaling impact—even when resources are limited. In this session, participants will explore ways that human expertise remains essential, ways that AI creates value, and how to balance both for sustainable innovation. An AI-enabled design platform demonstrates how institutions can efficiently scale from course to program development, map outcomes across levels, and produce accreditation-ready documentation in record time. Building on this, the ROTI  framework helps faculty and designers optimize time, scope, and quality for greater efficiency and collaboration. Through interactive simulations and practical tools, attendees will leave with frameworks, rubrics, and actionable strategies to accelerate design workflows without sacrificing instructional quality.

• Lord Giddie, National Louis University
• KC Coburn, Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Carrie O'Donnell, Alchemy
• Courtney Hebert, Louisiana State University
• Jennifer Morrisette, Louisiana State University

Moderator: Liz Davie, Creighton University

The University at a Crossroads: Navigating Relevance in a Skills-Based Future
Churchill A | Online Administration | Strategic |
As skills-based hiring reshapes the global workforce, generative AI redefines how we access knowledge, and the federal landscape grows increasingly uncertain, universities face urgent questions about their role, relevance, and resilience. In this timely and candid session, senior academic leaders explore how lifelong learning can serve as a stabilizing force—preserving the degree’s enduring value while accelerating innovation. How can institutions respond to shifting demands with agility and integrity? Join a forward-thinking conversation on reimagining credentials, scaling access, supporting faculty, and leading with purpose in a future shaped by volatility, opportunity, and transformation.

• James DeVaney, University of Michigan
• Carissa Little, Stanford University
• Kelly Otter, Georgetown University
• Quentin McAndrew, Coursera for Campus

Moderator: Quentin McAndrew, Coursera for Campus

The Senior CE Leader As CEO: Positioning and Practicality
Churchill B2 | Business and Operations | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
It’s been said (often with much angst) that the senior CE leader’s position is akin to one of CEO. Is this fact, or fiction? Whatever the title, Dean, Vice Provost/Chancellor, COLO, etc., this individual’s experience in innovation, multi-stakeholder management, financial leadership, culture development, talent management and enterprise-scale strategy is directly relevant and valuable for CEO roles in both education and non-education sectors. Senior CE leaders bring a unique blend of entrepreneurial orientation, adaptability, and mission-driven leadership qualities, and often have to manage through complexity, crisis and politics. Drawing on the experiences and insights gained over a 25-year career in nontraditional higher education, this presenter will unpack the realities of the role and offer specific advice for navigating this rewarding yet challenging career path.

• Nancy Coleman, Harvard University
• Rob Bruce, Rice University
• Richard Russo, University of Califorina, Berkeley

Moderator: Amy Heitzman, UPCEA

Bridging Borders: Innovative Partnerships Between U.S. and Global Universities
Prince of Wales | International | Foundational |
As global demand for flexible, high-quality graduate education grows, partnership models are becoming essential to expanding access and reach. This panel of UPCEA International Network members will share emerging practices in cross-border collaboration, including insights inspired by SDSU Global Campus’s GlobalFlex approach, which reimagines hybrid graduate pathways for international learners. Panelists will discuss innovative strategies and opportunities for building partnerships which support culturally responsive learning experiences that support student success across borders. Through diverse examples and lessons learned, the session highlights how collaborative models are advancing access to high-quality online degrees and certificates worldwide.

• Mahasweta Sarkar, San Diego State University
• Lindsay Vance, San Diego State University
• Mieke Ridderhof, Drieam
• John Cribbin, The University of Hong Kong

Moderator: Patty Milner, University of Arkansas

Roundtables
Grand Ballroom AB
In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with up to two different topics during small-group, 30-minute, table-based guided discussion around a specific and timely topic, question, or issue. Roundtables are designed to provide space and time to important but particularly nuanced topics which deserve attention, and presenters will promote the sharing of thoughts, solutions, and questions among their respective table’s attendees.

Moderator: Jill Boatright, Loyola University of New Orleans

“It’s OK, It’s Fair Use” and Other Considerations in Online Accessibility and Copyright
Online Administration | Foundational |
Over five years, a university quality assurance team conducted 1,800 evaluations of online courses for digital accessibility and copyright. Reviews identified consistent issues—such as improperly formatted PDFs, and use of images under Fair Use—that spanned departments and years. These findings led to improved record-keeping, enhancing of training offerings, and a streamlining of internal procedures. This presentation shares key insights and strategies developed from these evaluations, offering practical insight for other institutions aiming to strengthen sustainable and effective quality assurance practices in online course management.

• Audon Archibald, University of North Texas
• Tania Heap, University of North Texas

An Emerging Trend in Online Program Staffing
Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
As online education continues to evolve beyond emergency remote learning paradigms, institutions face the critical challenge of creating engaging, effective digital learning experiences that rival traditional classroom instruction. This presentation examines the strategic expansion and integration of specialized design roles within Villanova University's Office of Online Programs, demonstrating how a multidisciplinary approach combining three unique teams can transform online program delivery and faculty collaboration. The focus of the conversation is centered around Design Thinking and how it guides our internal processes, along with our work with external stakeholders.

• Brian Gall, Villanova University

Beyond Enrollment: Building Online Programs Students Actually Want
Online Administration | Strategic | Tag(s): Graduate Education
As leaders of online programs face mounting pressure to adapt to enrollment shifts and evolving learner expectations, grounding decisions in student-driven data is essential. This session leverages insights from the 15th annual Voice of the Online Learner survey to help you align your online strategy with what modern learners truly value.

• Tekoya Boykins, Risepoint
• Tim Wall, Northwest Missouri State University

Boosting Learner Engagement with Interactive Video
eDesign Collaborative | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
Discover how interactive video transforms passive viewing into active learning, boosting learner engagement and improving learning outcomes in online and professional education. We'll present a data-driven approach, including findings from a Forrester TEI study on the ROI of interactive video tools. The roundtable will cover practical strategies and real-world examples for integrating these tools into your courses, providing actionable insights for educators and leaders.

• Ashton Robbins, PlayPosit (powered by WeVideo)
• Amanda Rosezweig, Delgado Community College

Breaking the (Traditional) Mold: How TESU Leverages Partnerships to Excite and Ignite Student Success
Community and Economic Engagement | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Join Thomas Edison State University (TESU) and Sophia Learning to learn how to effectively leverage partnerships to eliminate student retention and completion barriers. Attendees will walk away with clear ideas and examples of how to apply these strategies at their home institution.

• Vanessa Bush, Sophia Learning
• Thomas Phillips, Thomas Edison State University
• Kelli Parlante-Givas, Thomas Edison State University

Title II is Here: Operationalizing Accessibility Governance Across the Institution
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
As ADA Title II establishes clear federal compliance requirements for digital accessibility across LMS platforms, course materials, student portals, and third-party tools, institutions must ensure their governance models are aligned and enforceable. This roundtable presentation, featuring Bryan Aylward and Dr. Allison Rief, examines how universities can strengthen existing accessibility governance structures, clarify cross-functional ownership, and align procurement, instructional design, and faculty support within a cohesive compliance framework. Participants will consider how accessibility compliance can be integrated into existing academic leadership structures, faculty relationships, and institutional systems without disrupting core mission and culture while reinforcing long-term institutional readiness.

• Bryan Aylward, University of Arizona Global Campus
• Allison Rief, University of Arizona Global Campus
• Daniel Kalef, OES (Online Education Services)
• Annie Phalen, OES (Online Education Services)

Catch 'Em & Keep 'Em
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
We’re all looking for that ‘trophy’ recruiting class, but how do we make it sustainable? This session uses fishing metaphors to explore effective strategies for both recruiting and retaining college students. Presenters from LSU Online will share how to attract students with the right messaging, engage them personally, and support them through graduation. Emphasizing the importance of cross-functional collaboration, the session highlights how coordinated efforts between recruitment and retention teams lead to sustainable student success.

• Amy Delatte, Louisiana State University
• Allison Verhine, Louisiana State University

CLARA: Centralized Lifecycle Automation for Resource Administration
Business and Operations | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Montclair State University presents CLARA (Centralized Lifecycle Automation for Resource Administration), an enterprise operations framework for deploying specialized AI Agents to transform financial aid operations—reducing processing time by 40% while improving student retention. The session contrasts CLARA's modular, agentic AI approach with traditional LLM solutions, demonstrating how focused agents can be rapidly deployed, easily modified, and scaled across the enterprise. Attendees receive actionable CLARA blueprints, ROI models, and governance frameworks to replicate this success in enrollment management and beyond, from HR to registrar operations.

• Wendy Lin-Cook, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• David Chun, Montclair State University

Closing the Chapter: Managing Online Program Deactivation Without Disrupting Student Success
Online Administration | Strategic | Tag(s): Policy
As institutions evolve, academic programs must sometimes be phased out—but without a clear strategy, program deactivation can create uncertainty for students, faculty, and staff. This session provides a high level practical roadmap for sunsetting online programs while prioritizing student success and operational continuity. Drawing from UAGC’s experience in managing program closures, this presentation will explore best practices for strategic communication, student advising, catalog and system updates, and faculty management. Attendees will learn how to leverage Canvas & the Faculty Portal as a central communication hub to provide clear guidance, track student progress, and ensure seamless transitions to alternative degree pathways. Additionally, the session will highlight faculty and staff considerations, ensuring instructional quality remains intact while maintaining institutional integrity.

• Bryan Aylward, University of Arizona Global Campus

Connecting the Dots: Employee Success Through Coaching, Management, and Culture
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Let’s connect the dots! Explore how consistent coaching, comprehensive management, and a strong team culture come together to increase employee success in a hybrid work environment. Join a Quality Assurance Team as they walk through their approach to coaching sessions, scoring methods, and the key data tools that drive continuous improvement. Hear from an Enrollment Counselor Manager as they share how performance dashboards and targeted professional development empower staff to reach their goals. The session will also highlight how a supportive and connected culture is maintained across a hybrid team, ensuring collaboration and engagement remain strong.

• Kaslynn Westerman, University of Arizona
• Alison Doran, University of Arizona
• Kristina Giovannucci, University of Arizona

Course Mapping: A Strategy for Timely and Supported Course Delivery
Business and Operations | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy
This session will demonstrate SMUMN's dual approach to course mapping and readiness. The session will outline workflows, reporting tools, cleanup strategies, formulas, and, the reports, the cleanup strategy, formulas used, and inter-department communication. The session will also demonstrate an alternative process by which faculty can import content themselves. Participants will also learn about tutorials and help guides that were created to walk faculty step-by-step through the Canvas Import function. These two processes ensure that faculty receive their course content promptly, with sufficient turnaround time for cleanup before students gain access to courses.

• Garey Gill, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Creating An In-House OPM - Strategies For Success
Business and Operations | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
This talk will introduce the online OPM partnership landscape in UK higher education and then outline why University of the Arts London is building this capability in-house. The presenter will discuss what universities might consider as they grow and scale their internal provision, and strategies for ensuring that online and professional education remains a high priority within our organisations.

• Anna Wood, University of the Arts London

Creating Neurodiverse-Affirming Adult Learning Spaces
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
Neurodivergence is an inclusive term that values neurological differences, such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, rather than viewing them as deficits. In higher education, traditional teaching methods often fail to accommodate neurodivergent students. These challenges can be further pronounced in online environments, where physical cues and in-person interactions are limited. To create inclusive and supportive learning environments, affirming neurodivergence in online classrooms is essential. This workshop will engage participants in strategies for implementing such practices, with a focus on flexibility, varied communication and engagement expectations, strengths-based assessment, and support for student well-being.

• Delila Omerbasic, Tulane University
• Rebecca Carr, Tulane University
• AJ Durand, Tulane University

Designing for AI Fluency: A collaborative reframing of Bloom’s Taxonomy
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
Generative AI is redefining deep learning design, challenging educators and technologists to go beyond content delivery toward fostering AI literacy, ethical reasoning, and adaptability. This interactive session introduces a reframed Bloom’s Taxonomy for the AI era, transforming a classic cognitive framework into a practical design toolkit. Using real-world examples from institutions already embedding AI literacy, participants will explore updated cognitive levels and map them to outcomes, assignments, and assessments. Through small-group collaboration, attendees will co-design objectives, activities, and rubrics that leverage AI while maintaining human-centered pedagogy, leaving with adaptable templates, tested strategies, and a shared framework for ongoing collaboration.

• Lisa Clark, Blackboard
• Michelle Morrison, Marshall University

Detecting 21st-Century Skills Predicting Success in an Online Graduate Program
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Graduate Education
This session introduces an AI-based model that predicts student success in online graduate programs by combining 21st-century skill indicators with comprehensive academic and demographic background data. Using 5,067 letters of recommendation from 1,691 applicants to a STEM-focused master’s program, machine learning models reveal how skills like creativity, teamwork, and leadership influence both GPA and persistence. Feature importance analysis highlights the value of integrating soft skills with traditional metrics to better understand student potential. Attendees will learn how this approach supports more holistic, data-informed, and inclusive admissions decisions in scalable online environments.

