2020 New England Region Conference |
October 21 | 12:00 PM ET
Drawing on market data, this lively opening general session will examine current trends that leaders should be aware of in order to maintain program relevance, meet employer demands, and adapt to opportunities in a rapidly changing landscape.
Sean Gallagher, Founder and Executive DirectorDr. Sean Gallagher is founder and Executive Director of Northeastern University’s Center for the Future of Higher Education and Talent Strategy, and Executive Professor of Educational Policy.
Sean joined Northeastern in 2009 and is a nationally recognized expert with nearly 20 years of experience in higher education. As Chief Strategy Officer for Northeastern’s Professional Advancement Network, Sean built a central strategy function unique among universities – working across colleges and academic domains to launch growth initiatives including the development of new campuses and degree programs. Prior to Northeastern, Sean worked for a decade at Eduventures, advising executives at hundreds of universities, education companies, and investors. He directed the firm's largest and most profitable business unit, and played an instrumental role in the company’s growth by developing and leading many of its research practices.
Sean is a frequent invited speaker at conferences and events, and his writing and commentary have been featured in leading media outlets such as The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CBS Television. His research has been cited in numerous academic papers and books. Sean's book, "The Future of University Credentials: New Developments at the Intersection of Higher Education and Hiring," was published in 2016 by Harvard Education Press.
Sean holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree from Northeastern University; an M.B.A. from the New York Institute of Technology; and a B.S. in Marketing from Northeastern.
October 21 | 2:00 PM ET
The past decade has seen a significant increase in the number of students who prefer the flexibility of online learning to the traditional on-campus experience. As enrollment in online education continues to increase, university administrators face many challenges with providing the necessary support and retain this increasing population. The session will focus specifically on developing strategies to tackle this challenge and improve student success.
Jasmeial Jackson, Southern New Hampshire UniversityOctober 22 | 12:00 PM ET
The 60-year curriculum is the modern approach to a lifetime of learning. Getting a degree, getting a job and never setting foot in a classroom again are not today’s reality, as many people alive now will live to be 100 years old. That means people will have five to seven stages in their lives, not just the three traditional stages of school, work and retirement, and learning must be constant throughout our careers. Automation and changes in the workplace mean professionals must continually retool to stay relevant and competitive. Employers in every industry and profession are looking for higher education to help their workers upskill. Through dynamic conversation and audience engagement, this session will first focus on an overview of this movement and then dive deeply into what a 60-year curriculum means for UPCEA member institutions.
Rovy Branon, University of Washington
Moderator: Nancy Coleman, Harvard University
October 23 | 12:00 PM ET
As the marketplace continues to shift, and the demand for alternative credentials (micro-, nano-, stackable) rises, this session will cover the recently released Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation, along with the results of a recent UPCEA survey of 176 institutions on the role that alternative credentials plays in their portfolio of programs. The survey, sponsored by Mindedge, will share actionable data of those members involved in alternative credentialing efforts, in what areas, and with what results. This lively session will examine the emergent phenomenon of credential innovation as well as showcase data that undergird credential evolutions and how UPCEA member institutions are leading this charge.
Jay Halfond, Boston University 
