| 7:30 AM |
Registration Open |
| 7:30 AM |
Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM |
Breakfast Briefing | An Inclusive, Universal Micro-credential Solution for Higher Education [Presidential Ballroom] |
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Room: Presidential Ballroom | Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Digital Technology, External Advocacy
A model will be presented that supports registrars incorporating badging and micro-credentials within higher education. The model builds on a UK Quality Assurance Agency national pilot project that showed how skills profiling can be used to link education to employment, and how badges and micro-credentials can be incorporated within higher education qualifications. The background to the model will be explained, demonstrating how it can support US continuing education practitioners to increase engagement, continuation and completion rates within higher education through a more flexible, motivating and personalized learning approach. Conceptually, it builds on Professor Sue Reece’s discussion paper on modular qualifications (QAA Quality Compass publication, April 2021) and Ward et al.'s work on personalized learning and 21st Century Skills. Practically, it highlights credit recognition pathways for badging and micro-credentialing through prior learning assessment (University of Huddersfield was one of the first universities in the world to recognize LinkedIn Learning for credit) and, more broadly, approaches institutions can take to incorporate both badges and micro-credentials in a robust manner while continuing to provide inclusive flexible learning opportunities. The session, therefore, also considers holistic inclusive higher education policy and practice, discussing how the work has informed the current version of the UK QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Computing, with its focus on personalized learning, and how such approaches can be built into an inclusive, globally-applicable solution for micro-credential use within US higher education.
- Rupert Ward, The Sino-British College, USST
- Sheryl Grant, New Trust Lab
- Robert McDonald, Colorado University, Boulder
Moderator: Amy Heitzman, UPCEA |
| 9:00 AM |
Concurrent Sessions III |
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Partnership Ecosystem for Success in the Alternative Credential Market
Room: Federal A | Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, Employer Engagement
HolonIQ reports over 85% of institutions consider alternative credentials as an important strategy for their future. Higher education leaders confirm interest in expanding alternative credential offerings. However, attempts to generate meaningful revenue from alternative credentials often fall short of expectations. Few institutions are equipped with the skills, personnel, or systems to compete in the alternative credential market. A strategic partnership ecosystem provides the expertise necessary to realize goals. This panel will address strategies for developing a partnership ecosystem and key functions necessary for success in the alternative credential market. Examples of two partnership ecosystems will be presented by institution panelists.
- Tracy Chapman, Collegis Education
- Troy Hargrove, Saint Louis University
- Alison Darling, Queens University
- Graham Tutti, Traction Rec for Education
Moderator: Dee Masiello, Suffolk University
Impact of Micro-credentials and Micro-pathways for New Majority Learners
Room: South American | Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, The Learner Experience
Microcredentials and micro-pathways now being offered in post-secondary institutions reflect the interest towards skill and competency based learning. More employers are eliminating degree requirements and focusing on skills and experience to address talent shortages. (L)earners are looking for accessible, affordable, stackable, portable credentials that lead to in demand, good paying jobs. Hear from forward leading community college leaders in their effort to design and offer microcredentials and micro-pathways to serve (l)earners in their communities.
- Luke Dowden, Alamo Colleges District
- Ian Roark, Pima Community College
- Molly Phelps, Bunker Hill Community College
- Lisa Larson, Education Design Lab
Moderator: Noah Geisel, University of Colorado, Boulder
From Partnerships to Pathways: Collaborative Approaches to Credential Innovation
Room: Statler | Level: Strategic | Track: Administration
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, Employer Engagement
The workforce landscape is constantly evolving, and higher education institutions must adapt to meet the needs of today's learners and employers. Credential innovation is a critical tool in this effort, allowing institutions to create new pathways to professional and workforce success. In this session, Old Dominion University will explain how they have leveraged partnerships with third-party vendors, other colleges and universities, and internal faculty to develop and scale innovative credentials that meet workforce and professional standards.
- Robert Doherty, Old Dominion University
- Renee Felts, Old Dominion University
Moderator: Javier Motta-Mena, University of Texas at Austin
Credential Innovation to Support Workforce: Empirical Data from Learner Experiences
Room: Senate | Level: Applied | Track: Administration
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, External Advocacy
This panel discussion will frame the ecosystem of alternative credentials in the workforce and higher education with respect to key challenges employers, students, and institutions face around designing and implementing alternative credential programs and offerings. The panel will share findings of a national empirical study conducted by UPCEA on learners who’ve pursued alternative credentials and institutional leaders about how they perceive alternative credentials. Study results focus on students’ perceptions and reasons for choosing postsecondary education, their goals for expanding workforce skills, and their lived experience in terms of their journey through gaining an alternative credential.
- Bruce Etter, UPCEA
- Louis Soares, American Council on Education (ACE)
Moderator: Amy Smith, StraighterLine
Creating a Universitywide Digital Credentialing Program at a Large, Multi-campus, R1 University
Room: Congressional | Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Faculty
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, Digital Technology
Rutgers University developed a digital badging and digital certificate program to consolidate digital credentialing efforts across 4 campuses, serving nearly 100,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, continuing education professionals, and community members. Structural guidelines provide for consistency in branding, assessment, and record keeping while enabling local-level program review and approval. Participants will learn of their program development challenges, the pilot program, migrating to a new software platform, communications, successes, and the challenges yet ahead.