• Jeonghyun Lee, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Ronnie Godshalk, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Meryem Yilmaz Soylu, Georgia Institute of Technology

From Simulation Labs to Financial Literacy: Designing High-Impact Courses at Scale
eDesign Collaborative | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
Explore cross-disciplinary approaches to designing high-impact courses at scale. This roundtable shares lessons from two case studies: an online Simulation in Nursing Education course and a campus-wide Financial Wellness course. Participants will engage in two activities, a “Before & After Instructional Design” review and a “Challenge & Solution Swap,” to uncover strategies for managing timelines, diverse learners, and multi-expert collaboration.

• Megan Slatton, Auburn University
• Sydney Bassett, Auburn University
• Meghan Jones, Auburn University
• Carrie Leffler, Auburn University

Investing in Innovation: Establishing the Online Student Success Initiative Fund
Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
According to the 2024 Leading Academic Change National Survey 2.0, the average university budget for innovation is now $4.5 million, up from $522 thousand in 2014. While investing in innovation is a noted priority for most universities, the tricky part is determining processes and programs for meaningfully prioritizing innovative projects and research. The Online Student Success Initiative Fund (OSSIF) offers the opportunity for staff and faculty from The University of Arizona Global Campus and Arizona Online to submit proposals to conduct research and pursue publication of findings relating to online student success and learning. UAGC funds up to $100,000 in projects each year via this initiative. Initial supported projects include research on effective online teaching and learning practices, implementation of open educational resources into the student experience, impacts of synchronous learning opportunities, and funding a project employing in-person student workers on the University of Arizona campus. Findings and additional details about these projects will be shared with attendees if interested. We’ll discuss work completed to setup the program, including establishing a committee to oversee the fund and a submission and review process. Attendees will be encouraged to share strategies for funding innovation at their own institutions, including successes and areas of opportunity.

• Cole McFarren, University of Arizona Global Campus

Not Just for Undergrads: Career Readiness in Professional & Continuing Education
Program Planning and Implementation | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Most experiential learning programs target traditional undergraduate or graduate students, leaving continuing and professional education learners with fewer opportunities. This session presents an innovative, reciprocal model connecting certificate/credential-seeking students with local employers. The model enables employers to upskill their workforce, recruit program completers, and share expertise in the classroom, while students gain hands-on, real-world experience. Attendees will explore how the model enriches learning, addresses workforce needs, and can be implemented in their own institutions and communities.

• Edwin Blanton, University of Texas at San Antonio
• Martha Gutierrez Saul, University of Texas at San Antonio

One Team, One Voice: Reimagining Your Marketing Team for Scalable, Sustainable Marketing Operations
Business and Operations | Foundational |
Navigating tightening budgets and growing complexity, NC State's marketing and communications team reimagined a shared services model for its Continuing and Lifelong Education, and Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications divisions. This bold move aligned brand voice and maximized resources. By strategically shifting staff, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and adopting a flexible "one-team" model, they streamlined operations, built trust, and reduced vendor reliance. This session will showcase how they optimized processes and invested in professional development without sacrificing creativity. Attendees will receive actionable frameworks for redesigning marketing departments, enhancing collaboration between enrollment and marketing teams, and scaling talent development in lean environments.

• Jennifer Kendall, North Carolina State University
• Katie Bean, North Carolina State University

Reimagining Student Engagement & Career Services: Building Job-Ready Minicourses
Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
As institutions seek scalable, workforce-aligned learning experiences, Penn State World Campus has developed asynchronous, non-credit mini-courses designed to equip student leaders with practical career readiness skills. This session explores university wide collaboration to modules grounded in the career competencies sought by employers. The courses offer a structured learning experience focusing on communication, EQ, cultural competence, and professionalism. Presenters will share insights from the curriculum development process, implementation strategies, and pilot data collected from student leaders at the university. This session is ideal for educators and student affairs professionals seeking replicable models to enhance student leadership or career readiness initiatives.

• Lynn Atanasoff, Penn State University
• Julie Fitzgerald, Penn State University

From Idea to 22,000 Microcredentials: Syracuse’s Credit & Non-Credit Journey
Marlborough A | Credential Innovation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
Learn how Syracuse University built and scaled a university-wide microcredentialing program that now spans non-credit and credit-bearing offerings, including degrees and certificates. Leaders from the Office of Microcredentials will share their governance model, design framework, and expansion strategy — as well as how they’ve used analytics to measure engagement, prove ROI, and boost adoption. Attendees will gain practical ideas to improve governance, design, adoption, and measurement in their own programs.

• Arthur Thomas, Syracuse University
• Allison Roth, Syracuse University
• Dan Theckston, Accredible

Moderator: Susan Leighton, Villanova University

Building a Culture of Philanthropy, Part II: From Vision to Action in Continuing and Professional Education
Marlborough B | Business and Operations | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
This session explores how UVA SCPS advanced from vision to implementation in building a culture of philanthropy. Dean Melissa Lubin and Jessica Robertson share strategies, lessons, and tools for embedding fundraising into the fabric of continuing and professional education.

• Melissa Lubin, University of Virginia
• Jessica Robertson, University of Virginia

Moderator: Dean Gething, Carnegie

“Hire” Education: Turning Learning Pathways into Real-World Success
Grand Ballroom C | Credential Innovation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
How can colleges and universities more effectively connect learning to careers? This session highlights innovative strategies for aligning higher education with evolving workforce demands. Drawing on proven practices from institutions, employers, and workforce leaders, we’ll explore how to co-create education-to-employment pipelines that drive measurable outcomes. Participants will leave with actionable insights into leveraging Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) resources, engaging employers in program design, and building digital pathways that foster career readiness, mobility, and long-term success

• Suzanne Carbonaro, 1EdTech Consortium
• Ronnie Godshalk, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Marc Booker, University of Phoenix

Moderator: Hillary Dyer Brannon, University of South Carolina

A Dickensian Look at Digital Learning: COLOs Confront the Ghosts of Past, Present, and Future Transformation
Grand Ballroom D | Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Join Chief Online Learning Officers for a Dickensian journey through digital learning’s past, present, and future. Panelists reflect on lessons from rapid online expansion, today’s realities of AI, accessibility, and enrollment pressures, and the bold bets shaping higher education’s digital transformation. Through candid dialogue and real-world examples, they’ll explore how authentic leadership, data-informed strategy, and inclusive design are redefining the future of online learning—revealing what to leave behind, what to build now, and what futures to imagine next.

• Kim Siegenthaler, University of Hawaii System
• Nancy Coleman, Harvard University
• Cheryl Murphy, University of Arkansas
• Lisa Templeton, Oregon State University Ecampus
• Thomas Cavanagh, University of Central Florida
• Bettyjo Bouchey, University of Vermont

Moderator: Jocelyn Widmer, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Scaling Learning and Employment Records: Building Partner Ecosystems that Connect Credentials to Workforce
Churchill A | Credential Innovation | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Learning and Employment Records (LERs) are emerging as a framework to connect education with workforce needs. This session highlights two institutional approaches to building scalable LER partner ecosystems. Georgia Tech will share lessons from aligning non-degree digital credentials within its College of Lifetime Learning, including its taxonomy development, governance structures, and employer partnerships. Morgan State University, in collaboration with Territorium, will present a strategic model for integrating Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) into LERs, grounded in interoperability standards and focused on validating experiential learning. Together, these perspectives illustrate how institutions can build robust digital credential strategies that connect classroom, workplace, and lifelong learning.

• Keisha Campbell, Morgan State University
• Nicole Westrick, Morgan State University
• Keith Look, Territorium
• Veronica (Ronnie) Godshalk, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Eric Sembrat, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Dora Smith, Siemens

Moderator: Warren Goetzel, Georgia Institute of Technology

AI in Action: Leading People and Transforming Operations with AI Intelligence
Prince of Wales | Business and Operations | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
AI is transforming how higher education operates, from student services to internal collaboration. But success depends on both the tools we adopt and the people who lead their use. This session combines an institutional case study and workforce-focused perspective to help leaders harness AI effectively. Cal State Channel Islands will share how it used chatbots, Airtable AI, and other tools to streamline operations, improve student support, and make data-informed decisions despite limited resources. Element451 will then explore how every staff member—across admissions, advising, and beyond—must learn to delegate to AI “teammates” with clarity, context, and trust. Together, these perspectives provide a roadmap for integrating AI sustainably while building a culture of confidence and leadership in AI adoption.

• Ty Fujimura, Element451
• Lenell Hahn, Southeastern Missouri State University
• Jill Leafstedt, California State University, Channel Islands
• Jaime Hannans, California State University, Channel Islands
• Jaqueline Connell, California State University, Channel Islands

Moderator: Anne Tai, Rice University

Global Partnerships for Empowerment: From Grassroots Initiatives to Corporate Collaboration
Cambridge | Community and Economic Engagement | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Partnerships—whether grassroots or corporate—can transform lives and communities by expanding access to education and opportunity. This session highlights two powerful international models of how higher education drives inclusive growth. The American University in Cairo’s School of Continuing Education, with 100 years of serving the community, will share how partnerships with corporations across multiple sectors have supported women’s empowerment, teacher training in rural Egypt, and healthcare workforce development. The University of Wisconsin–Whitewater will present an ongoing collaboration with a nonprofit in Guatemala that empowers indigenous women through entrepreneurial training, microloans, and student engagement across disciplines. Together, these case studies illustrate how partnerships of different scales can amplify impact, build sustainability, and advance mobility. Attendees will gain actionable insights to design, adapt, and implement partnership-based initiatives that connect student learning with community empowerment around the world.

• Jodie Parys, University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
• Doaa Salem, The American University in Cairo
• Ahmed Marzouk, The American University in Cairo

Moderator: Jesus Rosario, Coursera

Winning AI Search: Strategies from LSU, Harvard, Tufts & Search Influence
Churchill C1 | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied |
AI is reshaping how prospective students search and which institutions they see first. Hear from LSU Online, Tufts University, and the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, on strategies that increased their visibility during rapid changes in AI search. Search Influence will share UPCEA research on AI’s impact on student decision-making, trends from higher ed clients, and how to adapt SEO for Google’s AI Overviews and ChatGPT. Leave with actionable strategies to win in AI search and keep your institution front and center in the prospect journey.

• Drew Larose, Louisiana State University
• Tara Pope, Harvard University
• Alison Zeringue, Search Influence
• Paula French, Search Influence

Moderator: Lakitia Avery, Kent State University

From LMS to Ecosystem: Elevating the Digital Learning Experience
Churchill C2 | Online Administration | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
This panel explores how institutions are moving beyond traditional LMS use to build connected digital learning ecosystems. Drawing on national faculty survey data and real-world case studies, panelists will share how they’re supporting faculty, improving student engagement, and aligning digital tools with broader academic and workforce goals. Attendees will gain practical insights into rethinking instructional technology strategy to better support teaching, learning, and institutional outcomes.

• Cira Montoya Olson, University of Texas at El Paso
• Barbara Kopp Miller, The University of Toledo
• Niki Whiteside, San Jacinto College

Moderator: Justin Louder, Blackboard

Operationalizing AI Without Starting a Campus War
Churchill D | Strategic |
Most institutions aren’t debating whether AI is coming anymore. The real challenge is how to move from conversation to action—without triggering faculty resistance, student distrust, or governance gridlock. This session is designed for leaders who want practical direction—not theory—on how to operationalize AI responsibly and effectively. This panel features contributing authors and the co-editor of the book AI Applications in Online Higher Education Administration: Strategies for Maximizing Returns and Improving Outcomes, sharing concrete lessons drawn from real campus implementations. The focus is on decisions leaders are making right now: what to pilot first, how to structure light-touch governance, and how to frame AI as support rather than surveillance. Panelists will walk through examples of AI pilots that stuck (and ones that didn’t), how they navigated internal resistance, and what they would do differently if starting today. We’ll also discuss when to move publicly—and when to test quietly. You’ll leave with clear next steps, practical language you can use immediately, and a simple framework for launching AI initiatives that deliver value—without starting a war.

• Kathleen Ives, UPCEA
• Alyssa Wray, University of the Pacific
• Patrice Torcivia Prusko, University of Michigan
• Phil Ice, CampusWorks

Moderator: Ray Schroeder, UPCEA

UPCEA TALK: AI and Course Design
Churchill B2
UPCEA Talks are quickfire introductions of an idea by a single presenter, designed to offer quick forays into critical topics, where multiple viewpoints are essential. Four Talks are scheduled in this one, hour-long concurrent session, in sequence, guided by a moderator who will help with flow and facilitate audience questions at the end.

Moderator: Tracy Miller, Northern Illinois University

AI as Co-Designer: Building Better Courses with Intelligent Tools
eDesign Collaborative | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
The arrival of generative AI in higher education has opened up new opportunities to streamline and enhance the course design process. This talk will explore how instructors and instructional designers can use AI tools to support the planning, development, and revision of courses—without sacrificing pedagogical quality or academic integrity. Participants will learn how AI can assist in aligning learning objectives with assessments, generating content scaffolding, supporting Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, and developing multimodal learning materials. We'll also examine how AI can be a collaborative partner in brainstorming assignment ideas, identifying potential gaps in course flow, and enhancing student engagement. Drawing from real use cases and hands-on experimentation, the talk will offer practical demonstrations of how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot can be leveraged to support decision-making and creativity in course development. Ethical considerations, including transparency, bias, and faculty agency, will be woven throughout the discussion.

