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

Four Steps to Help Enrollment Managers Lead in a Challenging Environment

July 9, 2024

Many institutions are facing significant financial hurdles and enrollment managers are called upon now more than ever to solve the multiple challenges related to enrollment issues including low numbers, diversification of learners to include the growing number and importance of adult learners, international enrollments, and tension between undergraduate and graduate program enrollments.  Changing our current…

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What Do Students Want from Their Online Programs?

June 20, 2024

Knowing what our potential students want is critical in a time of greater competition for students who will enroll in our programs.   Things have dramatically changed since the early 2000s when almost any online program was successful by almost any measure. Demand for online education was growing, while the supply of online programs could not…

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

AI Reshapes Higher Ed and Society at Large by 2035

July 4, 2024

There are important steps to be taken in higher education as we prepare for the deep society-wide changes that will take place in the next five to ten years.  In general, these columns have focused on the incremental actions that should be taken to benefit higher education institutions and their constituencies as they adapt to…

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Higher Education Has Not Been Forgotten by Generative AI

June 20, 2024

The Generative AI (GenAI) revolution has not ignored higher education, a whole host of tools are available now and more revolutionary tools are on the way. Beginning with concern over the potential for plagiarism and cheating by way of the use of GenAI chatbots, higher education has paid attention to the development of this technology.…

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

As Colleges Focus on Quality in Online Learning, Advocates Ask: What About In-Person Courses? (The Chronicle of Higher Education)

As colleges’ online catalogs grow, so too has the push to develop standards of quality for those courses. But are in-person classes getting the same attention? If you ask many online-education advocates, the answer is “no.” While decades of research and the pandemic-spurred expansion of online learning have helped demystify it and build confidence in…

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Microcredentials Confuse Employers, Colleges and Learners (Inside Higher Ed)

Reskilling. Upskilling. Certificates. Certifications. Badges. Licenses. Microcredentials. Alternative credentials. Digital credentials. So many terms. So little agreement on what they mean, least of all in higher ed. “Employers say, ‘It’s great that this individual has these skills, but we’ll ask our own questions to verify the learner’s knowledge,’” Kyle Albert, assistant research professor at the…

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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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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.

Drive Success: Using Recruitment SEO to Fill Higher Education Seats

July 2, 2024

  Higher education marketing teams face a critical challenge: adapting to how learners now discover and explore educational programs. From the first touchpoint to application completion, marketers must ensure a seamless experience for prospective students and maintain their presence throughout the enrollment funnel. This makes recruitment SEO more important now than ever before. With fewer…

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Future-Focused: Laying the Groundwork for Student Success with an Effective Orientation

July 1, 2024

Butler University has long been recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality education and fostering the development of well-rounded professionals. The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program has been a cornerstone of the university’s academic offerings for decades. Through a continuous commitment to improvement, Butler has embraced innovative approaches to ensure its offerings remain relevant and…

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