- Ann Gould, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
- Christopher Retzko, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Moderator: Kevin Mellon, MindEdge
Achievement Wallets and Alternative Credentials are Unlocking Pathways to Opportunity
Room: Federal B | Level: Strategic | Track: Registrar | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: The Learner Experience, Employer Engagement
Learners today face unsettling economic realities. In today’s everchanging workforce, talent is everywhere…opportunity is not. At Western Governors University, we are accelerating efforts in our digital credentialing practice and to ensure that every graduate is equipped to thrive and provided the support they need to unlock pathways to opportunity. During this session, we will share our experience working with a wide collaborative of partners in designing, developing, and deploying the WGU Achievement Wallet. Join us as we share lessons learned in our efforts to empower learners in a new era of alternative credentialing.
- Kacey Thorne, Western Governors University
- Darin Hobbs, Western Governors University
- Kymberly Lavigne-Hinkley, Western Governors University
- Deb Everhart, Credential Engine
Moderator: Stephanie Mullette, StraighterLine
Upskilling Department of Defense Senior Leadership in Artificial Intelligence: Solving a Cold Start Problem through a Partnership between Academia and Government
Room: Massachusetts | Level: Strategic | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, Professionalism
Upskilling programs for working professionals exposes them to new knowledge, frameworks, and skills that directly influence how they solve problems. The context for our presentation is upskilling of senior DoD leaders in AI in support of their respective Missions. Given obvious national security implications it is critical that we commit every effort to provide best-in-class training. Our work demonstrates a robust and systematic approach to the development of a comprehensive and scalable learning ecosystem for upskilling senior executives. The model we will share can be replicated in other academic domains as well as workforce development contexts other than the US government.
- Khusro Kidwai, Johns Hopkins University
- John Radovan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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| 10:00 AM |
Networking Break: Visit Exhibit Hall |
| 10:30 AM |
Concurrent Sessions IV |
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Filling Skills Gaps through Employer Partnerships in the UW Skills Forward Project
Room: South American | Level: Applied | Track: Administration
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, Digital Technology
University of Wisconsin-Extended Campus (UWEX) will discuss a University-to-Business pilot project (funded by Walmart Corp.) in which they partnered with large regional employers to develop and deliver fully online, asynchronous, skills-based training courses aimed at filling the specific skills gaps the employers have experienced. Courses were conducted over an 8-week timeframe. At the end of the courses, those who successfully completed received digital badges to share with their employers and post on their social media profiles. Future work will include building a business model and technology infrastructure to include the participation of all 13 UW campus partners.
- Alissa Oelfke, University of Wisconsin - Extended Campus
- Matthew Mayeshiba, University of Wisconsin - Extended Campus
- Kristi Millhiser, Exact Sciences
Moderator: Tifarah Pardue, Florida Gulf Coast University
New Game-Mode Unlocked: Earning Real College Credit
Room: Senate | Level: Strategic | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, Professionalism
Earning college credit for playing video games sounds like the stuff dreams are made of! But, how do you translate a blockbuster video game into a college credit opportunity? In 2022, the University of Arizona Online partnered with Microsoft's World's Edge studio and Relic Entertainment to offer a unique opportunity for players to earn college credit through mastery of the Age of Empires IV video game and supplemental “Illuminated Histories” content developed by UArizona faculty. Presenters will share insights about the collaboration across the university (and corporate partners) in order to bring “history alive” for gamer-students.
- Carmin Chan, University of Arizona
- Kara Aquilano Forney, University of Arizona
- Alex Underwood, University of Arizona
- Rebecca Cook, University of Arizona
Moderator: Aaron Lawrence, SmartBrief
It’s All About the Competency: Lessons Learned from the Launch of a Literacy Micro-Credential Initiative Supporting K-12 Educators
Room: Federal A | Level: Foundational | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: The Learner Experience, External Advocacy
The Flamingo Literacy Micro-Credential is an online, competency-based professional development system based on the Science of Reading. The Micro-Credential provides learning pathways for educators from birth-grade 12. Educators participating in the birth through pre-k pathway receive a stipend upon program completion. Educators in the birth to five pathway earn a completion stipend and continuing education units; those in the pre-k through twelfth-grade pathways earn credit toward multiple State of Florida teacher certification requirements.
- Amanda Pate, University of Florida
- Robert Moore, University of Florida
- Bryn Humphrey, University of Florida
Moderator: Jessica McLain, University of Minnesota
DEI + Micro-credentials: Using Alternative Credentials as Gateway to Serving New Populations
Room: Statler | Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Digital Technology, The Learner Experience
Alternative credentials have the power to reshape higher education (and learners’ trajectories), and institutions are using them well to enhance existing degree saliency, to address gaps in workforce preparedness, and differentiate their alums in the marketplace. What about those learners not already in a pipeline or funnel? How can higher education leverage alternative credentials to address, attract, retain, and engage new and, potentially, underserved populations? In this lively panel, hear from leaders whose research and pilot programs are guiding their institutions toward mission-minded program expansion and inclusion, meeting learners and employers where they are.
- Angie Kamath, New York University
- Kimberly Underwood, University of Phoenix
- Ann Prime-Monaghan, Thomas Edison State University
- Kate Giovacchini, Arizona State University
Moderator: Amy Heitzman, UPCEA
Micro-credentials Live: Three University Micro-credential Models from a Registrar Lens
Room: Federal B | Level: Applied | Track: Registrar | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, Professionalism
Have you considered offering microcredentials at your institution but don’t know where to even begin? Considerations for credit, noncredit, transcript visible, badge visible, and other options will all be discussed. Three university registrars will discuss their institution's journey rolling out microcredentials to date. They will share their successes and lessons learned including which units with whom they partnered, which academic programs were most interested, which programs awarded the most credentials and other valuable nuggets that could assist other schools in successfully piloting microcredentials. Participants should come prepared to ask questions relative to their own experiences and their unique institution’s situation.