• Jim Wentworth, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

AI’m Here for You: Supporting Instructors in the AI Era
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy
Since the release of ChatGPT, faculty across campuses have been asking: What does AI mean for my teaching, my students, and my scholarship? In this talk, you will learn ways to support faculty through the twists and turns of generative AI by curating resources, providing a variety of faculty development, and meeting faculty where they are in this process. Whether faculty are eager to dive in or still on the fence, you will leave with strategies to help them grow, connect, and confidently navigate this evolving landscape.

• Molly Hines, Creighton University

AI Collaboration for Real People: A Practical Resource Development Case Study
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Faculty
This talk demonstrates practical strategies for AI collaboration in faculty development resource creation. Attendees will learn specific techniques for maintaining quality and pedagogical integrity while leveraging AI tools to accelerate project timelines. The presentation covers prompt strategies, quality control frameworks, and methods for balancing AI efficiency with human expertise. Through real before-and-after examples, participants will see how AI partnership can enhance professional consulting practices without compromising educational standards. Ideal for faculty developers, instructional designers, and educational professionals seeking immediately applicable AI collaboration methods for resource creation, content revision, and project management under time constraints.

• Jenna Schmidt, Mississippi State University

AI on the Team: Real-Time Support for Instructional Designers
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
This talk explores a custom AI assistant that supports instructional designers by bridging expertise gaps with faculty and accelerating course prototyping. Attendees will experience a live demo, engage in interactive analysis, and gain a practical roadmap for using AI to enhance instructional design grounded in proven pedagogical frameworks.

• Carolyn Stoll, University of Cincinnati

Churchill B1

Building Job-Ready Graduates: How to Integrate Industry Credentials Into Healthcare Degree Programs
Employers want healthcare graduates who can prove their skills on day one, not just hold a degree. Many roles now expect certifications that show students can work with patient information, billing processes, and modern health technology. This session will share an easy to follow model for building certifications directly into healthcare degree programs so students are more competitive and job ready. Attendees will learn how to read labor market signals, choose the right credentials for their programs, and design curriculum that better aligns with real employer needs across health information, administrative, and support roles.

• Shiraz Sultan, AAPC

Does the Degree Still Have Value? Delivering Real ROI for Students
The value of the degree has been in question from the federal administration to parents to adult learners. Recent report from Ipsos, the gold-standard in global market research, shows that workforce-focused online programs receive a strong return on investment. Graduates saw a 19% salary increase one year after degree completion, 34% after three years. This presentation will share how the make-up of these programs achieve success with factors such as high-quality design driven by AI.

• Adam Fein, Risepoint

Why People Determine the Success of Digital Transformation in Continuing & Professional Education
Across institutions worldwide, one factor consistently determines whether new technologies truly deliver impact: people. While AI dominates the conversation, global evidence shows that successful digital transformation in continuing education depends on how well teams understand, adapt to, and collaborate around technology. This session shares insights from North America and Europe, highlighting how shared visioning, transparent processes, and cross-functional alignment lead to stronger outcomes in credentialing, process redesign, and learner experience. Participants will explore why adaptation, not adoption, is the true success metric, and gain a practical, human-centered framework for guiding technology-enabled change.

• Mieke Ridderhof, Eduframe by Drieam

Leading the Parade or Lost in the Crowd? Tracking AI Search Visibility
AI Overviews and tools have reshaped how prospective students search for programs—but most institutions don’t measure the impact. Without measurement, you can’t connect AI visibility to enrollment outcomes or make informed strategic decisions. In this session, we’ll show how to monitor AI visibility and search patterns, interpret the impact, and use the data to guide institutional strategy. You’ll leave with the confidence to see what’s working, spot gaps, and act in the age of AI-driven search.

• Will Scott, Search Influence

Mind the Gap: What Institutional Insights and Faculty Data Reveal About Higher Education’s Accessibility Readiness
Instructors want to support accessibility, but new data from Anthology shows they often lack the clarity, confidence, and tools to do so effectively. This session brings together findings from the Personalized Institutional Insights (PII) accessibility dashboards and the 2025 Anthology Thrive Survey to reveal the three most significant gaps limiting accessibility at scale across higher education. We will explore where faculty feel underprepared, where institutions lack visibility, and how data-informed strategies can turn compliance into culture. Attendees will leave with practical, research-backed approaches to coupling training and technology to create a sustainable, campus-wide accessibility ecosystem.

• Justin Louder, Blackboard

Open to all, Celebrating Women in Higher Education Breakfast is designed to bring together women across higher education for connection, reflection, and meaningful conversation during the UPCEA 2026 Annual Conference. This breakfast will be structured as a series of facilitated roundtable discussions. We’re making space for open dialogue, shared experience, and collective insight among peers shaping the future of the field. While the discussions will focus on the experiences, opportunities, and challenges facing women leaders, all conference attendees are welcome to participate and engage. Each table will be hosted by a facilitator who will help guide conversation, ensure everyone is included, and create a welcoming environment for thoughtful exchange. This is a special moment during the conference: a chance to build community, elevate women’s leadership, and spark conversations that extend beyond the room. Seating is limited.

• Event Host: Ilianna Kwaske, Tulane University

Start your day by connecting with colleagues at the Region Breakfasts: open to all attendees and organized by UPCEA Regions. These informal gatherings offer a chance to build relationships, share regional perspectives, and strengthen connections across the UPCEA community. The NEW Region Program Awards will be presented at each Region Breakfast.

Central
Grand Ballroom C

• Award Presentation: Central Region Program Award

Moderators:

• Fritz Vandover, University of Minnesota
• Shannon Owen, Grand Valley State University
• Jerry Rhead, Michigan State University

Mid-Atlantic
Grand Ballroom AB

• Award Presentation: Mid-Atlantic Region Program Award

Moderators:

• Nicole Westrick, Morgan State University
• Susan Leighton, Villanova University
• Nichole Henry, Syracuse University

New England
Churchill B2

• Award Presentation: New England Region Program Award

Moderators:

• Amy Feest, Southern Connecticut State University
• Michael Jones, University of Connecticut

South
Grand Ballroom D

• Award Presentation: South Region Program Award

Moderators:

• Amy King, William & Mary
• Carolyn Callaghan, Western Carolina University
• Brent McLemore, Stephen F. Austin State University
• Brian Crose, University of Southern Indiana
• Hillary Brannon, University of South Carolina
• Jennifer Ferrara, Texas A&M University
• Patty Milner, University of Arkansas
• Susan Seal, Mississippi State University
  

West
Churchhill A

• Award Presentation: West Region Program Award

Moderators:

• Cori Benz, Oregon State University Ecampus
• Marjaneh Gilpatrick, Northern Arizona University
• Inez Bush, California State University, Dominguez Hills
• Matthew Reimers, California State University, Long Beach
• Casey Rothenberger, San Diego State University

Opening Doors, Measuring Success: Expanding Access and Impact Through ASU’s Universal Learner Courses
Marlborough A | Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
Arizona State University’s Universal Learner Courses (ULCs) expand access to high-quality university courses for diverse learners worldwide. This session explores how ULCs, part of ASU’s Universal Pathways, have scaled to serve tens of thousands annually while maintaining academic rigor. Presenters will share strategies for program design, cross-unit collaboration, and faculty engagement, alongside the success metrics and analytics framework used to measure and improve learner outcomes. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for building and assessing inclusive, data-informed programs that align with institutional goals and meet the needs of a wide range of learners.

• Obiageli Sneed, Arizona State University
• Beatriz Fuentes-Anderson, Arizona State University

Moderator: Chris Anderson, InsideTrack

Revolutionizing Academic Advising: Using AI to Generate Actionable Course Insights for Student Success
Grand Ballroom D | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Graduate Education
Learn how Purdue University developed AI-powered advising reports that automatically extract actionable insights from course materials to enhance academic advising. This session covers the technical implementation, stakeholder engagement strategies, and measurable outcomes from piloting automated course analysis using large language models. Attendees will discover how this scalable solution improves student-course matching, reduces advisor workload, and enhances the student experience. We'll share practical implementation guidance, cost-benefit analysis, and strategies for replicating this across programs and adapting to different internal audiences.

• Eric de Araujo, Purdue University
• Jaylyn Learnard, Purdue University

Moderator: Jeanne Lobman, Search Influence

Intelligence Support Systems: Implementing AI in Efficient Online Program Development and Administration
Churchill B1 | Business and Operations | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
In this session, participants will explore an online program development cycle that covers several strategic areas and how AI tools can be used to make strategic and informed decisions during the process.

• Miko Nino, Rhode Island College
• Eunice Ofori, Tulane University
• Alicia Johnson, Virginia Tech

Moderator: John Falchi, LearningMate

Optimizing Instructional Design Workflows through Effective Project Management Systems
Churchill C2 | eDesign Collaborative | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Graduate Education
This presentation will explore how project management systems can optimize instructional design workflows, enhancing efficiency from planning and development to delivery. Attendees will learn about key components for system setup, selecting the right tools, integrating them into existing workflows, and strategies for boosting productivity and collaboration. Ideal for instructional designers, project managers, and academic leaders, this session offers insights and tools to streamline processes, reduce bottlenecks, and improve learning outcomes. Join us to transform your instructional design projects through effective project management.

• Jennifer Ferrara, Texas A&M University
• Camille Funk, Utah Valley University

Moderator: Mieke Ridderhof, Drieam

Building Success: A Holistic Model for International On-Campus Graduate Study
Prince of Wales | International | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
This session will explore a holistic model for supporting international students in accelerated on-campus graduate programs. Presenters will share lessons learned regarding strategies including cohort-based learning, integrated academic and co-curricular support, a customized orientation, and a corporate partnership that provides students with a real-world capstone experience. The session will also examine a targeted communication plan enhanced by AI-driven predictive modeling to improve yield and enrollment forecasting. Attendees will gain practical insights into how these coordinated efforts have contributed to a 98 percent retention and completion rate.

• Doug Bakker, Northwestern University

Moderator: Tiffany Chapman, Six Red Marbles

Designing and Teaching for Today’s Online Modalities: Strategies for Faculty Success
Grand Ballroom C | eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
Explore research-informed strategies for designing and teaching in today’s online and hybrid environments. Drawing from the forthcoming Teaching Online: A Practical Guide (5th ed., Routledge, 2026), this session addresses inclusive course design, aligning modalities with learning goals, preparing students for online learning, managing complex digital classrooms, and collaborating across departments and academic support units. Includes an open access chapter and guided peer dialogue.

• Susan Ko, University of Maryland Global Campus
• Olena Zhadko, City University of New York

Moderator: Carolyn Stoll, University of Cincinnati

Small Changes for Big Impact: Serving Graduate Students Through Cross-Campus Partnerships
Churchill B2 | Graduate | Foundational | Tag(s): Graduate Education
This session explores the impact of a coordinated, centralized effort to provide staff in graduate affairs type roles with their own community and network for support, resources, and information. Participants will engage in a guided interactive exercise to identify their graduate student attributes and to better understand their opportunities to influence small changes in their organization to create a big impact on student support.

• Jessica McCarthy, Boston University

Moderator: Kristin Marengo, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Enrollment Mystery Shopping: From Inquiry Experience to Actionable Improvements
Churchill D | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied |
Enrollment mystery shopping reveals what prospective students truly experience and provides insights that can transform marketing and enrollment strategies. In this session, ODUGlobal and Raven Eye share how enrollment mystery shopping uncovers gaps in responsiveness, messaging, and service delivery, and how those insights informed measurable improvements. Presenters will also highlight national trends from more than 100 mystery shops, giving attendees a market-level perspective on student expectations and how their own institutions may compare. Participants will leave with a framework for evaluating their enrollment funnel and strategies for using insights to align teams, improve decision-making, and strengthen the enrollment experience.

• Kate Ledger, Old Dominion University
• Alby Salsa, Raven Eye

Moderator: Nichole Henry, Syracuse University

CPaCE Inspires: Storytelling & Podcasting for Workforce Resilience and Lifelong Learning
Churchill A | Community and Economic Engagement | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy
This session explores how Cal State Long Beach’s College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) fosters workforce resilience and community engagement through its podcast and speaker series, CPaCE Inspires. With over 250 downloads across nine episodes, the podcast connects listeners to real-world career stories and strategies, making abstract concepts tangible and actionable. Focused on industries like biomanufacturing, data science, and port operations, the series highlights lifelong learning and inclusive innovation. Participants will learn how storytelling and podcasting support career development, expand access, and reflect broader trends in workforce-aligned education and delivery models that meet evolving labor market demands.

• Angelo Ramos, California State University, Long Beach

Moderator: Michael Miller, EducationDynamics

Dialogues That Matter: Scaling Socratic AI to Deepen Learning in Online Graduate Education
Churchill C1 | Graduate | Applied | Tag(s): Faculty, Graduate Education
This session shares insights from implementing Socratic Mind, an AI-guided formative assessment tool, in a graduate-level online reinforcement learning course. The tool prompted students to explain complex concepts aloud, fostering critical thinking and self-reflection. Data from student surveys, platform usage, and TA interviews revealed improved conceptual understanding, reduced instructional burden, and strong learner engagement. The instructor played a key role in designing prompts and refining assignments based on student feedback. Students appreciated the tool’s low-stress, dialogue-based format. The session will offer strategies for adoption and explore how AI-guided formative assessment tools can support online graduate learner success.

