The Pulse of Higher Ed

Perspectives on Online and Professional Education
from UPCEA’s Research and Consulting Experts

2020 UPCEA Benchmarking Research Agenda

Did you know that each year, UPCEA members receive benchmarking data from the Center for Research and Strategy, directed by Jim Fong? UPCEA benchmarking research is not just the industry standard—it is also a nonprofit service designed for institutions like yours. Look out for these forthcoming studies to benchmark your unit to others in the field and with peer institutions:

UPCEA Benchmarking Surveys
Find out how you compare to peer institutions across multiple areas. 

  • Salary, budgeting and structure
  • Staffing and professional development
  • Financials
  • Outsourcing

Marketing and Enrollment Management Survey
The latest update in our recurring survey series of marketing and enrollment professionals.

  • Salary, staffing, and professional development
  • Media and budget
  • Outsourcing

Online Student Needs and Staff Alignment
In partnership with InsideTrack, our research series on retention and student success continues. 


Non-Credit to Credit Pathways
In an effort to better understand how many institutions are participating in non-credit to credit pathway activities, this research will examine how these activities are facilitated and how the implementation process of these activities is conducted. 

 

Interested in how the latest trends are impacting higher education marketing, enrollment, program mix, and more? Check out Jim’s blog for brief, timely updates.  

 

Customized benchmarking efforts are also managed by the Center for Research and Strategy, including working with institutions that wish to benchmark their data against a select peer group. See who we’ve worked with. 

Interested in more information about customized benchmarking? Contact us at 202-659-3130 or email [email protected].

Learn more about UPCEA's expert consultants

Do you need help with your PCO unit or campus? We can help. Contact UPCEA Research and Consulting for a brief consult. Email [email protected] or call us at 202-659-3130.

Trusted by the nation's top colleges and universities, UPCEA Research and Consulting provides the best value in the industry today. UPCEA's industry experts have years of experience in Online and Professional Continuing education - put them to work for you!

UPCEA Research and Consulting offers a variety of custom research and consulting options through an outcomes-focused pricing model. Find the option(s) that best suit your institution.

Learn more about UPCEA Research & Consulting


The UPCEA Difference

Unmatched Experience: For more than 100 years, UPCEA consultants have exclusively served the needs of online and professional continuing education programs. UPCEA consultants leverage their extensive industry expertise to expedite solutions, anticipate upcoming shifts, and offer distinct best practices, effectively aiding clients in achieving their goals.

Cost Effectiveness: As a nonprofit, member-serving organization, we provide unmatched value, allowing you to maximize limited research and consulting budgets.

Action in Motion: Our cadre of experienced, skilled authorities and expert practitioners propels you forward, translating research and consulting into impactful implementation, a distinctive hallmark of UPCEA. Our team of current and former institutional leaders will support you, turning research and consulting into action.

Mission Alignment: Like you, our mission is to enhance and expand educational opportunities and outcomes for adult and other non-traditional learners. We share your values and work in partnership with you to advance access and excellence in education.

Other UPCEA Updates + Blogs

Generative AI Update for 2024 (The European Business Review)

Read Ray Schroeder and Katherine Kerpan’s perspective on where artificial intelligence is going in 2024. While the first full year of operation of ChatGPT, 2023, gave a foretaste of the enormous impact that AI is going to have on us all, 2024 shows every sign of boggling the mind even more. Here are some things…

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How to Measure the Impact of Your Leadership Development Programs

No matter the size of your school or educational institution, it’s no secret that strong leadership is crucial to long-term success. Implementing leadership development programs is among the most effective ways to train aspiring educational leaders and ensure their goals and mission are aligned with that of the institution. At the same time, it’s not always simple…

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New Report Reveals 61% of Higher Education Leaders Believe Continuing Education Units are Undervalued Compared to Traditional Departments

The 2024 State of Continuing Education study focused on institutions’ online and professional continuing education units program offerings, institutional support and capabilities, institutional integration and innovation, and continuing education collaboration and integration within the larger institution. Despite their role in shaping the modern learner’s journey, a staggering 61% of higher education leaders feel their professional,…

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UPCEA and Search Influence Higher Ed Marketing Metrics Research Report: What Gets Measured Gets Managed

With the beginning of the “demographic cliff” upon higher education, college and university leaders need to rethink their institutional strategies. For institutions to survive or thrive in a new economy driven by automation and artificial intelligence, college and university leaders need to reassess their programs, promotion, pricing, and packaging (stackability), as well as their processes…

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Benefits of Becoming a UPCEA Member

UPCEA, the online and professional education association, works to support its members by offering professional development, networking, and mentorship opportunities. As a collaborative and entrepreneurial community, we are proud of the fact that our members are thought leaders in the higher education administration field who continuously strive to improve educational access and outcomes for all students. Why UPCEA? The…

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Seeking Tech Antidotes for Enrollment Cliff (Inside Higher Ed)

A looming enrollment cliff—expected to bring a massive dip in traditional-aged students—cast a shadow over conversations at the annual UPCEA conference last week. But many attendees at the online education–focused event in Boston sought to brighten the mood with solutions and tactics that included embracing artificial intelligence and pursuing personalized learning bolstered by microcredentials. “We’re…

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