- Rebecca Mathern, Oregon State University
- Brenda Selman, University of Missouri
- Kara Saunders, University of Buffalo
Moderator: Karen Battye, Auburn University
Charting New Territory: A Journey in the Development of a New Stackable Degree
Room: Massachusetts | Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, The Learner Experience
Stackable credentials are flexible educational opportunities that provide learners with multiple pathways. Previous research suggests that stackable credentials can reduce barriers to completion for non-traditional students. A stackable degree program at Kennesaw State University was designed with multiple pathways in the Digital Financial Technologies (FinTech), MS program. The curriculum team identified ideal programs and engaged stakeholders in program development, incorporating successful programs such as micro-credential initiatives, credit for prior learning, and Community and Professional Education involvement. The presentation provides a potential roadmap for institutions looking to create a stackable credential program, including lessons learned during program development.
- Brendan Callahan, Kennesaw State University
- Ashley Archer Doehling, Kennesaw State University
- Michelle Head, Kennesaw State University
- Anissa Vega, Kennesaw State University
Roundtable Sessions
Room: Congressional
Session Format: 25 to 30-minute table-based, small-group, guided discussion about a specific and timely topic, question, or issue. During one, 60-minute concurrent session, multiple Roundtable presenters concurrently share their ideas at one round table each (up to 9 attendees can fit at each table), and promote the sharing of thoughts, solutions, and questions among their respective tables’ attendees. Roundtables are designed to provide space and time to important but particularly nuanced topics which deserve attention, and as such, attendees are free to move between tables. The Roundtable session will have a moderator who will welcome attendees, invite them to find a topic/table of their choice, and watch the time, inviting presenters to host their discussions twice during the hour, to allow attendees to engage with up to two different topics.
No Longer Optional: Launching Dynamic Email Content to Engage PCO Prospects
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Digital Technology, Professionalism
Tufts University College and Viv Higher Education will share lessons learned in launching dynamic content nurture streams in Hubspot. This presentation will cover developing content strategy, building the dynamic content, implementing it in the CRM, reporting on it, and how it impacted students’ experiences.
- Audra DeLaney, Viv Higher Education
- Tara Pope, Tufts University College
Mind The Gap: A Microcredential Strategy to Empower Students
Level: Foundational | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: The Learner Experience, External Advocacy
Much has already been said about traditional transcripts' inability to capture college students' myriad skills and abilities. New solutions including LERs, CLRs, and Digital Wallets offer promising solutions for the long term, but what can be done now to assist students in telling their own stories of growth? A microcredential strategy that spotlights the skills, knowledge, and abilities they build within, across, and outside their coursework offers a short-term solution for this challenge.Although this approach has been implemented at various higher education institutions, what we propose takes into consideration the specific challenges, policies, etc., of an R1 institution.
- Javier Motta-Mena, University of Texas at Austin
From One to One Billion: Creating Opportunities for People Globally
Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Digital Technology, External Advocacy
Hear from innovative leaders in the credentialing ecosystem explaining four essential ingredients to driving mass adoption and accessibility within the credentialing ecosystem: (1) working through existing technology ecosystems, (2) enabling full interoperability, (3) incenting participation and (4) fostering collaborative effort. Speaking directly to institutional leaders and their teams, this interactive presentation will feature multiple leaders from both the education sector and the world of work to explain key concepts and share practical experiences of organizations who are implementing solutions and cooperatively driving mass adoption.
- Naomi Szekeres, Velocity Network Foundation
- Jim Owens, Velocity Network Foundation
Blazing a Quality Trail in the Wild West of Badging and Credentials
Level: Applied | Track: Registrar | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, Professionalism
Ninety five percent of employers see benefits in their staff earning micro credentials according to a recent survey (Collegis Education/UPCEA, 2023). However, many employers expressed concern about the lack of standardization and measuring authenticity. The badging and digital credentials landscape is often considered the “wild west.” To date, there are no universal standards governing quality. This round table session will encourage discussions of possible standards along with the technology being utilized for badging and credentialing. The session offers participants the opportunity for in-depth dialogue including sharing best practices, gaining insights from colleagues, and discussing “what’s next” including Comprehensive Learner Records.
- Lynda Wilson, California State University, Dominguez Hills
Journey to a Shared Micro-Credentials Language Across the Institution
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: The Learner Experience, External Advocacy
University of Calgary Continuing Education is working on creating shared language and documentation around what micro credentials are or will be across the institution. The process has been a journey of fits and starts toward consensus in communicating a broad definition of micro credentials with students, employers, and others. The ongoing journey involves all continuing education areas: Registrarial, Marketing, Teaching and Learning Services, and Governance. The aimed objectives of our work are to establish clarity and consistency in definitions, determine the composition and complexity of the micro credential badging - including branding elements, and set up an efficient process to issue and manage badges. The proposed UCalgary model of development could be described as an iterative and heuristic leveraging of existing structures, workflows, and frameworks.We are working on finding a balance in our unit, institution, and larger governmental oversight bodies to avoid both small-box binding prescriptiveness, as well as the bloom of wildflowers. We will present and share discussion on the front-facing student view with the current and future back-end of micro credentials and micro credential badging.
- Gabriela Santamaria, University of Calgary
- Terumi Taylor, University of Calgary
Accelerating to Opportunity: Implementing a Unified Achievement Framework for Learners to Earn and Demonstrate Value
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, Employer Engagement
Micro-credentials are becoming increasingly common, and the desire to offer them spans industry and education. But what exactly are these new offerings? How big or small should they be? And Which micro-credentials should my organization offer? This session will discuss how WGU recently implemented a Unified Achievement Framework and the lessons learned from the rollout.