• Meryem Yilmaz Soylu, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Rodrigo Borela Valente, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Jeonghyun Lee, Georgia Institute of Technology

Moderator: Stevie Rocco, Penn State University

From Concept to Degree: Forging Internal Partnerships for Online Degree Programs
Malborough B | Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Graduate Education
Discover how the team at the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation uses their expertise in online program development to help incubate and nurture online degree programs in departments across campus. Through a case study, this session will showcase how CAI partners with Academic Units on campus to develop online program proposals collaboratively, hold strategic conversations around department needs, plan marketing campaigns, develop student service expectations, and create exceptional online course content. Attendees will leave with a framework for partnership and insights into sustaining collaboration before, during, and after an online program launch.

• David Lawrence-Lupton, University of Michigan
• Carol Podschwadt, University of Michigan
• Amy Tuckfield, University of Michigan

Moderator: Patty Milner, University of Arkansas

Grand Ballroom AB
Building on the UPCEA 2026 Senior Leader Annual Briefing held virtually earlier this spring, this in-person bookend session will bring senior leaders together to deepen the conversation on how UPCEA institutions are leading change in a rapidly shifting landscape. Framed by the theme The Future Is Now: How are UPCEA Leaders Leading Change? and grounded in UPCEA’s advocacy guide "The Future Is Now: Essential Conversations for Building Tomorrow’s University Today," the session will begin with a short panel discussion to surface emerging pressures, institutional responses, and strategic questions leaders can no longer postpone. Participants will then move into facilitated roundtable conversations designed for candid peer exchange and shared problem-solving. Together, senior leaders will explore how online and professional education units can drive innovation, diversify revenue, strengthen resilience, and help institutions move from reactive budgeting to future-shaping strategy. Attendees will leave with fresh insights, practical takeaways from colleagues across the field, and renewed connections to UPCEA’s senior leadership community committed to navigating disruption and building sustainable futures.

• Nancy Coleman, Harvard University
• Lisa Templeton, Oregon State University
• Dave Cillay, Washington State University
• Robert Hansen, UPCEA
• Amy Heitzman, UPCEA

Moderator: Robert Bruce, Rice University

• Adelle F. Robertson Award
• Phillip E. Frandson Award for Literature

Connect, celebrate, and collaborate at the Network Lunch & Awards. Hosted by UPCEA Networks (Areas of Practice) and open to all attendees, this luncheon brings peers together to recognize excellence through Network Awards and strengthen connections across the UPCEA community. Select the Network that aligns with your professional focus.

Business and Operations
Grand Ballroom AB
Join the Business & Operations Network to engage with professionals sharing best practices and trends around financial, operational, human resources, and IT strategies that support entrepreneurial online and professional education units.

• Award Presentation: Business & Operations Award for Operational Excellence

Moderators:

• Nico Rose, University of Florida
• Abby Wernicki, Colorado State University Global
• Anne Tai, Rice University
• Kelley Brandt, Boise State University
• Kim Jackson, University of South Florida
• Melissa Mahan, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Community and Economic Engagement
Churchhill C1
Join the Community & Economic Engagement Network to collaborate with colleagues fostering partnerships that strengthen campus-community impact, workforce development, and economic engagement.

• Award Presentation: Engagement Award

Moderators:

• Marjaneh Gilpatrick, Northern Arizona University
• Ann Nikolai, California State University, Chico
• Brenda Sipe, Northern Arizona University
• George Calderaro, Columbia University
• Kimberly Love, Weber State University
• Michael Pierick, University of California, Merced

Credential Innovation
Churchhill A
Join the Credential Innovation Network to connect with peers advancing flexible, skills-focused and learner-driven credentialing pathways and innovative solutions that expand lifelong learning and workforce development opportunities.

• Award Presentation: UPCEA Credential Innovation Award

Moderators:

• Alex Lowrie, University of California, Davis
• John McKenzie, UNT Health Fort Worth
• Amber Smallwood, UNT Health Fort Worth
• Elizabeth Davie, Creighton University
• Garrett Stern, Furman University
• Maria Simon, HRCI
• Saira Cooper, Rice University

eDesign Collaborative and Online Administration
Grand Ballroom D
Join the collaboration of two Networks: eDesign Collaborative and Online Administration to connect with instructional design professionals focused on best practices for online course design, multimedia development, and team-based learning solutions as well as colleagues bridging online program operations, strategic management, and instructional support best practices for online learning.

• Award Presentation: UPCEA Award for Strategic Innovation in Online Education

Moderators:

• April Wolf, Purdue University
• Stevie Rocco, Penn State University
• Connie Hahn, Purdue University
• Megan Slatton, Auburn University
• Ronni Tyger, Tulane University
• Tracy Miller, Northern Illinois University
• David Lawrence-Lupton, University of Michigan
• Amy Gairmaro, Molloy University
• Annie Taylor, Penn State University
  

Graduate
Churchhill B2
Join the Graduate Network to explore the full graduate education continuum--from academic leadership, faculty engagement, market analysis, program design and enrollment management and student success.

Moderators:

• Wendy Boland, American University
• Benjamin Brand, University of North Texas
• George Irvine, University of Delaware
• Minh Virasak, Santa Clara University
• Nancy Ludwig, University of Massachusetts Lowell
• Nancy Prater, Ball State University

International
Churchhill C2
Join the International Network to explore global education strategies, international partnerships, and trends that integrate international perspectives into institutional teaching, learning and engagement.

• Award Presentation: UPCEA International Program Of Excellence or Innovative Practice Award

Moderators:

• Patty Milner, University of Arkansas
• Sweta Sarkar, San Diego State University
• Steve Mulligan, StudyPortals
• Mieke Ridderhof, Drieam

Marketing, Enrollment, and Student Success
Grand Ballroom C
Join the Marketing, Enrollment, & Student Success Network to share insights and practices with peers working to attract, enroll, and support students in today’s competitive and evolving adult and online education landscape.

Moderators:

• Reyna Warren, University of Central Missouri
• Lakitia Avery, Kent State University
• Amanda Olivas, California State University, Office of the Chancellor
• Michael McMahon, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
• Susan Young, UNT Health Fort Worth

Program Planning and Implementation
Churchhill D
Join the Program Planning & Implementation Network to connect with professionals exploring program innovation, planning strategies, and effective implementation practices for credit and noncredit offerings.

• Award Presentation: Outstanding Program: Noncredit and Credit Award

Moderators:

• Ashley Law, Johns Hopkins University
• Johanna Prado, William Paterson University
• Juleisy Gomez, William Paterson University
• Sam Miller, William Paterson University

Innovative Credentials: Strategic Pathways to Closing Workforce Gaps
Churchill C2 | Credential Innovation | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This panel brings together leaders from Purdue Global, the University of Vermont, the University of Hawaii, and the University of Arizona Global to discuss strategic approaches to credential innovation. We will explore how credit and non-credit programs are being developed to meet employer needs and align with institutional missions and strategies. The session will cover best practices and case studies on aligning programming with workforce demands, navigating policy, and fostering partnerships to scale digital credentials. A solutions-focused conversation will follow the panelists' initial remarks to engage participants in a discussion about overcoming common challenges in this evolving landscape.

• Maricel Lawrence, Purdue University Global
• Bryan Aylward, University of Arizona Global Campus
• Gloria Niles, University of Hawaii System
• Bettyjo Bouchey, University of Vermont

Moderator: Maricel Lawrence, Purdue University Global

How We’re Built: Compare Your Team, Tools, and Strategy with Peer Institutions
Marlborough B | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
How does your team compare to others across the field? This workshop begins with quick institutional snapshots, followed by guided reflection and small-group discussion. Participants will map their own team's structure, tech stack, and strategic priorities, then share insights with peers. Walk away with a broader perspective on what’s typical and what’s possible.

• Lakitia Avery, Kent State University
• Ashley Law, Johns Hopkins University

Moderator: Brad Harrison, MindEdge Learning

From Custom to Credential: Driving Innovation Ecosystems at Michelin and Beyond
Churchill A | Community and Economic Engagement | Applied |
What happens when a global company asks higher ed to help fuel their innovation engine? At the intersection of industry need and academic expertise, Furman’s Center for Innovative Leadership co-created a program with Michelin to build intrapreneurial skills. What began as a bespoke engagement evolved into something bigger: a scalable, open-enrollment professional certificate in Corporate Entrepreneurship now available beyond Michelin. In this session, we’ll share how this partnership came together, its success, and why the co-funded curriculum model is worth replicating. Attendees will leave with insights on building industry-relevant learning, forming high-impact partnerships, and transforming custom programs into scalable offerings.

• Sarah Waylett, Furman University
• Garrett Stern, Furman University

Moderator: Kim Jackson, University of South Florida

AI on the Ground: How Instructional Designers Are Actually Using Generative AI in Higher Ed
Churchill B1 | eDesign Collaborative | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
What are learning experience professionals really doing with AI? This session shares new data from a cross-institutional survey of higher education professionals using generative AI in course and content design. We’ll explore trends, practical use cases, and simple ways you can apply these ideas to your own work. Attendees will reflect on their own practice, share strategies with peers, and leave with new ideas based on the session's discussion. No prior AI experience needed to join this discussion!

• Kristen Chorba, University of Arizona
• Jessica Zeitler, University of Arizona

Moderator: Shiraz Sultan, AAPC

Infusing AI into Existing Curriculum: Embedding AI for the Next Generation of Learning
Churchill D | Online Administration | Strategic |
Artificial intelligence is reshaping every corner of higher education from the classroom to the workplace. But how do institutions move beyond the hype and meaningfully integrate AI into curriculum? This panel brings together leaders from multiple universities who have taken on the challenge of embedding AI into existing programs to better prepare students for a rapidly evolving world of work. Panelists will share strategies they used to expose students and faculty to AI in ways that are relevant to their disciplines, including approaches to professional development, policy development and refinement, tool selection and integration, and the rethinking of assessments to account for AI-assisted work. Attendees will also hear how institutions partnered with industry to provide authentic examples of AI in action to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace application.The conversation will not only highlight successes but also address the very real challenges institutions faced from faculty readiness to resource constraints to navigating shifting expectations from employers. By the end of this interactive session, attendees will walk away with actionable insights, lessons learned, and practical ideas to guide their own efforts in embedding AI into curriculum.

• Ryan Anderson, University of Wisconsin System
• Shawndra Bowers, Auburn University
• Camille Funk, Utah Valley University
• Jennifer Ferrara, Texas A&M University

Moderator: Ryan Anderson, University of Wisconsin System

Before, During, and After: Innovating the Learning Journey from Enrollment to Career Advancing Impact, and Everything In Between.
Marlborough A | Graduate | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Graduate Education
Today’s adult learners seek flexible, purpose-driven education that delivers impact. This interactive workshop features two institutions reimagining the learner lifecycle in 3 phases: enrollment, program design, to professional outcomes. Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies will highlight data-informed recruitment strategies and learner engagement methods that sustain enrollment in a competitive adult market. The team will also highlight its Career Management Services model, which integrates career exploration, skill-building, and coaching to support adult learners. Saint Francis University’s Executive Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Innovation will showcase a scholar-practitioner approach, infused with servant leadership and innovation theory that drives applied research and cross-sector impact. Together, these models demonstrate how intentional design, authentic engagement, and flexible delivery can transform recruitment, retention, and career success. Through discussion and hands-on exercises, participants will identify ways to strengthen belonging, connection, and post-graduation impact across diverse institutional contexts.

• Paul Ballentine, Villanova University
• Meredith Okenquist, Villanova University
• Tricia Giannone McFadden, Saint Francis University

Moderator: Clayton Dean, Ziplines Education

Vision to Action: Turning Big Ideas into Real Results from the Middle Seat
Prince of Wales | Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Ideas for change emerge everywhere, but turning them into reality happens in the middle, where clarity is scarce and authority is limited. This collaborative workshop brings together professionals who live in that space every day: leaders driving institutional change, strategists bridging academia and workforce, and designers turning ambiguous scopes into engaging, learner-centered experiences. Through interactive exercises, you’ll co-create messy, real-world project scenarios using audience prompts, then work in small groups to spot red flags, align stakeholders, and translate “vibes” into actionable plans, and plans into real impactful innovations. You’ll leave with practical takeaways: discovery question starters, a scope alignment tool, and strategies for influencing across silos. Whether you’re leading partnerships, building programs, or designing learning experiences, you’ll gain tools to move ideas forward, right from the messy middle.

• Patty Milner, University of Arkansas
• Eve Canty, University of Arkansas
• Lisa Doehnert, Ease Learning
• Kara Kelley, Ease Learning
• Tracy Montoro, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Moderator: Maddie Lundt, Mississippi State University

The University Reimagined: Partnering with AI on the Next Horizon
Grand Ballroom C | Applied | Tag(s): Policy, Faculty
The advent of agentic AI will transform higher education. It will afford us efficiencies across the institution, consistencies in offerings, personalization through adaptive release of customized learning materials to enable mastery learning, and an array of other enhancements. This will not come without costs and fundamental challenges in operations. In this workshop, our panel will examine three forward-looking postures with regard to AI: it’s transformative power for the field, transitioning to agentic AI, and the rise of what some might call “the agentic AI university.” Following the presentation, we’ll break into small groups to brainstorm priority lists and action plans to equip attendees for the future.

