As higher education confronts demographic shifts, changing learner expectations, and intensifying competition, our greatest advantage may be our most human one: connection.
For adult, returning, and online learners, meaningful connection can be the difference between enrolling and opting out, persisting and stopping out, or simply completing a credential and developing a lasting relationship with an institution. As the enrollment cliff places new pressure on colleges and universities, human connection is not a “soft” addition to enrollment and student success strategies. It is a critical part of how institutions create value, foster belonging, and help learners navigate an increasingly complex educational and professional landscape.
Join the UPCEA West Region for The Human Connection in Higher Education, a virtual Salon exploring how institutions can intentionally design connection across the learner journey.
We’ll open with a keynote focused on one of higher education’s most pressing challenges: the institutional pressure of the enrollment cliff and the opportunity it presents for adult, returning, and online learners. Together, we’ll consider why the effects of enrollment pressures may be felt most acutely where connection is weakest, and how institutions can make meaningful human engagement a central part of attracting, supporting, and retaining a broader base of learners.
From there, participants will choose from interactive breakout conversations exploring different dimensions of human connection. Discussions will examine how AI can buy back time for connection rather than replace it, freeing faculty and staff to focus on advising, feedback, and relationship-building; how connection can run in both directions, creating more reciprocal relationships among institutions, learners, employers, and communities; and why visible, consistent human support matters during periods of disruption and uncertainty, both for our learners and for the people who serve them.
We’ll come back together to consider how human connection makes the value of higher education tangible. Rather than simply telling learners what an institution or credential can offer, how can relationships with faculty, advisors, peers, and others help learners see a path forward, recognize opportunity, and experience that value for themselves?
Throughout the Salon, participants will have opportunities to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and reflect on how these conversations can translate into action at their own institutions. We’ll close by inviting each participant to identify something they learned and one way they plan to strengthen connection in their work.
Because in a time of profound change for higher education, human connection is not separate from the strategy. It may be the mechanism that makes the strategy work.
Salons are intentionally live and not recorded to create a welcoming, candid space where participants feel comfortable asking questions, sharing experiences, and building meaningful connections with regional peers.
Whether you are looking to expand your network, gain fresh perspectives, or contribute your own insights, the UPCEA Regional Salon offers an approachable and valuable way to stay connected to your community.
Registration will be open shortly.
Regional Salons are half-day, virtual, curated opportunities for UPCEA members to engage in accessible, no-cost professional development and networking, offering a balance of formal presentations and facilitated, two-way, informal conversation. These lively gatherings are designed for members by members, around a theme or topic of critical importance, and tap subject matter experts in and outside of UPCEA, as well as spotlight the important work of our members. Regional Salons provide members a chance to grow their professional networks, to showcase their accomplishments, and to solve unique and shared challenges with peers. Please note, Regional Salons are unrecorded.
Refunds
Please submit all requests to info@upcea.edu. Anyone who is registered but cannot attend may transfer their registration to someone from the same organization. Refunds will not be given for no-shows.