- Tyson Heath, Western Governors University
- Kacey Thorne, Western Governors University
Defining the Beginning Together: Opening Strategies for Developing and Implementing Microcredentials at our Institutions
Level: Applied | Track: Administration |
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, Employer Engagement
This roundtable discussion will share a mid-sized public research university’s progress on crafting an institutional approach to integrating digital alternative credentials across campus. Roundtable facilitators will provide insight on how the institution is approaching strategy development and share the resources used to build a theoretical foundation for and the exploratory questions guiding this work. Participants will have ample time to discuss their own experiences with developing alternative digital credentials and learn from one another.
- Sarah MacDonald, James Madison University
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| 11:30 AM |
Lunch and General Session | Working with Employers: Leveraging Micro-credentials to Meet Workforce Need [Presidential Ballroom] |
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- Jill Buban, Arizona State University (formerly EdAssist)
- Kathleen deLaski, Education Design Labs
- Clayton Lord, SHRM Foundation
Moderator: Aaron Brower, UPCEA (formerly University of Wisconsin) |
| 1:00 PM |
Concurrent Sessions V |
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Strategic Innovation: Building a Better Infrastructure for Microlearning
Room: Federal A | Level: Applied | Track: Administration
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, Professionalism
Advancing microlearning for professional education requires strategic planning to establish the infrastructure and workflows necessary for success. This presentation details the innovative approach taken at William & Mary, a selective public liberal arts university in Virginia. Attendees will explore the three-stage process that led to a human-centered approach to professional learning: infrastructure, strategic partner recruitment, and system implementation. Participants will make connections with their work through a guided planning process.
- Diana Theisinger, William & Mary
- Adam Barger, William & Mary
- Mark Hofer, William & Mary
Moderator: Lee Maxey, MindMax
Integrating Microcredentials into Undergraduate Experiences
Room: Senate | Level: Applied | Track: Administration
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, The Faculty Experience
Microcredentials are growing exponentially, and they have many purposes. Discover how the University of Texas System is integrating microcredentials into undergraduate experiences through its partnerships with Coursera as a way to provide learners with the skills, knowledge, and competencies most valued by employers. The University of Texas at Arlington’s (UTA) Power Up + Tech Up program will be featured as an example of this work given their innovative program coaches students in STEM and non-STEM majors through recognition of their “power” skills aligned with the eight NACE competencies and completion of industry-recognized microcredentials of value from leaders like Google to broadly educate and specifically skill students for higher first-year earnings and career success in a rapidly changing employment market.
- Karen Elzey, Workcred
- Kelvin Bentley, The University of Texas System
- Amber Smallwood, University of Texas, Arlington
- Robin Macaluso, University of Texas, Arlington
- Kimberley Poelman, Coursera
Moderator: Julie Uranis, UPCEA
Creating Incremental Value for Learners: The Intersection of Skills and Quality Alternative Credentials
Room: Federal B | Level: Strategic | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, External Advocacy
In a time when the value of a college degree is under continuous scrutiny, and the opportunity for alternate pathways to workforce readiness are ever increasing, ensuring high-quality credentials is imperative. How can we transform the landscape of alternative credentials with a critical eye on quality? Join Western Governors University and Jobs for the Future to explore new models and methodologies from our unique organizations in order to support more workforce-aligned, alternative credentials for learners. We will share use cases, data, and how we have operationalized our unique models for more consistency, transparency, and quality in alternative credentials.
- Kacey Thorne, Western Governors University
- Meena Naik, Jobs for the Future
- Tyson Heath, Western Governors University
Moderator: Colin Lumsden, Springboard
Catalyzing a Paradigm Shift: A First in the Nation Data Collaborative for Alternative Credentials
Room: South American | Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, The Learner Experience
Time to completion and rising costs of higher education are resulting in decreased access to credentials for those in underserved communities, contributing to a skills gap and increased inequity in the workplace. Increasingly, institutions are deploying short-term, stackable, non-degree credentials focused on in-demand skills to better prepare learners for the workplace. Yet, concerns remain with ease of implementation, learning efficacy, employer adoption, and labor market value of short-term credentials (e.g., D’Agostino, 2023). Data is needed to better understand skills-based learning and inform the way to alternative credentials. This presentation showcases collaborative efforts between Education Design Lab (Lab), Credential Engine, the National Clearinghouse, Brighthive, and Education & Employment Research Center (EERC) in launching a Data Collaborative for a Skills-Based Hiring, a multi-source data infrastructure to support institutions implementing alternative credentials, inform program evaluation, and data storytelling about enrollment, progression, retention, completion, and labor/wage outcomes. The micro-pathways established via the Community College Growth Engine (CCGE), an initiative with 43 community colleges funded by 15 foundations and investors, provide a first use case with data flows already established in a cloud data structure supported by Brighthive and feeding dashboards built and maintained by the Lab for early insights
- Naomi Boyer, Education Design Lab
- Lisa Larson, Education Design Lab
- Matt Gee, Brighthive
- Deb Everhart, Credential Engine
- Faby Gagne, Education Design Lab
Moderator: Christopher Steele, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Student Record Holds: The National Landscape
Room: Statler | Level: Foundational | Track: Registrar | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: External Advocacy, Professionalism
The session will provide an overview of developments and share insights on policies, legislation, and practice across the nation related to the placing of holds on student records.