• Ray Schroeder, UPCEA
• Adam Fein, Risepoint
• Gayla Stoner, Creighton University
• Tom Cavanagh, University of Central Florida

Moderator: Kathleen Ives, UPCEA

Workforce Pell As Strategy: Preparing Programs, Policies, and People
Grand Ballroom D | Credential Innovation | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
As Workforce Pell takes effect in July 2026, four-year institutions face both opportunity and urgency. The expansion of Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, workforce-aligned programs creates new access for learners — but only for institutions prepared to meet new eligibility and accountability requirements. This interactive workshop opens with a concise policy and programmatic update, including an introduction to UPCEA’s Workforce Pell Readiness Checklist, highlighting core preparation areas such as program design and labor-market alignment, data and outcomes reporting, governance and state engagement, student support, and financial aid readiness. Participants will then move into facilitated table conversations with members of the UPCEA Council for Credential Innovation to assess institutional readiness, share challenges and promising practices, and identify strategies for closing gaps. Discussion will focus on practical considerations, including aligning non-degree programs to Workforce Pell requirements, strengthening data infrastructure, and coordinating across campus units. The session will conclude with table report-outs and synthesis, leading to clear action steps. Attendees will leave with concrete ways to leverage UPCEA resources, engage partners, and position their institutions for successful Workforce Pell implementation.

• Julie Uranis, UPCEA
• Jordan DiMaggio, UPCEA

Moderator: Amy Heitzman, UPCEA

The COLO as Strategic Advisor, Innovation Catalyst, and AI Trailblazer
Churchill B2 | Online Administration | Strategic | Tag(s): Policy, Faculty
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the Chief Online Learning Officer (COLO) has emerged as far more than an online program administrator. Increasingly, COLOs are de facto Chief Innovation Officers, charged with aligning institutional priorities with digital transformation, championing the ethical and effective use of AI, and acting as trusted advisors to provosts and presidents.
This panel brings together senior online leaders who are redefining what it means to lead digital learning strategy at the enterprise level. Panelists will share how they’ve leveraged the COLO role to earn a seat at the executive table: leading cross-functional alignment, anticipating policy and market disruptions, and operationalizing new models of teaching and learning. Special emphasis will be placed on AI: how COLOs are guiding institutional AI frameworks, balancing experimentation with governance, and ensuring adoption supports equity, inclusion, and academic integrity.

• Daria LaTorre, Duquesne University
• Julie Thalman, University of Cincinnati
• Jay O’Callaghan, Kean University

Moderator: Asher Haines, UNC Charlotte

Higher Education in 2026: Aligning Policy and Practice to Create Learner Access
Churchill C1 | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Policy, Faculty, Engagement and Opportunity
As the higher education landscape evolves amidst federal and state policy changes and landmark court decisions, colleges and universities are reexamining how they describe, serve, and support learners who have not been fully engaged in traditional postsecondary models. For professionals in continuing, online, and professional education, this moment calls for thoughtful reflection on both language and practice—balancing innovation with awareness of new policy expectations and institutional realities. Discussion facilitators will exchange insights, share resources, and discuss strategies for navigating this changing environment. Participants will consider how institutions are reframing language and approaches to better reflect and reach today’s varied and multifaceted learners, what new perspectives and constraints are shaping this work under current directives, and how to advance engagement, access, and opportunity within evolving institutional and national contexts. Designed as an open and collegial conversation, this session invites shared learning, mutual support, and community among peers navigating similar challenges.

• Doragnes Rivera Bradshaw, Rollins College
• John McKenzie, UNT Health Fort Worth
• Phyllis Watson, Florida A&M University

Moderator: Amanda Olivas, California State University, Office of the Chancellor

Building for Growth: Technology, Systems, and Strategies to Scale PCO Operations
Churchill D | Business and Operations | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Operational efficiency is the foundation of sustainable growth in professional, continuing, and online education. This session combines two institutional perspectives on how to strategically adopt and optimize technology systems to strengthen PCO operations. The University of South Carolina will share how its Continuing Education and Conferences unit streamlined operations by consolidating nearly ten legacy systems into Slate, unlocking new efficiencies and freeing staff for higher-value work. UC Merced will highlight how its PACE unit, launched just two years ago, strategically timed infrastructure investments and leveraged Eduframe SIS with workflow automation to support rapid revenue growth while maintaining a lean staff. Together, these case studies offer practical lessons in system selection, implementation, and scaling that can help attendees evaluate their own operational readiness and infrastructure strategies.

• Michael Pierick, University of California, Merced
• Annette Roberts Webb, University of California, Merced
• Mieke Ridderhof, Drieam
• Hilary Brannon, University of South Carolina
• Mickey Baines, Kennedy & Company

Moderator: Kelley Brandt, Boise State University

From Potential to Protagonist: Propelling Your Leadership Pathway
Churchill A | Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This panel discussion brings together seasoned professionals from three distinct institutional contexts to explore succession planning as a narrative framework—one where leaders help emerging talent become central characters in their own career stories. Panelists will share how they’ve supported team members in cultivating leadership identity, fostering agency, and building pathways for advancement. Whether you're a leader approaching retirement or someone aspiring to step into leadership, we’ll explore how to shift the conversation from “I wonder what will happen next?” to “Here’s the outline for my next chapter.”

• Stevie Rocco, Penn State University
• Gayla Stoner, Creighton University
• Carey Hansard, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Kamille Leptz, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Moderator: Annie Taylor, Penn State University

An Unclassified Discussion about Classified Learning Management
Marlborough A | Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
As learning increasingly shifts online, classified learning must evolve beyond resource-heavy, in-person models. This session spotlights how leaders from Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins University, and Los Alamos National Laboratory are redefining both classified and unclassified learning through flexible, secure, and scalable digital modalities. Panelists will share strategies for building infrastructure, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and navigating the tension between institutional requirements and national standards. Attendees will gain insights into managing sensitive content while enhancing learner experience and meeting diverse educational needs. Join this forward-looking discussion to explore how digital transformation is unlocking new possibilities for classified learning in today’s complex, high-security environments.

• Jocelyn Widmer, Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Paul Huckett, Johns Hopkins University
• Warren Goetzel, Georgia Institute of Technology

Beyond the Classroom: Partnering for Community and Regional Impact through Continuing and Professional Education
Prince of Wales | Community and Economic Engagement | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
Continuing and professional education serves as a bridge, linking universities with communities and institutions with one another in ways that amplify public impact. At Oregon State University, Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) collaborates with academic colleges to design noncredit programs that extend faculty expertise into communities, creating accessible learning pathways and advancing civic engagement. Moving from local to regional scale, the session explores how partnerships among institutions can amplify impact even further. Two institutions will share a model for inter-institutional collaboration that builds complementary, stackable programs to meet regional needs. Together, these perspectives reveal how continuing education strengthens both local and regional ecosystems by translating academic knowledge into shared community and economic benefit. Attendees will leave with practical frameworks for cultivating faculty partnerships, building collaborative networks, and positioning noncredit learning as a catalyst for community connection and regional growth.

• Shauna Cox, Modern Campus
• Amrit Ahluwalia, Western University
• Luke Dowden, Alamo Community Colleges District
• Patrick Kelley, Oregon State University
• Katie Hensley, Oregon State University

Moderator: Inez Bush, California Sate University, Dominguez Hills

Graduate Program Review: Approaches, Tools & Tradeoffs
Churchill C1 | Graduate | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
The sessions will focus on two approaches to evaluate your graduate program portfolio to align with resources, drive innovation, and respond to the rapidly changing graduate landscape. First, the School of Professional Studies at Northwestern University will present their comprehensive program review process for its online professional master’s degree programs as a consistent, structured way to gauge program quality and identify opportunities for curricular innovation. Second, American University will present a profit & loss tool that they are using to help deans across the university assess their graduate portfolio and make difficult decisions around program changes and closures. The session will provide an opportunity for attendees to evaluate their degree programs from multiple angles and hear from colleagues about their experiences. Additionally, participants will reflect on the potential value of program review for their institutions and discuss how to operationalize it in whole or part for their own needs.

• Soo La Kim, Northwestern University
• Wendy Boland, American University

Moderator: Jason Smith, Blackboard

Unlocking Ambitious and Sustainable Online Growth: An Online Enrollment Growth Plan
Churchill B2 | Online Administration | Strategic | Tag(s): Faculty, Graduate Education
Tulane’s School of Social Work is growing online enrollment for mission-aligned programs, sustainably. Learn how they integrated siloed marketing and admissions teams, aligned internal stakeholders through a shared financial model, and adjusted strategies based on university-level strategic goals. This session offers a candid look at what happens when growth is the result, not the goal, of operational alignment and smarter decision-making. Attendees will walk away with practical insights for growing online programs with intention.

• Kady Lamb, Tulane University
• Susan Davies, Tulane University
• Mary Celano, Archer Education

Moderator: Fritz Vandover, University of Minnesota

From Outsourcing to Ownership: Universities Building Sustainable Online Growth
Grand Ballroom C | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Graduate Education
As universities scale online degree and non-degree programs, many face a tough tradeoff: build from scratch with limited resources or rely on OPMs that compromise long-term autonomy. This session introduces a third path—enablement. Leaders from Washington State University, OU Education Services, and Mary Baldwin University will share how they accelerated growth and built lasting internal capacity using scalable, easy-to-implement technology. Attendees will learn how these institutions empowered frontline teams, delivered measurable impact, and maintained strategic control. The session offers a practical framework for achieving immediate results and sustainable ROI in today’s competitive online education environment.

• Brett Frazier, Elsmere Education
• Sanam Raza, University of Oklahoma
• Cheryl Oliver, Washington State University
• Todd Telemeco, Mary Baldwin University

Moderator: Brett Frazier, Elsmere Education

Integrating Industry Micro-Credentials with Academic Learning
Churchill C2 | Credential Innovation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Recent survey data highlights the significant impact micro-credentials can have on a graduate’s career prospects, helping them stand out in the application pool and increase starting salaries. In this session, discover how two institutions are each uniquely integrating industry micro-credentials into their curricula to provide students with crucial entry-level job skills. Join us to gain actionable insights into the strategies employed, as well as the best practices and learnings emerging from their experiences.

• Frank Tenkorang, University of Nebraska at Kearney
• Nicole Westrick, Morgan State University
• Jennifer Campbell, Coursera for Campus

Moderator: Ann Rapp, Lewis University

Balancing Data and Dialogue: A Participatory Approach to Academic Portfolio Review
Churchill B1 | Business and Operations | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
In response to external pressures, the University of Illinois Springfield launched a comprehensive academic portfolio review in 2024-25. This multi-phase, participatory initiative was designed to be mission-aligned, sustainable, and transparent, balancing campus engagement with data-informed analysis, shaped in part by UPCEA’s portfolio decision-making model. Presenters will share insights on stakeholder engagement, metric development, data visualization, and decision-making, offering replicable models for institutional alignment and sustainable academic planning. Attendees will gain practical strategies for leading reviews and categorizing programs for enrichment, maintenance, sunsetting, consolidation, or reform. Successes, lessons learned, and recommendations for leading similar initiatives at other institutions will be included.

• Michele Gribbins, University of Illinois, Springfield
• Brandon Schwab, University of Illinois, Springfield
• Bruce Etter, UPCEA

Moderator: Lee Maxey, Noodle

Strategic Planning in Online Education: An Andragogy in Practice Framework
Marlborough B | Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
This presentation will highlight some of the key initiatives related to the development of an institutional digital strategy to serve post-traditional students at a small liberal arts university in the United States. It will also emphasize that the andragogy in practice model (Knowles et al., 2025) can be applied in innovative ways and provides a solid framework for online program development. In addition to financial resources, launching and sustaining quality online programs serving post-traditional students requires knowledge of adult learning principles to diversify the curriculum, develop comprehensive policies and procedures, enhance the student experience by providing individualized support services, and training faculty and administrators.

• Corina Caraccioli, Louisiana State University
• Paul Cesarini, Loyola University New Orleans

Moderator: Daniel Kalef, OES (Online Education Services)

Winning During Disruption: Why Clean Data, Bold Strategy, and Coordinated Teams Drive Enrollment Growth
Grand Ballroom D | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Disruption in higher ed is no longer a phase — it’s the new normal. Leaders are under pressure to do more with less, and it do it fast. When faced with this challenge, UC Online, Montclair State University, and Collegis Education opted toss out the legacy playbook and look to data, technology, and internal talent structures as way to drive enrollment growth. Learn how a team restructure allowed UC Online to reduce costs while increasing conversion, and how Montclair partnered with Collegis Education to create an infrastructure that connected siloed data and systems to empower faster decisions and enable sustainable growth. Expect candid case study insights, actionable strategies, and a roadmap you can take back to your team.

• Julie Thalman, University of Cincinnati
• Joanne Hunt, University of Cincinnati
• Jeff Certain, Collegis Education
• Marc Austin, Montclair State University

Moderator: Laurel Hogue, University of Central Missouri

Roundtable Presentations
Grand Ballroom AB
In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with up to two different topics during small-group, 30-minute, table-based guided discussion around a specific and timely topic, question, or issue. Roundtables are designed to provide space and time to important but particularly nuanced topics which deserve attention, and presenters will promote the sharing of thoughts, solutions, and questions among their respective table’s attendees.

