Who Should Join?
The Credential Innovation Network serves all sorts of professionals, and the following individuals may find value in the conversations and connections:
- Senior leaders charged with driving strategy pertaining to non-credit courses at the unit or campus level
- Non-degree program administrators
- Deans
- Provosts
- Directors
- Managers
- Vice Presidents
- ...and all other interested UPCEA Members!
Join the Discussion
Log in to CORe, UPCEA's member community and online networking space where you can ask, answer or search for questions on relevant topics. Get advice, answers and ideas from your colleagues online via CORe, UPCEA's professional networking platform.
Your membership gives you full access to:
- Active conversations, and the chance to ask your questions in real time
- Robust search of conversation archive
- A diverse resource library to support your professional development
- UPCEA's entire member directory
- Exclusive member content -- including benchmarking studies, conference session slides, and webinar recordings
Attend Network Events
The Credential Innovation (formerly Alternative Credentials) Network curates webinars and coffee chats throughout the year, on a number of topics related to the work of the Network. Check out the event page linked below and keep an eye out for our upcoming events.
Today, the field of professional, continuing, online education is characterized by engagement in very complex, highly specialized areas of practice. UPCEA’s eight Networks are designed to serve professionals practicing in these key areas by fostering professional growth, enhancing leadership, and offering valuable networking and community service opportunities within this vibrant and growing sector of higher education.
Networks are open to any UPCEA Member. Members can join any one (or multiple) of these networks by logging in to their profile, going down to My Networks + Committees then click "Browse Networks + Committees". Select the network you would like to join, and click "Join this Network/Committee".
Volunteer and grow as a leader, presenter, or mentor.
Take an active role in your membership! Members are encouraged to serve as volunteer leaders. There are many ways to get involved! Click below and let us know how you'd like to volunteer with UPCEA.
2025-2026
Leadership Team
Alex Lowrie
CHAIR
University of California, Davis
[email protected]
Amber Smallwood
CHAIR-ELECT
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
[email protected]
Javier Motta-Mena
PAST CHAIR
Arizona State University
[email protected]
Amber Smallwood
ANNUAL CONFERENCE VICE-CHAIR
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
[email protected]
Katy Coutley
AWARDS VICE CHAIR
Rhode Island College
[email protected]
Eric Sembrat
COMMUNICATIONS VICE CHAIR
Georgia Institute of Technology
[email protected]
Vacant
ENGAGEMENT & OPPORTUNITY VICE-CHAIR
Saira Cooper
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT VICE CHAIR
Rice University
[email protected]
Amy Mackenroth
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Dallas College
[email protected]
Anne Innis
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
University of Utah
[email protected]
Charles McGinnis
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Goodwin University
[email protected]
Emily Bernhard
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
University of Southern Maine
[email protected]
Garrett Stern
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Furman University
[email protected]
Joe Mullen
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
MindEdge
[email protected]
John McKenzie
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth
[email protected]
Kristin Vanselow
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Florida Gulf Coast University
[email protected]
Matt DiPirro
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Southern New Hampshire University
[email protected]
Kristin Marengo
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
[email protected]
Rod Lastra
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
University of Manitoba
[email protected]
Maria Simon
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Sandra von Doetinchem
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Independent
[email protected]
Sarah Dysart
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
University of Michigan
[email protected]
Elizabeth Kerr
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE, NEW TO PRACTICE
University of Cincinnati
[email protected]
Susan Gieg
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE
Colorado School of Mines
[email protected]
Beth Romanski
VICE CHAIR, AT-LARGE, RESEARCH & RESOURCES
Johns Hopkins University
[email protected]
Get Involved with UPCEA
Professional development isn't just about attending sessions. Get involved with UPCEA to meet members from other institutions, share the great work your institution is doing, and hone your own skills. From submitting a session proposal for a conference or an article for a publication to serving as a volunteer on a conference planning committee, there are as many ways to engage with us!