- Jared Abdirkin, New England Board of Higher Education
- Jenny Parks, Midwestern Higher Education Compact
- Olivia Tufo, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Moderator: John Papinchak, Carnegie Mellon University
Trust at the Speed of Innovation: Moving Fast Without Breaking Hearts and Losing Minds
Room: Massachusetts | Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, External Advocacy
Credential innovation in Higher Education takes the expertise of many different stakeholder groups that include such areas as schools, colleges, departments, as well as registrar, bursar, online education, continuing education and others. In this thought provoking panel, experts from these areas will discuss high level considerations for strategy and governance of credential innovation.
- Robert McDonald, University of Colorado Boulder
- Wendy Colby, Boston University
- Veronica Donahue, Johns Hopkins University
Stop & Share Sessions
Room: Congressional
Session Format: Hosted during one concurrent session in a large room with multiple tables, Stop & Share presenters will each have their own table, as well as a slide template of up to six slides, uploaded to the app and for presentation (on rotation) on their own laptop or tablet, to allow brief, synchronous conversations with attendees stopping in and milling about. Each informal conversation will center around a hot topic, best practice, or technological innovation.
Digital Credentials: Supporting Career Journeys Through High-Demand Skills
Level: Foundational | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, The Learner Experience
Our institution, like many higher educational institutions, has been challenged to overcome the workforce skills gap and the devaluing of the college degree. Our digital credential strategy intentionally closes the gap between the classroom and workplace by aligning university, program, and course outcomes to marketplace skills to enable students to articulate what they know, using employer language, and differentiate themselves through digital credentials. Whether your institution has been issuing digital credentials for some time, or you’re just starting out, or even if you’re just badge-curious, this session is for you!
- Kathryn Uhles, University of Phoenix
Supporting the Adult Learner Through the Portability and Durability of Skills-Based Credentials
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, The Learner Experience
Excelsior University developed online building blocks to offer flexible and personalized options for its diverse student body of working adults, including certificates and experiential learning in courses. The School of Business labels key skills in courses, identifies the ways students will use skills on the job, and helps students to demonstrate and reflect on what they have learned to build connections. Attendees will learn how they can ensure portability of their business degrees through better curricular design and programmatic offerings, as well as help students to showcase in-demand skills in their digital profiles and conversations with employers in online courses.
- Leah Sciabarrasi, Excelsior University
- Scott Dolan, Excelsior University
Revolutionizing Learner Mobility with ASU Pocket: Lessons from Enterprise Credentialing Transformation
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Digital Technology, External Advocacy
As the global workforce continues to evolve, the demand for accessible, flexible, and innovative educational pathways is becoming increasingly critical. In this groundbreaking session, our team will unveil ASU Pocket, a cutting-edge credentialing solution on the path to revolutionize learner mobility and agency, and the future of education. In the summer of 2023, we released ASU Pocket Beta 1.0 to the entire ASU community of 160,000 students, faculty and staff. In this session, we will provide an exclusive first look at the Beta version of ASU Pocket, revealing its transformative capabilities for students, educators, and industry stakeholders alike, and discuss lessons learned from the first enterprise-wide rollout of the next-generation credentialing technology.
- Timothy Summers, Arizona State University
- Marianna Milkis-Edwards, Arizona State University
Online Workforce College: Stackable Learning and Micro-credentials at Scale
Level: Strategic | Track: Registrar | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, Entrepreneurial Initiative
The Online Workforce College is a fully online, self-paced, & on-demand skills training platform based out of Jones County Junior College (Ellisville, Mississippi). The platform was built to offer expanded learner opportunities by offering affordable, flexible, work-ready skills training for employment. A scalable highly customizable solution, employers are given affordable, yet valuable pathways to meet their specific training goals. Individual learners experience a seamless learning journey, stacking small courses into skills training programs. OWC has grown over the past 2 years and has been adopted by individuals, community colleges, employers, and others who understand the value of a highly skilled, competent workforce.
- Michael Trest, Jones College
- Thomas Ohlenforst, Drieam
Recruiting Faculty to Embrace Alternative Credentials
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Faculty
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, The Faculty Experience
Mississippi State University College of Professional and Continuing Studies has developed a strategy to recruit faculty to embrace alternative credentials. The approach involves providing faculty with their own micro credential in virtual reality curriculum development, which gives them an authentic understanding of micro credential training and helps them see the value of the new model. The session will highlight the outcomes related to improving their ability to secure external funding, improving learning outcomes for students, and joining a community of innovative curriculum developers. Attendees will gain insight into effective recruitment strategies that promote innovation and growth through alternative credentials.
- Ryan Walker, Mississippi State University
Transforming the Academy: Leveraging Institutional Resources and Regional Relationships to Design Innovative New Industry-Responsive Microcredentials
Level: Strategic | Track: Administration | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, Employer Engagement
In 2022, Mercy College’s months-old Division of Workforce Credentialing and Community Impact partnered with White Plains Hospital on an unprecedented dual-track noncredit program in two high demand healthcare specializations through a collaboration involving joint program design and implementation. The program incorporated just-in-time needs of the Hospital, content reflecting contemporary issues in healthcare, and application of the College’s resources, curricula, and faculty in completely new ways. Attendees will learn about starting up a new division from scratch by engaging vital community partners and transforming traditional academic program development while exploring approaches for identifying lucrative, game-changing microcredential expansion at their institutions.