Moderator: Jessica DuPont, Oregon State University

Execution > Discussion: Using 4DX's Lead and Lag Measures to Achieve Recruitment Results
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Graduate Education
This roundtable shares how one admissions team used the 4DX framework--and specifically the discipline of lead measures--to shift from distraction to execution. Instead of chasing every seemingly urgent task, the team focused on high-impact behaviors that drove recruitment results. Attendees will leave with an example of how to bridge strategic planning and daily action in a high-pressure enrollment environment.

• Michael McMahon, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

From Classroom to Career: Preparing Students for In-Demand Jobs
Community and Economic Engagement | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This session highlights the Orthotic Fitter Program (OFP) at CSU Dominguez Hills and the Fitness and Wellness (FWL) bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University that prepare students for in-demand careers in allied health. OFP trains students to fit devices that restore mobility, using existing courses to create flexible pathways into jobs or advanced degrees. FWL offers an accessible, low-disruption learning experience, allowing community college students to transfer seamlessly while staying at their home campus. Both programs meet employer needs, produce workforce-ready graduates, and serve as models for designing educational offerings that align with market demand and support student journeys.

• Inez Bush, California State University, Dominguez Hills
• Marjaneh Gilpatrick, Northern Arizona University

From Click to Connection - reimaging orientation for adult student success
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This session shares how a public comprehensive college transformed it's orientation to better serve a remote adult audience, while maintaining core content experiences that all students experience. Strategies on forming cross-campus partnerships will be shared.

• Melissa Semione, SUNY Oswego University
• Carrie Mocyk, SUNY Oswego University

From Compliance to Connection: A Scalable Framework for Meaningful RSI (Regular and Substantive Interaction)
Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI) is more than a compliance requirement—it is a catalyst for student success. Learn how Oregon State University’s College of Engineering transformed federal RSI standards into a scalable, high-impact framework that strengthens faculty–student connections and advances the university’s Prosperity Widely Shared retention goals. This session shares practical strategies, real-world examples, and tools adaptable to any discipline. Attendees will leave with actionable methods to evaluate and enhance RSI in asynchronous courses, fostering deeper engagement, improving learning outcomes, and sustaining student success beyond the minimum standards.

• Cori Benz, Oregon State University Ecampus
• Holly Russell, Oregon State University Ecampus

From Stop-Out to Success: Building Scalable Pathways for Adult Learners - Lessons from William Paterson University and College Unbound
Program Planning and Implementation | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
Discover how William Paterson University and College Unbound re-engaged adult learners and dramatically boosted CPL participation through two distinct models. This interactive workshop blends WP’s SCND-funded strategies with CU’s nationally recognized adult learner pathways to remove barriers for returning students. Participants will map their own processes, identify institutional gaps, and leave with an “SCND Re-Engagement Toolkit” adaptable to a variety of institutional contexts.

• Johanna Prado, William Paterson University
• Elizabeth Colon, College Unbound
• Samuel Miller, William Paterson University
• Juleisy Gomez, William Paterson University

Future-Proofing Talent: How AI Integration, Smart Content, and Credentialing Drive Workforce Readiness
Credential Innovation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This session explores how to define and achieve learner success by balancing engagement, credential completion, and workforce readiness. It presents a holistic approach using AI-driven, competency-based learning to enhance outcomes, prioritizing not just program completion but real career preparedness. Attendees will discover innovative AI and interactive content strategies that boost engagement, provide personalized support, and align curricula with job market needs. Key takeaways include optimizing on-demand instruction, 24/7 support, credential issuance, and portfolio-building to increase learner confidence and employability.

• Desiree Young, IronCircle
• Casey Rothenburger, San Diego State University

Hallmarks in Action - Operationalizing the UPCEA Seven Pillars in Professional Education
Business and Operations | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
The UPCEA Hallmarks of Excellence define the standards for professional and continuing education (PCE) units across the United States and beyond, and we have used the seven pillars of excellent practices to strategically develop our own annual goals. Internal and external advocacy, entrepreneurial initiatives, faculty and student support, digital technology, and professionalism have guided our work in 2025 and enabled us to reach for and achieve success in many areas. In a time of rapid change in Academia, the seven pillars provided a stable, guiding structure against which to measure our impact and encouraged our team to remain focused on our mission and values.

• Alexa Jeffress, University of Virginia

How Universities Align Leadership to Reengage Stop-Outs and Boost Workforce
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Strategic |
With 43 million adults holding some college credit but no degree, institutions have a unique opportunity to reengage learners while meeting urgent workforce needs. This session features leaders from Southern Utah University, the University of South Florida, and myFootpath, who are aligning leadership and organizing cross-functional teams to scale reengagement and workforce strategies. From microcredentials and apprenticeships to data-driven student outreach, each speaker will share how leadership buy-in and collaboration across departments are critical to success. Attendees will gain practical insights into how institutions can structure internal efforts to reengage stop-outs and deliver workforce-aligned pathways for adult learners.

• Melynda Thorpe, Southern Utah University
• Mark Koulianos, University of South Florida
• JT Allen, myFootpath

Key Strategies: Assessing Technology that Drives Student Success
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Foundational |
Join Wen-Chieh Fan, Director of Academic Technology at Louisiana State University, in a discussion on a modern, informed approach to evaluating online proctoring, an essential component of their academic technology toolkit. Leveraging AI to rapidly gather and synthesize information, this process streamlines the early stages of selection, allowing academic leaders to focus on technologies that align with institutional priorities and student needs. You’ll learn how to assess solutions for their potential to enhance engagement, promote equitable access, and protect academic integrity in online environments.

• Wen-Chieh Fan, Louisiana State University
• Andy Wisner, Honorlock Online Proctoring

Leading Sideways: Building Influence and Trust Without Positional Power
Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Online education professionals are often tasked with leading initiatives like program growth, strategic planning, and technology adoption—without direct authority over the people or systems involved. This interactive session explores how to “lead sideways” by building trust, credibility, and strong cross-campus relationships. Presenters will share real-world strategies for influencing without formal power, including tools like stakeholder mapping, narrative leadership, and the “curiosity over control” mindset. Whether you're launching a new program or navigating institutional silos, this session will offer practical, creative approaches to growing your leadership impact—even when your role doesn't come with a traditional title or positional power.

• Brittany Logue, Colorado State University

Leveraging Entrinsik Enrole for Seamless Registration, Data Management, and Financial Transactions
Program Planning and Implementation | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This presentation will showcase how strategic leadership can drive the effective integration of technology to streamline registration, student data management, and financial transactions. Using Entrinsik Enrole as a case study, we will explore its seamless integration with platforms such as Blackboard (LMS) and Ellucian Colleague (financial system) to enhance institutional efficiency, external partnerships, and student engagement

• Michelle Sebasco, Governors State University

Leveraging Technology to Support a Relationship First Online Graduate Student Experience
Graduate | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
This session explores how Ohio University leveraged Slate for Current Students and a Canvas integration to develop a Student Success Dashboard to optimize success advising, communication cadences, and retention interventions across our online graduate student portfolio. As part of OHIO Online's relationship first partnerships with program directors, learn to balance proactive outreach with student autonomy using Slate’s early alerts, personalized interventions, and predictive analytics. Discover how unified data streams enhance tracking and reporting while fostering relationships with program directors and students to align advising with curricular goals. Leave with actionable templates and frameworks for cross-departmental collaboration to strengthen student persistence and institutional retention efforts.

• Thomas Raimondi, Ohio University
• Elizabeth Bonin, Ohio University

Retreat Reset: Strategies for Recharging Your Team (and Yourself)
Business and Operations | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Most leaders are expected to plan annual retreats but are rarely taught how. The result? Stressful, repetitive events that miss the mark. This session flips the script with a practical, data-informed framework to make retreat planning easier, more creative, and more impactful. Discover how to use staff feedback, align with business needs, and add fresh elements that transform your retreat into a powerful driver of energy, connection, and results.

• Briana Roades, University of Florida

Teaching Academy for Graduate Students
Graduate | Applied | Tag(s): Graduate Education
Upon earning a graduate degree, individuals may have the opportunity to teach in a higher education institution. They may also have the opportunity to serve as a course instructor while they are earning their degree. To prepare for these teaching opportunities, it is beneficial to provide students with a pedagogical foundation and training in instruction. In this session, we’ll explore the components of a developed teaching academy for graduate students that is interdisciplinary and provides a strong foundation for teaching. We'll discuss strategies for training graduate students and explore how this type of program can be implemented in other institutions.

• Laura Ramp, Penn State University

The AI Mandate: Partnering for Institutional Readiness
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy
Artificial Intelligence is no longer optional. This panel features leaders from universities in the US and UK discussing their frameworks for the dual AI mandate: preparing students for an AI-driven workforce and transforming institutional operations. Learn how to leverage strategic partnerships to rapidly launch AI up-skilling programs and enhance operational efficiency. This session provides an actionable roadmap for building a competitive, AI-ready university that meets the urgent demands of today's economy and workforce.

• Anjali Gopaul, HyperionDev
• Jason Marcuson, HyperionDev
• Simon Thompson, The University of Manchester

The Dream Team: How ID-Faculty Partnerships and Badging Elevated Course Quality
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Faculty, Graduate Education
This session will explore a programmatic approach to scaling quality course design at Molloy University, focusing on a badging system that rewards faculty for developing exemplary 7-week, fully online, asynchronous courses. Building on an existing badging program, we will detail the unique strategy of proactively promoting these quality-assured courses at the program level. Presenters will share the successful model that integrates dedicated instructional design support, faculty incentives, the creation of an internal peer network of quality reviewers based on the QM Rubric framework, and recognition strategies to celebrate faculty achievements. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to implement a similar, incentivized, and sustainable model for enhancing online course quality and enrollment.

• Amy Gaimaro, Molloy University
• Susan Watters, Molloy University

The Power of Perseverance: Soft Skills for Student and Career Success
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
This session introduces ten soft skills every student needs to succeed, based on the new book The Power of Perseverance by NYU professor Dr. Richie Karaburun. Through storytelling, practical strategies, and real-life application, participants will gain tools to help students build confidence, manage setbacks, and develop a personal brand for long-term success. Ideal for student success leaders, career services, and graduate educators.

• Richie Karaburun, New York University

Unpacking the Invisible Backpack: Leading with System and Soul
Online Administration | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
At the heart of online education is a paradox: systems are built for scale, yet students and staff carry profoundly individual stories. How can leaders design for both? This session introduces System & Soul, a framework rooted in the invisible backpack—the burdens people carry that others cannot see. Through reflection and dialogue, participants will explore what “showing up” really means, examining the tensions of scale, empathy, consistency, and grace. Take away practical strategies to build programs and cultures where strong systems honor humanity—and where unpacking the invisible, even just a little, becomes possible.

• Melissa Allen, University of Florida

Upcycling Online Learning: Designing Adaptable Content for Different Markets
Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Developing quality online courses requires significant investments. To maximize ROI, course content must be designed and developed to be adapted for a wide range of online leaners in different markets. This talk explores how CalArts Extended Studies has built online course content in graphic design, creative AI, and acting skills for business, that is available in courses on different learning platforms, within different programs, and in partnership with other universities across the country.

• Evan Tapper, California Institute of the Arts

Beyond the Buzz - AI Ethics and Techniques for Staff, Faculty, and Students
Grand Ballroom C | Graduate | Foundational | Tag(s): Graduate Education
The MS–Applied Data Science Instructional Services Team from the University of Chicago will lead an interactive workshop on AI prompting, focusing on both best practices and the limitations of AI in education. Participants will work through real-world scenarios to examine the positive and negative social impacts of data science, moving past surface-level fears about generative AI. Emphasizing an educational approach over rapid adoption of tools, the session will equip educators and administrators with the critical skills and ethical awareness needed to thoughtfully integrate AI into teaching, learning, and institutional decision-making.

• Emma Kerr-Ketchum, The University of Chicago
• Taylor Alexander, The University of Chicago

Moderator: John South, Lightcast

Workforce Futures: Building Pathways and Credentials through Cross-Sector Partnerships
Churchill A | Community and Economic Engagement | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
How can education and industry co-design programs that close urgent workforce gaps—both broadly across sectors and deeply within a single field? This session brings together two complementary models. In Arizona, Northern Arizona University and partners across higher ed, K–12, and employers are reimagining skills-aligned pathways that streamline transfer, elevate skills-based hiring, and prepare learners for teacher education, fitness and wellness, supply chain management, criminal justice, and beauty & wellness. In Tennessee, the University of Tennessee System, through the University of Tennessee Grow Your Own Center (UT GYO), scaled a statewide, $0-tuition registered teacher apprenticeship pathway enabling apprentices to earn a wage while working toward licensure. UT GYO is scaling an OER competency-based online curriculum (TeachBridge Pathways), aligned to InTASC standards and designed to support Education Preparation Providers and school district partners statewide. Building on this success, UT is using lessons learned from GYO to expand access for working learners and to meet employer needs in other industries beyond teacher preparation. Together, these cases highlight how cross-sector partnerships can align credentials, curriculum, and labor-market demand at scale.

