See below for the full set of all blogs hosted by the association.

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

Bringing an Insider-Outsider Perspective to UPCEA’s Members

April 23, 2024

Shortly after pivoting twelve years ago from a deanship to a faculty position, I realized the only job better than being a dean was now being able to help other university leaders. A highlight of this career change has been visiting campuses as part of a consulting or accreditation team and conducting numerous solo consulting…

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

April 5, 2024

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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Unique biweekly insights and news review from Ray Schroeder, Senior Fellow at UPCEA

The AI-Augmented Professor of 2024

May 8, 2024

It is early August 2024.  I am about to begin the fall term of teaching, research, administrative tasks and advising with the help of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools and assistants.  My syllabus was already submitted a couple of months ago so it is available online to all who may want to register. I did…

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Higher Education and the Four Industrial Revolutions

April 25, 2024

This is not the first time that western civilization and American higher education has encountered a massive change impacting the mission, technologies and vision of higher learning. We would be wise to take a moment to reflect on the ways in which higher education has adapted to radical change in society, technology and culture in…

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Your one-stop shop for the latest Association happenings, policy updates, plus thoughts from the desk of CEO Bob Hansen.

Survey Reveals Employers’ Views on Microcredential Benefits, Concerns (Campus Technology)

These days, the majority of employers are aware of microcredentials and other non-degree credentials, according to a new study from Collegis Education and UPCEA, the association for higher education professionals in online and continuing education. Out of 510 organizational leaders surveyed, 95% reported being at least somewhat familiar with microcredentials, and more than two-thirds (69%) said they were…

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Employers value microcredentials but don’t know how to assess their quality (Higher Ed Dive)

Dive Brief:  Although a majority of surveyed employers say they value alternative credentials, many also harbor concerns over assessing the quality of education and understanding the skills and competencies they represent.  That’s according to a recent survey of 510 employers from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, also known as UPCEA, and Collegis Education,…

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Why higher ed needs to get on board with micro-credentials (University Business)

A new study focusing on employers’ perspectives on micro-credentials reveals that while a strong majority of them believe it boosts a prospective hire’s value, not enough colleges and universities are capitalizing on it. More than 70% of respondents agreed that job applicants with non-degree or alternative credentials have increased the past two years and those hires…

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Employers Are All In on Microcredentials, Survey Shows (Inside Higher Ed)

Ninety-five percent of employers see benefits in their employees accruing microcredentials, according to a new survey from Collegis Education and UPCEA, the association for college and university leaders in online and professional continuing education. Among the leaders surveyed from 500 organizations, 76 percent said pursuing microcredentials demonstrates an employee’s willingness to develop their skills, 63 percent said it…

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Musings on trends and updates from UPCEA CEO Bob Hansen.

UPCEA Brand Evolution in an Era of Change

March 26, 2024

The pandemic upheaval forced rapid adaptation across campuses, accelerating the digital transformation that had been underway for decades. Online and professional education is at the forefront of this transformation, addressing strategic questions about business models and learner needs. In this ever-evolving landscape of higher education, adaptation isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity. UPCEA recognized…

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UPCEA Seeks Full-Time Controller 

March 15, 2024

UPCEA is currently seeking a full-time Controller for a fully remote position with the association.   The Controller will oversee and manage all aspects of the organization’s accounting functions. This includes ensuring financial accuracy, compliance with relevant regulations, and providing timely financial reports for internal and external stakeholders. The Controller also plays a key role in…

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Valuable insights from UPCEA's trusted corporate partners.

DIYing an OPM: Build, outsource, or blend?

May 3, 2024

Learner preference for digital experiences continues to rise as questions about the OPM model mount from regulatory bodies and OPM customers. UPCEA’s recent snap poll found that 61% of higher ed leaders anticipate making changes to their OPM partnerships in the next 1–2 years.   As colleges and universities contemplate developing internal capacity and expertise for…

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Higher Ed Marketing: A Corporate Approach for Institutional Success

February 28, 2024

By Kevin Phang, VP, Partnership Development, Marketing & Enrollment, Noodle Marketing plays a key role in shaping a company’s success, and in higher education it’s no different. Colleges, universities, and other institutions face more competition every year, and with market demands and trends in constant flux, the need for strategic, impactful marketing that delivers has…

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