- Brian Amkraut, Mercy College
- Lisa Braverman, Mercy College
Comprehensive Learner Record: It Takes a Partnership to go From Concept to Reality
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, The Learner Experience
Temple University’s Office of the University Registrar partnered with the Fox School of Business and other internal stakeholders to implement a comprehensive learner record. To manage data related to co-curricular pathways and achievements, Fox partnered with Suitable, a student engagement platform that provides a virtual roadmap for the entire student lifecycle. The Office of the University Registrar partnered with Parchment to create the CLR visual document and issue the CLR to the students via their Award platform. A governance model was established to uphold the CLR and the data it contains.
- Bhavesh Bambhrolia, Temple University
- Charles Allen, Temple University
- Jason Weaver, Parchment
Playbook for Creating and Increasing the Value of Alternative Credentials: How Stanford Builds Meaningful Pathways to Socio-economic Mobility through a Stackable Credential Framework
Level: Strategic | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, Professionalism
Stanford University, a decentralized institution, ratified a credential framework that standardizes requirements and rigor across a large portfolio of online and global education programs offering stackable, alternative credentials. The Stanford Center for Professional Education (SCPD) helped Stanford develop the credential framework, stewards it, and issues the majority of noncredit alternative credentials through Stanford Online. SCPD designed stackability into the framework, issuing credit-bearing graduate education certificates, which increase access to master’s degree programs. Last year, SCPD launched a digital badging and certificate system that automates the instant, electronic delivery of credential documents as immutable records, verified on the blockchain – giving students control over their records and the ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills to employers. Get the team's playbook.
- Carissa Little, Stanford University
- Robert Prakash, Stanford University
- Judith Romero, Stanford University
Customized Alternative Credentials: Meeting the Skills Gap One Employer at a Time
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, Employer Engagement
Continuing, Professional, and Online Education units continually evolve to keep pace with changing industry demands. Training & development is a crucial component for employers to remain competitive. The Great Resignation is a huge struggle. While there are universal training needs, increasingly employers want to customize alternative credentials for their employees.Two case studies will be presented that represent employer partnership collaborations to curate a series of training that meets customized training needs for their employees. Closing the skills gap is at the forefront for these collaborations!
- Lisa Verma, LSU Online & Continuing Education
- Patrick Box, LSU Online & Continuing Education
What we Learned about Micro-credential Learners
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, The Faculty Experience
The Alamo Colleges District, a very large community college district of Hispanic Serving Institutions, released an Insight Series, looking at early results on its journey to elevate training options since introducing micro-credentials into the Alamo Colleges District. This six-part series tells AlamoONLINE’s story of exploration, innovation, and learning. The series documents and shares findings, successes, and opportunities for improvement. In 2020, the District expanded its services to include micro-credentialing to enhance students' educational experiences and strengthen each college’s capacity to deliver premier, quality digital learning experiences. Learn about the outcomes of engaging #workerlearners, partnering with business and industry, and making skills visible for learner earners.
- Luke Dowden, Alamo Colleges District
Credentialing in Innovative After School STEM/STEAM Program
Level: Strategic | Track: Administration | Tag: Diversity/Inclusion
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: The Learner Experience, External Advocacy
Fin Future Techies (FFT) after-school STEM/STEAM program conceived by Fiserv, Inc. will be described, external evaluation findings shared; and attendee input sought regarding credentials to award to successive cohorts of middle schoolers. FFT tenets honor community service and upskilling, directly exposing youngsters to professional standards with by practitioners teaching topics; and crafting FFT to build interest in the FinTech industry sector among learners who eventually will become job seekers.
- Gale Tenen Spak, New Jersey Institute of Technology (Emeritus)
- Linda Wellbrock, Firserv
Light the Path: How You Can Go from Concept to Credentials to Scale in Building Your Micro-Credential Program
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Faculty
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, The Faculty Experience
Choose your starting point. There is no single way to launch and scale micro-credentials. Hear how one system, Alamo Colleges District, went from concept to credentials to a plan for scale. Discover the framework they used and consider how to apply it to your institution. Whether you’ve started on micro-credentials, are just thinking about it, or aren’t yet at this point, this is your chance to join the discussion, consider the potential, and start making a plan. You’ll come away with tools in hand and the first step completed.
- Luke Dowden, Alamo Colleges District
- Julie Johnson, StrategyForward Advisors
Building a Micro-credential: A Case Study from the Metaverse
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: The Learner Experience, Digital Technology
An in-depth look a case study to developed and implemented micro-credentials in VR. The workshop will explore the three critical components of this development process, which includes establishing industry partnerships, developing a value-added marketing strategy for recruitment, and monitoring longitudinal outcomes for participants. The workshop will include a collaborative, working session that will guide participants through the process of addressing each step of the process. Attendees will have the opportunity to brainstorm ideas and develop a plan to create their own micro-credential programs that meet the needs of their stakeholders.
- Ryan Walker, Mississippi State University
- Susan Seal, Mississippi State University
Credential Design in Complex Contexts: Developing Cost-Effective Solutions That Also Provide Choice for Diverse Users.
Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Diversity/Inclusion
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, Digital Technology
Through a federal government grant, the University of Adelaide are developing and delivering a suite of online micro-credentials for the teacher workforce across Australia to build capability in critical pedagogies. The project presents diverse challenges in credential design and delivery. Firstly, the sector consists of educators across all career stages, teaching contexts and levels of expertise. Secondly, micro-credentials need to serve more than one purpose to maximise value, including pathway opportunities to post-graduate award study. And lastly, limited grant funding needs to be used in innovative ways to ensure value for money.
In response to these challenges, the team have created a micro-credential design that enables multiple entry points, fosters the emergence of a community of practice and delivers modularised content for greater user choice. Participants interested in post-graduate study can undertake an optional assessment credential and a trained AI tool will provide cost-effective base-level student support and assessment marking.
