UPCEA Annual Conference: where energy, honesty, and real progress come together
Some conferences feel long. This one flew by. And still, I kept thinking I wish I could have attended even more sessions.
Over the past few days at the UPCEA Annual Conference, a few very clear themes kept coming back. Not just in presentations, but in conversations with people across institutions.
Yes, AI is still very much front and center. But what stood out more to me was a different question. How do we enable our people to actually use technology in a way that improves learning? Not just AI, but everything around it. How do we help teams deliver better courses, better experiences, better continuing education?
And closely connected to that, one of the biggest questions I kept hearing was about scale. How do you grow continuing education in a way that is sustainable, relevant, and connected to the workforce?
1. When institutions and industry truly work together
I heard some incredible stories. One that really stayed with me was Furman University’s collaboration with Michelin, spanning both the US and France. A true cross-border example of what is possible when institutions and industry work together. It also reinforced something I strongly believe. There may be differences between countries, but there are far more commonalities than we often assume. I was also very fortunate in this situation to offer Furman the Award from the International community on their exceptional work – congrats Furman team!
2. The courage to share not just the wins, but the challenges too
At the same time, there was a lot of honesty. And that is what makes this community so strong. Not just sharing successes, but also the challenges. Because building for diverse, non-traditional learners is not easy. Different needs, different expectations, different lives outside of learning. Flexibility is no longer a nice to have, it is essential.
3. The one thing that kept coming back: do learners feel like they belong?
One theme that came back again and again was connection. How do you make learners feel like they belong? Whether they are online, in a short course, or in a full degree. That sense of belonging directly impacts completion, engagement, and overall experience. Technology plays a role, but the human aspect is what truly makes the difference.
4. Staying focused on long-term progress amid constant disruption
Even as higher education continues to face rapid change—whether driven by policy shifts, market pressures, or emerging technologies—there was a clear emphasis on not losing sight of long-term priorities. Conversations reflected a shared recognition that reacting to immediate challenges is necessary, but not sufficient.
Leaders highlighted the importance of continuing to invest in future-focused strategies, particularly around innovation, infrastructure, and evolving learner needs. The takeaway was consistent: while today’s disruptions demand attention, meaningful progress depends on maintaining a forward-looking mindset and ensuring institutions are building toward what’s next, not just responding to what’s now.
5. Where the most genuine conversations actually happened
Beyond the sessions, some of the most valuable moments happened in between. At the booth, during coffee, or in my case, tea, and especially during the evening networking in the exhibitor hall. Those more informal settings always lead to the most genuine conversations.One highlight for me personally was the dinner we organized in New Orleans. Bringing together customers from different types of institutions and simply letting them talk to each other. The energy in that room, the laughter, the exchange of ideas. That is where the real magic happens. Not us presenting, but institutions learning from one another.
6. Leaving New Orleans feeling genuinely energized
Walking away from this conference, I feel energized. Not just because of the innovation I saw around AI, accessibility, and new program models. But because of the people behind it all.Education does not move as slowly as people sometimes think. There is so much happening behind the scenes. So many teams are working hard to make learning more accessible, more flexible, and more meaningful.What stays with me is the real impact behind all the work, the collaboration that keeps pushing things forward, and the people you meet and keep meeting over the years.A special thanks to the UPCEA team for having us again, Emily Keener from UIS and Annette Roberts Webb and Michael Pierick from UCMerced for sharing their story on the inspirational things they are doing in their continuing education using Eduframe.I can’t wait to see everyone next year again in Anaheim, in the meantime – already looking forward to Convergence!
To read the full article – please click here.