• Briana Johnson, iDesign
• Marjaneh Gilpatrick, Northern Arizona University
• Brenda Sipe, Northern Arizona University
• Erin Crisp, The University of Tennessee System
• Bianca Pratt, The University of Tennessee System

Moderator: Saira Cooper, Rice University

Marketing What Matters: Building and Growing Workforce-Aligned Programs through Partnerships and Pathways
Churchill D | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Workforce-aligned programs succeed when institutions pair strong partnerships with smart marketing. This session combines a real-world case study and research-backed strategies to show how. UNT Health Fort Worth will share how its Pharmacy Technician program achieved 320% enrollment revenue growth in one year through targeted tactics like student journey-based email campaigns, SEO, landing pages, and industry partnerships. Building on that, leaders from Southwestern Community College and Jenzabar will highlight proven methods for sustaining workforce-aligned programs, from establishing advisory boards and leveraging AI/SOC skill mapping to applying regional SEO, content marketing, and social media. Together, these perspectives illustrate how academic, workforce, and marketing teams can collaborate to design and scale programs that meet employer needs and attract adult learners. Participants will leave with both tactical tools and strategic frameworks to apply at their institutions.

• Kim Oaks, Southwestern Community College
• Chris Morgan, Jenzabar
• John McKenzie, UNT Health Fort Worth
• Susan Young, UNT Health Fort Worth
• Jennifer Fix, UNT Health Fort Worth

Moderator: Wade Phelps, UNT Health Fort Worth

Culture as Strategy: Building Agility, Engagement, and Outcomes in Higher Education
Churchill C1 | Business and Operations | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Culture doesn’t just support strategy—it is strategy. This session brings together two institutions that have leveraged culture as the engine for transformation. The University of Phoenix will share how building a culture of strategic planning delivered measurable gains in student retention, experience, and cost savings through disciplined change management and people-first approaches. Embry-Riddle will highlight how aligning values, workforce needs, and innovation fosters agility, collaboration, and psychological safety within its Division of Academic Innovation. Participants will explore practical frameworks and real-world lessons on cultivating cultures that drive both employee engagement and student success. Through interactive activities, you’ll leave with concrete strategies to cultivate culture as a powerful strategic tool at your own institution.

• Dean Goon, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Carey Hansard, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Angela Atwell, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Marc Booker, University of Phoenix
• Hillary Halpern, University of Phoenix

Moderator: Maria Simon, HRCI

Scaling Online Student and Program Success: Empowering Staff and Building Institutional Infrastructure
Churchill C2 | Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Scaling online learning requires both empowered staff and effective institutional infrastructure. This session highlights two complementary approaches. Leaders from National University and University of Maryland Global Campus will share how evidence-based coaching and microcredential training upskill the student support staff to serve diverse adult learners, military students, and other nontraditional populations effectively. The University of Minnesota will present its recently-launched Online Program Support Services (OPSS) model, its University-wide initiative that offers centralized program development, marketing, enrollment, and student success support across all five campuses. Together, these perspectives provide a roadmap for institutions seeking to scale online learning through both people-centered strategies and organizational infrastructure. Attendees will leave with practical insights to build stronger staff capacity, align institutional resources, and create lasting impact for learners and programs.

• Fritz Vandover, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
• Leigh Saunders, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
• Matt Bruce, National University
• Susan Hawkins-Wilding, University of Maryland Global Campus
• Cheryl Marshall-Petricoff, InsideTrack

Moderator: Cheryl Marshall-Petricoff, InsideTrack

Reimagining Scalable Education: Insights from Georgia Tech’s Lifetime Learning Symposium
Marlborough A | Community and Economic Engagement | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
Discover how Georgia Tech’s new Lifetime Learning Symposium—formerly Affordable Degrees at Scale—is advancing scalable, workforce-relevant education through national collaboration. This session highlights key themes from the Symposium, including affordability, access, and innovation in professional, continuing, and online learning. Presenters will share insights from the initiative's first year and invite participants to explore how institutions of all types can engage in shaping the future of lifelong learning.

• Warren Goetzel, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Ronnie Godshalk, Georgia Institute of Technology
• David Joyner, Georgia Institute of Technology

Scaling Student Retention: Designing Online Communities that Drive Belonging and Social Capital
Churchill B2 | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Student success depends on more than access; it requires connection, trust, and belonging. This session explores how Pima Community College and Alamo Colleges District are using digital communities to foster peer support, build social capital, and improve student outcomes. Presenters will share evidence-based models that demonstrate measurable gains in engagement and retention, along with practical strategies to create or scale online spaces that humanize learning and strengthen access across institutions.

• Katy Kappler, InScribe
• Luke Dowden, Alamo Community Colleges District
• Michael Amick, Pima Community College

Moderator: April Wolf, Purdue University

The Perfect Pairing: Alumni Partnerships and Experiential Course Design
Churchill B1 | Program Planning and Implementation | Applied |
Ready to turn your alumni into a competitive advantage in continuing education? Mississippi State University is piloting a framework that positions alumni as strategic partners while creating immersive learning experiences across online and in-person formats. This interactive session features a live wine education demonstration with sommelier alumna Melanie Hankins Booth, showing how charismatic expertise becomes compelling, instructionally sound content. Attendees will explore scalable strategies for alumni engagement, experiential course design, and internal production capacity—reducing vendor dependency and strengthening institutional identity. Whether your alumni are industry leaders, creatives, or technical specialists, you’ll leave with tools to build distinctive, high-impact programs.

• Susan Seal, Mississippi State University
• Jared Jones, Mississippi State University
• Melanie Hankins Booth, Mississippi State University

Moderator: Aaron Lawrence, SmartBrief

Workforce Pell: What We Know, What We’re Testing, and What We’re Learning Together
Grand Ballroom D | Credential Innovation | Foundational |
As Workforce Pell Funding (WFP) continues to take shape, institutions are grappling with both its promise and its practical implications. This interactive session, hosted by the Credential Innovation Network (CIN), builds on recent national and leadership conversations to explore what we know so far, and what remains uncertain. Participants will hear a brief landscape update on WFP, including emerging considerations around pricing, eligibility, vulnerable learners, costing conversations, and measures of success. The session will then highlight examples from the field across a continuum of institutional readiness, from early exploration to active preparation. Designed as a peer-driven conversation, attendees will engage in table discussions to reflect on where their institution stands, what steps they are taking now, and what questions still need to be answered. Participants will leave with clearer context, practical insights from peers, and connections to continue the conversation through CIN leadership meetings, conference Ask-Me-Anything Conversations, and UPCEA engagement.

• Garrett Stern, Furman University
• Alex Lowrie, University of California, Davis
• Liz Davie, Creighton University
• Saira Cooper, Rice University

Moderator: John McKenzie, UNT Health Fort Worth

Building Collaborative Learning Communities to Drive Student Success
Marlborough B | eDesign Collaborative | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
Join the authors of Building Collaborative Learning Communities to Drive Student Success, recipients of this year’s UPCEA Frandson Award for Literature, as they host an interactive dive into their work around building cultures of collaboration and continuous improvement that directly enhance student outcomes. Participants will explore key topics such as mentorship, talent development, artificial intelligence, and the evolving role of online learning as a core institutional priority. Drawing on best practices and diverse perspectives, the session provides actionable tools for strengthening learning communities, advancing digital strategy, and leading meaningful change across campus. Designed for faculty, administrators, and academic leaders alike, this session delivers high-impact insights that attendees can immediately apply to support student success and institutional resilience.

• Robin Dhakal, University of Arizona Global Campus
• William Davis, University of Arizona Global Campus
• Kira Heske, University of Arizona Global Campus

Moderator: Jodene DeKorte, Purdue Global

Stop & Share Presentations
Grand Ballroom AB
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.

Moderator: Kelley Brandt, Boise State University

A Learning Architecture Schema for the Future
Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
With the multitudes of both popular and obscure learning and instructional theories, frameworks, taxonomies, models, methods, and more in educational literature, there has been a need to synthesize and organize these constructs into a unifying structure. This presentation will showcase how the classification schema evolved and how it can be used as a go-to resource for anyone in teaching and learning involved in the planning, designing, developing, and/or delivering learning experiences. Further, we will explore various scenarios that highlight how easily multiple paradigms across domains align to create coherent and consistent learning experiences.

• Stoney Gaddy, Tulane University
• Andrea Weissenbuehler, Tulane University

Beyond the Traditional App: A Scalable Path for Non-Credit Enrollment
Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Non-credit course registration can be tricky with institutional systems built for the “traditional” college application process. Join the University of Illinois Springfield and Eduframe, by Drieam, to learn more about how their partnership took on this challenge. If your institution is looking for ways to make course registration work for non-credit learners, we’d love to swap stories!

• Emily Keener, University of Illinois, Springfield
• Mieke Ridderhof, Drieam

Building Belonging from the Start: Reimagining Online Orientation to Welcome, Engage, and Connect Students at Mississippi State
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This session explores how Mississippi State Online redesigned its orientation to foster belonging, engagement, and community from day one. By integrating student-submitted “I Am” statements, MSU created a welcoming experience that affirms identity and encourages connection. The presentation also highlights creative elements like MSU-themed “easter eggs” to boost interaction and school spirit. Attendees will learn practical strategies to build inclusive, student-centered orientations that go beyond logistics and set the tone for online student success.

• Tracy Craven, Mississippi State University
• Mark Jimerson, Mississippi State University

Building Belonging: A Community-Centered Support Framework for Degree Completion Students
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This presentation presents the Community-Centered Support Framework, a research-based model developed to improve belonging, engagement, and persistence for adult learners in bachelor’s completion programs. Created through doctoral action research and piloted at an R1 university, the framework integrates a resource hub, peer mentorship, online community space, and targeted engagement opportunities. Attendees will learn how it was co-designed with students and staff, review pilot outcomes, and explore ways to adapt it for their own contexts. The session offers practical, evidence-informed strategies to address adult learners’ needs and improve retention and success in degree completion programs.

• Michael Jones, University of Connecticut

Collaboration by Design: Building a Better Process for Online Program Development
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied | Tag(s): Graduate Education
Discover how a program manager and a marketing strategist at a large university transformed their workflow for collaboration using a project management tool (Asana). This presentation will use a case study to show how intentional, collaborative planning and shared digital workspaces can streamline processes, improve communication, and align strategic goals for online degree program launches. Attendees will learn a useful framework for using technology to foster high-impact partnerships across internal, cross-functional teams.

• Ursula LaFosse, University of Michigan
• Whitney Bayer, University of Michigan

Creating a Framework for Offering Alternative Credentials at Mississippi State University
Credential Innovation | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
Mississippi State University is developing a structured framework for offering alternative credentials, ensuring consistency in creation, evaluation, and scalability. This presentation explores the research, methodology, and practical implementation behind designing a system that aligns with industry needs, supports workforce development, and enhances lifelong learning opportunities. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for integrating micro-credentials into higher education and how a well-defined framework can serve as a guiding model for institutions seeking to expand their credentialing strategies.

• Marian Montgomery Chancellor, Mississippi State University

Diversifying Faculty Development with Faculty Learning Communities
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
Faculty Learning Communities (FLCs) bring small, cross-disciplinary groups together for peer-led growth in online and hybrid teaching. Grounded in research, they strengthen inclusive pedagogy, encourage technology adoption, support faculty scholarship, and build campus-wide community. This presentation shares a practical framework for designing and sustaining FLCs, including strategies for recruitment, facilitator preparation, activity planning, and program evaluation – equipping participants with the tools to implement or enhance FLCs at their own institutions.

• Claire Arabie, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
• Francesco Crocco, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

E-learning for Undergrads
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
What can a self-paced, non-instructor-led e-learning course add to an undergraduate for-credit course? Survey data collected from students in a pilot course reveals a generally positive reception, with students reporting ease of use, high levels of motivation, and perceived learning gains compared to traditional formats. Participants in this session will be invited to engage with a live e-learning course while exploring the benefits of blending e-learning into the undergraduate curriculum. The presentation will highlight specific design features that contributed to student success, address challenges, and offer practical recommendations for incorporating similar elements into other online courses.

• Joan York, Oklahoma State University

First in Line: Lessons Learned in Being First in the University to Offer a Self-Support BA Completion Degree
Program Planning and Implementation | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
Institutions differ substantially in their experience offering self-support degree programs. This presentation outlines the unique challenges experienced when program developers proposed a self-support online BA in Psychology degree completion program within a comprehensive university that had little experience with undergraduate self-support programs. For each challenge encountered during program proposal, development, and early implementation, key takeaways will be presented to promote success for future program developers.

• Matthew Reimers, California State University, Long Beach
• David Whitney, California State University, Long Beach

From AI Hype to Impact: Co-Creating a Workforce Upskilling Model with Measurable ROI
Credential Innovation | Applied |
AI has transformed from a technical tool into a driving force for process improvement, reshaping operational excellence across industries. USF-CTPE recognized the need to integrate AI into its Operational Excellence Certificate but lacked bandwidth to meet employer demand. Partnering with Ziplines Education, we're creating a co-branded solution combining Ziplines' AI expertise with USF's established OPEX program. The result: AI-driven practical training that delivers measurable ROI—typically thousands in organizational impact per project. Join us for insights into this partnership and a blueprint other institutions can adapt.