- Nina James, University of Adelaide
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| 2:00 PM |
Networking Break: Visit Exhibit Hall |
| 2:30 PM |
Concurrent Sessions VI |
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Lessons learned and Milestones Ahead: Credential as You Go and Learn & Work Ecosystem Library
Room: Federal A | Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, The Learner Experience
The panel will describe two related national initiatives, Credential As You Go and the Learn & Work Ecosystem Library, focusing on key lessons learned for higher education. Lessons from the Credential As You Go Network of 54 institutions including eight higher education systems, 44 institutions, and two credentialing organizations will include 2023 research findings from: (1) focus groups of 60 higher education participants in the incremental credentialing movement discussing the influences both supporting and constraining this important reform of the U.S. degree-centric system; (2) inventory of state-level special projects influencing higher education reforms; and (3) outcomes of a national prototype mapping effort of projects working to improve the system. Lessons from the Library will focus on the types of information available to assist those working to improve the learn-and-work ecosystem, and early takeaways in use in its first year of operation. An open discussion will follow the panel.
- Nan Travers, Credential As You Go
Moderator: Holly Zanville, Credential As You Go
Micro What? Our Journey to Awarding Microcredentials
Room: Federal B | Level: Foundational | Track: Administration | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, The Learner Experience
How do you create a new credit-based credential at a large, decentralized R1 University? You find great partners across campus and make it a collaborative effort! Hear about Oregon State University’s journey as we discuss our online microcredential program for current and prospective students. After 18 months, we’re offering 36 different microcredentials and have awarded 300 badges. We’ll discuss the collaborative efforts between academic affairs (including the office of the registrar) and Ecampus, our online education division. Additionally, we will focus on the considerations that helped us decide how to structure the microcredentials, allowing for a streamlined process.
- Rebecca Mathern, Oregon State University
- Lisa Templeton, Oregon State University
- Jarrell Townsend, Oregon State University
Moderator: Brendan Guenther, Michigan State University
Three Things You Must Do to Make Your Microcredentials Program a Success
Room: Congressional | Level: Strategic | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, Employer Engagement
Get valuable tips and advice to help strengthen your microcredentials program and deliver more value to your learners. We've identified three of the most challenging elements needed for success with digital credentials in higher ed, including: Creating a strategic governance model, Connecting and partnering with employers, and Improving education-to-career pathways through more effective curriculum design. Hear from three experts in the field about how they tackle these challenges. Come ready to share your experiences and get answers to your questions.
- Janelle Elias, Rio Salado Community College
- Anissa Vega, Kennesaw State University
- Luke Dowden, Alamo Colleges District
- Kelly Hoyland, 1EdTech
Moderator: Alissa Oelfke, University of Wisconsin Extended Campus
Credential Innovation for Healthcare Workforce
Room: South American | Level: Foundational | Track: Administration | Tag: Diversity/Inclusion
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, The Learner Experience
In this session, the Washington University in St. Louis School of Continuing & Professional Studies and BioSTL, a St. Louis regional leader in cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce will illustrate a specific implementation of an innovative model to prepare adult learners to enter into the healthcare profession. They developed a pathway for individuals to complete a noncredit applied healthcare microcredential as a pre-apprenticeship. Seeking to diversify the healthcare industry and provide upward economic mobility, the partners are committed to recruiting and preparing underrepresented populations to be successful.
- Angi Taylor, BioSTL
- Sean Armstrong, Washington University in St. Louis
- Kilinyaa Cothran, Washington University in St. Louis
- Jodie Lloyd, Washington University in St. Louis
Moderator: Melissa Kaufman, Drexel University
Reducing Friction Between Education and Employment Records
Room: Statler | Level: Applied | Track: Leadership | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Digital Technology, External Advocacy
In this exciting world of innovation in digital credentialing, we must take critical steps to achieve our core objectives of delivering useful, meaningful, trusted, secure, and globally transferable digital education and employment records. This panel will bring together leaders in today's credentialing movement who are collaborating and contributing to the building blocks of an effective credentialing ecosystem. Hear strategies for how you can contribute to the growth of this work and unlock new opportunities for billions globally.
- Kacey Thorne, Western Governors University
- Naomi Szekeres, Velocity Network Foundation
- Rob Coyle, 1EdTech
Moderator: Amy Hodges, Georgia Tech University
Registrar Brainstorming, Wrangling and Solutioning
Room: Senate | Level: Strategic | Track: Registrar
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, The Learner Experience
Engage in a discussion on how registrar can help wrangle, influence or lead campus protocols related to micro-credential initiatives. Topics of discussion include, but may not be limited to: proposal/approval processes, stacking credentials, turning noncredit credentials into credit opportunities, academic transcript and SIS considerations, and more.
- Kristi Wold-McCormick, University of Colorado Boulder
- Bart Quinet, Vanderbilt University
Moderator: Insiya Bream, University of Maryland Global Campus
Adapting to the Changing Landscape of Education
Room: Massachusetts | Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, The Learner Experience
Mississippi State University (MSU) has established the College of Professional and Continuing Studies to provide greater flexibility and an entrepreneurial approach to address the lack of structure to support professional, applied, and continuing education credentials for adult learners. MSU collaborated with stakeholders to create innovative solutions, including alternative credentials such as micro-credentials that are more focused, shorter in duration, and more affordable than traditional degrees. This new college is a victory for the Alternative Credentialing community and allows MSU to respond to the diverse needs of both workforce and industry.
