Welcome to the 2027 UPCEA Annual Conference!

April 13-15, 2027
Anaheim, CA

Dear Colleagues,

It is our pleasure to invite you to the 2027 UPCEA Annual Conference hosted in vibrant Anaheim, California from April 13-15. As always, this event is an invaluable opportunity for the best and the brightest in our community to share insights, build relationships, learn together, and solidify our place as online and professional continuing education leaders within our institutions and across the nation. We look forward to your participation and to the honest, insightful, and collaborative conversations that define the UPCEA community.

Our learners are at the center of everything we do. This steadfast commitment shapes the work we engage in at our institutions and within our communities. As budgets shrink, costs increase, and the very question of the value of higher education is debated, we know that what we do strengthens our communities. We are innovative, flexible, responsive, and collaborative. We are even a bit gritty, unafraid to try new things and pull the right minds and hands together to get the work done in service of our learners.

This flexibility and grit is reflected in the conference themes from 2026 and will be carried forward into 2027. Together, we hope to explore proven and emerging strategies to maintain stability, foster resilience, and create meaningful pathways for lifelong learning in an AI-powered landscape. This is a moment for us to leverage our collective wisdom and experience to make a lasting impact for our students and the wider world.

There’s nothing quite like a large group of dedicated leaders who “get it done” converging in one place. The energy is palpable and hopeful. At UPCEA, practitioners at all levels and across disciplines share stories, ideas, strategies and expertise, all with the aim of increasing impact. Regardless of institutional size, complexity, or focus, we are all connected and benefit greatly from being in each other’s presence.

So please join us in beautiful, sunny, southern California. With gorgeous beaches, mountain views, world-class cuisine, and the magic of Disney and the LA28 Olympics just around the corner, the energy of thousands of online and professional continuing education professionals will only add to the wonder and awe of the place we call home.

We look forward to meeting you and learning from you, and to collectively confront the opportunities and challenges that define our field today.

Carissa Little
Associate Dean, Stanford University
Co-Chair 2027 UPCEA Annual Conference

Kristine Collins
Dean, Division of Continuing Education, University of California, Irvine
Co-Chair 2027 UPCEA Annual Conference

Need a justification letter for your manager or organization on why you should attend? Download a template here.