• Mark Koulianos, University of South Florida
• Clayton Dean, Ziplines Education

From Brainstorm to Buy-In: A Foundational Framework for an A la Carte Approach to Campaign Development in Higher Ed
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
How do you, as an in-house marketing team, build a cross-functional campaign that leadership supports and your community embraces—when you're starting from scratch? This session walks through the foundational process of building a digital learning engagement campaign at Rice University. We'll share our creative strategy, which was built on a foundation of thought-mapping and team-wide participation to ensure buy-in and ownership. A core element of our success was an "À la carte" approach, allowing us to gain leadership support by offering flexible, tailored campaign components that aligned with their specific goals. Attendees will learn how to leverage internal creativity to overcome resource constraints, foster a culture of collaboration, and secure leadership buy-in for marketing initiatives. This session is designed for higher education marketing professionals who want to drive impactful change with budgets of all sizes.

• Cassandra Kopecky, Rice University
• Dani Newman, Rice University

From Pilot to Policy: Centralized Synchronous Learning as a Pathway
Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy, Faculty
This presentation explores the Centralized Synchronous Learning (CSL) Model, scaled from pilot courses to a required component of general education at a fully online institution. Designed to foster real-time engagement and support, CSL has significantly improved retention, achievement, and access—especially for at-risk and underrepresented students. Presenters will share implementation strategies, infrastructure, and policy shifts that made CSL successful. Attendees will gain a scalable blueprint to expand access for all learners across credit-bearing and alternative credential programs, with practical tools to reimagine general education through synchronous innovation.

• Allison Rief, University of Arizona Global Campus

From Red Flags to Recovery: Fraud Prevention & Response Management in Online Education
Business and Operations | Foundational | Tag(s): Policy
This presentation will focus on sharing proven strategies for preventing, identifying, and responding to instances of fraud in online education. Topics will include how to develop policies and SOPs that protect the integrity of your institution as well as the bottom line, how to leverage third-party vendors to identify and respond to suspected fraud, and how to empower students to effectively report and recover from identity theft.

• Abby Wernicki, Colorado State University Global

Peer Review Playground: Exploring Peerceptiv
eDesign Collaborative | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
Join us for a dynamic presentation where we’ll explore how Peerceptiv can transform peer review in your course. We’ll walk you through how it’s being used in real faculty collaborations and dive into its powerful features—including customizable rubrics, grading tools, and feedback options for both students and instructors. Whether you're new to Peerceptiv or looking to enhance your current use, this presentation will equip you with tips to make peer review more engaging and effective.

• Sydney Wilk, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Cairo Jones, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Rebecca Stooks, Virginia Commonwealth University

Responsibly Harnessing the Power of AI
Online Administration | Strategic | Tag(s): Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
This presentation will discuss the rapidly changing landscape of AI and discuss we can integrate AI strategically and ethically into curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

• Julin Sharp, Marist University

Small Budget, Big Impact: Turning Employee Feedback into a Great Place to Work
Online Administration | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
When your workplace is fully online, fostering engagement requires creativity, intentionality, and alignment with what employees value most. Purdue University Online met that challenge by creating the Great Place to Work (GPTW) committee, a cross-functional, employee-led group that integrates the university’s Mission, Vision, and Values into every initiative. Guided by staff survey feedback, the committee delivers budget-friendly, high-impact projects that strengthen belonging, boost engagement, and build a sustainable culture with leadership support. Attendees will leave with practical ideas, tools, and strategies to translate employee feedback into meaningful, lasting cultural improvements without the need for a large budget.

• Sarah Stearns, Purdue University

The Invisible Curriculum: Embedding Critical Thinking and Soft Skills by Design
eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
Soft skills like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration are essential but often invisible in course design. This session explores practical strategies to embed these competencies into online courses through backward design, assessment alignment, and scaffolded activities that make the invisible curriculum explicit, transferable, and measurable.

• Casey Rogers, Mississippi State University

Turning Student Heroes into Hero Content: Driving Traffic in an Age of AI Search
Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Applied |
This data-driven presentation demonstrates how student storytelling creates AI-resistant marketing that drives quality web traffic with evidence showing student stories generate 3x higher traffic engagement in the online population vs. traditional audience. Attendees learn frameworks for following user journeys and building alumni advocacy and gain tools to turn authentic narratives into sustainable traffic and awareness drivers. Perfect for marketing professionals seeking community-building strategies that thrive despite AI-disrupted search behaviors and declining click-through rates.

• Hope Aucoin, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Join this lively, informal conversation featuring recipients from the individual award categories of the 2026 UPCEA Association Awards. Award recipients will share insights from their career trajectories and leadership journeys, discuss challenges and lessons learned in their roles, and reflect on the future of our field.

• Stephen Scheib, Wilmington University
• Renee Kruep, University of Missouri
• David Cillay, Washington State University Global Campus
• Maureen Leahey, University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies

Moderator: Ilianna Kwaske, Tulane University

2026 Marketing Macro Trends: How to Ensure Your Enrollment-driving Strategies Stay Aligned
Grand Ballroom C | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Foundational | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
In 2026, higher ed marketing teams must align enrollment-driving strategies with rapidly shifting macro trends. This session unpacks the forces shaping the next 12-24 months—from AI-driven personalization to changes in ad technology and consumer behavior—and connects them directly to the student decision journey. Drawing on national data, industry research, and examples from Saint Joseph’s University, we’ll share a framework for evaluating whether current tactics match market realities, identifying when to pivot, and focusing resources for maximum ROI. Attendees will leave with a forward-looking playbook to proactively adapt, maintain relevance, and ensure marketing and enrollment efforts stay competitive.

• Francesca Reynolds, Saint Joseph's University
• Emily McMahon, Eduvantis

Moderator: Reyna Warren, University of Central Missouri

AI Agents, Hackathons, and 100s of Hours Saved: Reimagining Workflows at LSU
Marlborough A | Program Planning and Implementation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
Discover how LSU partnered with Glean to launch an AI-powered hackathon that empowered faculty and staff to build real AI agents, no coding required. This session shares how the event sparked innovation, improved operations, and equipped non-technical teams to solve campus-wide challenges. Learn how this model can be replicated to drive transformation at your own institution.

• Brian Davis, Louisiana State University
• Lisa Verma, Louisiana State University
• Connor Casey, Glean
• Allison Cary, Louisiana State University
• Neill Killgore, Louisiana State University

Moderator: Brian Davis, Louisiana State University

From Perception to Proof: Addressing Online Course Quality Concerns
Churchill C1 | Online Administration | Applied |
Online courses are often held to stricter quality standards than their in-person counterparts—despite limited evaluation structures for either. This session shares how our team identified metrics that resonate with leadership, gathered the data to counter persistent misconceptions, and reframed the conversation toward student success. Attendees will leave with adaptable strategies, proven data points, and a framework for demonstrating online course quality in ways that influence decision-makers and build institutional support.

• Jennifer Larson, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Erin Willis, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Moderator: Patrick Kelley, Oregon State University

Fast, Flexible, and High-Quality: Rethinking Course Design Workflows for Efficiency and Impact
Churchill B2 | eDesign Collaborative | Applied | Tag(s): Faculty, Graduate Education
How can institutions accelerate online course development without compromising quality? This session brings together two complementary approaches to rethinking design workflows. Tulane University’s Learning Design and Development Team will introduce “backward development,” a workflow extension of Backward Design (Wiggins & McTighe, 2005) that speeds onboarding, cuts rework, and leverages AI for efficiency while preserving authenticity and alignment. Purdue University’s Course Production Team will highlight rapid design strategies developed in partnership with faculty, emphasizing multimedia integration, the smart use of AI tools, and sustainable quality at scale. Together, these perspectives balance structured innovation with adaptable peer-driven practices, equipping attendees to design courses faster, smarter, and with sustained quality.

• Larissa Cremeens, Purdue University
• Connie Hahn, Purdue University
• Matt Charles, Purdue University
• Emily Craven, Purdue University
• Ashlie Davis, Tulane University

From Motivation to Graduation: Scaling a Proactive, Personalized Online Student Journey
Churchill A | Marketing, Enrollment and Student Success | Strategic | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
Online learners are more diverse than ever, with unique motivations, needs, and barriers to success. Yet institutions often approach recruitment and retention through fragmented systems or one-size-fits-all strategies. This joint session brings together national research and institutional practice to explore how data, design, and human connection can align to create a seamless, scalable online student experience—from the moment a learner inquires to the day they graduate. In the first half, Carnegie and St. Catherine University share results from a nationwide study capturing the voices of thousands of online learners, revealing where institutional assumptions and student expectations diverge—and how one mid-sized private university is using those insights to inform its own online strategy. In the second half, the University of Arizona Online offers a large-scale public perspective, showcasing a proactive, data-driven student success model supporting more than 10,000 learners. Together, these perspectives highlight what it takes to close the gap between motivation and graduation—and how institutions of any size can design systems that are both personal and scalable.

• Caleb Simmons, University of Arizona
• Jessica Salata, University of Arizona
• Dean Gething, Carnegie
• Lauran Hundshame, St. Catherine University
• Jaime Oleksik, Carnegie

Moderator: Paul Ballentine, Villanova University

Modeling Self-Regulated Learners with Digital Twins and Language Models: Insights into Performance and Learning Strategy Modifications
Churchill B1 | Graduate | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty, Graduate Education
This session presents a hybrid language model and simulation-based analysis of self-regulated learning. We model students’ learning and experiment with various conditions to identify the factors most closely associated with improved performance in the context of online education. Our findings highlight the critical role of peer and instructor support, particularly when students face challenging learning situations. Participants will engage with a data-driven, simulation-based environment designed to support and enhance student learning.

• Jeonghyun Lee, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Meryem Soylu Yilmaz, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Stephen Harmon, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Eric Sembrat, Georgia Institute of Technology

Unicorns Do Exist: Our Ongoing Quest for the Perfect Non-Credit Registration System
Churchill C2 | Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
As Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) reclaimed full control of their online portfolio and sought to bring our professional education offerings in house, the need for agile, well- integrated systems became urgent. Our institution faced this quest head-on—transitioning from a third-party OPM to an in-house model with a bold goal to rebuild a $10M multimillion dollar portfolio. After countless demos and rounds of solutioning, no solitary product offered the comprehensive functionality needed to truly kickstart and scale our operation. This reinforced the need for a custom, intentional approach, using systems and tools we currently had at our fingertips. Enter the end to end professional education registration system unicorn that we would build in house.

• Tara Gallo, Villanova University
• Sharon Roth-DeFulvio, Villanova University
• Todd McClincey, Villanova University

Moderator: Carlea White, Oregon State University

The Day 1,200 Students Came Back: Strategies to Re-Engage Online Adult Learners
Grand Ballroom D | Online Administration | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity
This session explores new national research on the lived experiences of online adult learners who have stopped out. Findings reveal cost as the top barrier to returning, yet 78% would re-enroll if offered free credits. We will examine the Finish Your Degree Day pilot—a one-day, partnership-based initiative that drew over 1,200 registrations—and its implications for online program design, student support, and re-engagement strategies. Co-presented by StraighterLine and the California Institute of Applied Technology, this session emphasizes research findings, institutional insights, and adaptable operational approaches that institutions of any type can use to remove barriers and re-engage online learners.

• Melanie Glennon, StraighterLine
• Kelly Nordstrom, StraighterLine
• Kirsten Barrera, California Institute of Applied Technology

Moderator: Ronni Tyger, Louisiana State University

The Leadership Edge: Navigating Shifts, Seizing Opportunities, and Shaping the Future
Churchill D | Business and Operations | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Policy
Leadership in continuing and online education demands vision, adaptability, and innovation. This panel features leaders at different career stages who share how their varied institutional experiences shaped their leadership. Through candid discussion, they will reveal strategies for navigating change, fostering collaboration, and aligning initiatives with mission and market needs. Participants will gain three actionable takeaways to enhance agility, spark innovation, and lead with purpose in the evolving higher education landscape.

• Nicole Westrick, Morgan State University
• Carolyn Callaghan, Western Carolina University
• Johanna Prado, William Patterson University
• Jill Boatright, Loyola University New Orleans

Moderator: Nicole Westrick, Morgan State University

Bridging the Divide: Designing a Faculty Credential for Online Teaching Excellence
Marlborough B | Credential Innovation | Applied | Tag(s): Engagement and Opportunity, Faculty
In response to growing demand for high-quality online instruction, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette launched Bridging the Divide: Statewide Faculty Credentialing for Online Teaching Excellence—a low-cost, scalable credential supported by the Louisiana Board of Regents. This session highlights the development and pilot of a four-course, self-paced program culminating in a capstone project and certificate. Presenters will share design strategies, pilot outcomes, and lessons learned from cross-institutional collaboration. Attendees will gain practical insights for developing competency-based credentials, supporting faculty development at scale, and leveraging partnerships to strengthen online teaching across institutions and regions. Ideal for academic leaders, designers, and faculty developers.

• Claire Arabie, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Award Presentations:

• Outstanding Continuing Education Student: Credit Award
• Excellence in Teaching Award