- Susan Seal, Mississippi State University
- Ryan Walker, Mississippi State University
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| 3:45 PM |
Concurrent Sessions VII |
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Ask Uncle Sam: How Certain Federal Funding Programs Can Support Adult Noncredit Continuing Education
Room: Congressional | Level: Foundational | Track: Administration | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Employer Engagement, External Advocacy
This session will discuss four different universities' experiences with federal funding opportunities for noncredit, continuing education learners. The process to be an approved partner for federal departments can be daunting. For independent CE units not part of an academic department or college, the ability to utilize these different sources may not exist. We'll talk about how our respective universities are able to utilize these different funding programs and if the cost/benefit analysis makes sense
- Laurel Hogue, University of Central Missouri
- Ross Jahnke, University of Minnesota
- Patricia Cook, University of Arizona
- Susan Leighton, Villanova University
Moderator: Jason Smith, Anthology
Where Do We Go from Here? Setting a Course for PCO Units, Programs, and Credentials
Room: Federal A | Level: Strategic | Track: Leadership | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, The Learner Experience
New, short, professionally aligned competency and skill development “courses” and credentials are everywhere - from free online resources, to high-end, ultra polished, video-based programming featuring well known celebrities. For learners, the options are endless. For university, noncredit continuing education divisions, our positioning is not always clear. In this session we’ll explore higher education’s important stake in the future of responsive, professional learning, including how to approach strategy, planning and program differentiation so that we can not only keep up, but remain leaders as work and learning continue to evolve.
- Ryan Torma, University of Minnesota
- Krissy Collins, University of California, Irvine
Moderator: Gary Hepburn, Toronto Metropolitan University
Tiered Badges to Scaffold Faculty Development at an R1 Institution
Room: Federal B | Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Diversity/Inclusion
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Entrepreneurial Initiative, Employer Engagement
How can educational developers leverage digital badging to facilitate faculty development? This session discusses the design of a multi-tiered badging faculty development program to support inclusive pedagogy in classrooms. Our goal was to support implementation of inclusive teaching practices, and the badges were designed so that faculty demonstrated their learning at each level before earning subsequent badges. Multiple levels of badges provided opportunity for continued instructor engagement in programming with faculty at higher levels also supporting those at the lower. We describe the design, implementation, advantages and limitations of using digital badges in faculty development.
- Chris Drue, Rutgers University
Moderator: Robin Macaluso, University of Texas, Arlington
Layers and Lifecycle of a Digital Credential
Room: Statler | Level: Applied | Track: Administration | Tag: Student Success
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Digital Technology, External Advocacy
The transition to skills-based ecosystem drives the need for digital. Digital credentials have three life cycle stages or layers: Design – What is the credential? What underlies it? Assessment – How is the achievement validated? What value does it have and how can we trust that? Publication –How is the credential documented and shared? Digital credentials can be approached in multiple ways, but data standards and taxonomies are essential for content and technical implementation. The University of Maryland Global Campus, Southern New Hampshire University, and Western Governors University colleagues share their “layers and life cycle of digital credentials” stories.
- Christopher Davis, University of Maryland Global Campus
- Tyson Heath, Western Governors University
Moderator: Jason Rhode, Northern Illinois University
Block Chain Untangled: Making a Case for Registrar Adoption
Room: Senate | Level: Foundational | Track: Registrar
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, The Learner Experience
This presentation focuses on a registrar's path to understanding and making a case for adopting block chain to ward against diploma mills and fraudulent credentials, such as fake diplomas and transcripts. Participants will gain an understanding of block chain, and hear her case for why having registrar support could bring this 3.0 web technology to fruition for validating institutional credentials.
- Helen Garrett, University of Washington
Moderator: Tracy Chapman, Collegis Education
Collaboration, Convergence or Competition? What the Joint UPCEA-AACRAO Research Project Can Tell Us about What’s Next
Room: South American | Level: Applied | Track: Leadership | Tag: Policy
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, Entrepreneurial Initiative
Following the 2023 UPCEA-AACRAO joint research project which examined the relationship between PCO and traditionally-credentialled academic offerings, the UPCEA team will lead a series of follow up, or “reflection” group discussion opportunities, to help the PCO community think through actionable next steps informed by the survey results. In the first of these conversations, registrars and PCO leaders are invited to attend a dynamic concurrent session facilitated by Jim Fong, UPCEA’s Chief Research Officer, to brainstorm strategies for collectively moving forward credential innovation at their institutions, and to help inform UPCEA’s future research agenda on this front.
- Jim Fong, UPCEA
- Melanie Gottlieb, AACRAO
Moderator: Bruce Etter, UPCEA
Converging Perspectives: How a Research University (R1) Approaches Alternative Credentialing
Room: Massachusetts | Level: Strategic | Track: Administration
Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation: Internal Advocacy, Employer Engagement
Through university and private sector perspectives, this panel explores the value and challenges of rolling out noncredit to credit and microcredential pathways at the University of Delaware, an R1 research institution, to meet student and employer demand
- George Irvine, University of Delaware
- Amanda Steele-Middleton, University of Delaware
- Lee Maxey, MindMax
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| 5:00 PM |
Ask Me Anything Lounges [Presidential Ballroom] |
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In these optional, small-group conversations, leaders will host informal, table-based discussions around some of the most pressing topics (and conundra!) surrounding credential innovation today. Select from among topics such as "Change Management;" "Pricing Models;" "Funding Mechanisms;" "Building Capacity;" "LER, CLR, What the R?" and more!
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| 5:30 PM |
Happy Hour [North Gate Grill (Capital Hilton, Lobby Level)] |
