Events

Attend or view webinars on your schedule, and connect with peers in your area at a regional event — especially useful for new or mid-level professionals. Share your lessons learned with colleagues by presenting a conference session, and get involved with the association by becoming a volunteer leader. Connect with other high-level leaders through fantastic networking opportunities during the Annual Conference and all our events. Webinars are free for UPCEA Members, and membership also provides discounts to all of our conferences and other events.

• Conferences and Seminars
• Webinars & Chats
• Past Events

Conferences and Seminars

DECEMBER 3-5, 2024

2024 UPCEA MEMS: Marketing | Enrollment Management | Student Success

Philadelphia, PA

More about the event

MARCH 24-26, 2025

2025 UPCEA Annual Conference

Denver, CO

More about the event

MULTIPLE DATES

UPCEA Regional Salons

Virtual

Free for UPCEA Members

More about the event

Save the dates for these upcoming events:

July 22-24, 2025 | 2025 SOLAR: Summit for Online Leadership and Administration | Portland, OR | Hilton Portland Downtown
September 29-October 1, 2025 | 2025 Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education | Washington, DC | Crystal Gateway Marriott
December 2-4, 2025 | 2025 MEMS: Marketing, Enrollment Management and Student Success Conference | Boston, MA | Westin Boston Seaport District
April 15-17, 2026 | 2026 UPCEA Annual Conference | New Orleans, LA | Hilton New Orleans Riverside
July 29-31, 2026 | 2026 SOLAR: Summit for Online Leadership and Administration | Boston, MA | Westin Boston Seaport District

Click here to view past events

Webinars & Chats

October 29, 2024 | 11:30 AM -12:30 PM ET

Webinar | From Degrees to Certificates: Exploring Student Motivations and Trends

Hosted by GMAC

UPCEA and GMAC are excited to announce an upcoming webinar focused on the evolving preferences and journeys of graduate business students and how a partner institution has adapted to meet this emerging audience demand. This webinar will delve into recent candidate research and trends, exploring how students’ expectations and motivations are influencing their educational decision-making, particularly around certificates and non-degree coursework.

Expert panelists will discuss key insights into how candidate preferences have changed over time, as well as how schools have adapted their marketing, recruitment, and program offerings to support.

Join us for an engaging and informative discussion that aims to highlight candidate trends to equip schools for improved recruitment and engagement.

Key Takeaways:

Understand evolving student motivations: Learn about the latest trends in graduate business student preferences, particularly the shift towards certificates and non-degree coursework.
Gain insights into institutional adaptation: Explore how schools have modified their marketing, recruitment strategies, and program offerings to meet the changing demands of students seeking non-traditional educational paths.
Equip schools with strategies for improved engagement: Discover actionable strategies to enhance recruitment and engagement with prospective students by aligning with their current expectations and motivations.

Speakers:

Andrew Walker, Director, Research Analysis and Communications, GMAC
Christa Johnson-Perkins, Product Director, Marketing Solutions, GMAC
Bruce Etter, Sernior Director of Research and Consulting, UPCEA
Kevin Connor, Director of Graduate Enrollment, George Mason University, Costello College of Business

Click here to register for the Webinar

October 30, 2024 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | Incentives for Faculty to Participate in Noncredit Courses

Stemming from a CORe post that generated great interest, this casual conversation with peers will focus on ways to increase faculty involvement in the development and instruction of non-credit courses. What incentives does your institution provide? What resources might you have? Join us to share, ask questions or just listen in on the lively conversation.

Click here to access the room at 1PM ET on October 30 or download our calendar invite below.

Hosted by UPCEA Networks, Coffee Chats are informal, unrecorded, live opportunities to connect with UPCEA peers. Typically an hour or less, they provide time to discuss topics of interest, share ideas and connect with others in a casual setting.

Click here to download a calendar invite

October 30, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 PM ET

South Region: Coffee Chat Book Discussion - Chapters and Chats

Hosted by UPCEA's South Region

Join some of the South Region Leadership team for an informal discussion of “Whatever It Is, I’m Against It”: Resistance to Change in Higher Education. Whether you’ve read the book, thought about the book, or shared experiences from the book, we hope you’ll join us to hear from peers.

Click here to access the room at 4PM ET on October 30 or download our calendar invite below.

Coffee Chats are informal, unrecorded, live opportunities to connect with UPCEA peers. Typically an hour or less, they provide time to discuss topics of interest, share ideas and connect with others in a casual setting.

Click here to download a calendar invite

November 12, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 PM ET

Webinar | Partnering with ISACA to Grow Continuing Education Programs

Hosted by ISACA

In partnership with UPCEA, an online and professional education association, ISACA is hosting the webinar, Partnering with ISACA to Grow the University's Continuing Education Programs. This webinar explores the strategic collaboration between universities and ISACA, a global leader in IT governance, risk management, audit and cybersecurity. Attendees will learn how this partnership can enhance educational offerings, align curricula with industry standards, and provide students with valuable certifications. The session highlights successful case studies, best practices, and actionable strategies for integrating ISACA resources into university programs, ultimately fostering workforce readiness and professional growth in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Speakers:

Jeffrey Angle, ISACA
Ivette Chavez, ISACA
Noelle Kendrick-Bonds, Ed.D, MODRN Education

Click here to register for the Webinar

November 12, 2024 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | Unlocking Grant and Sponsored Project Funding

Hosted by the Business and Operations Network

Grant and sponsored project funding can be a value-add to your PCO unit but identifying sources and administering grants can be challenging. In this chat, we’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of grant funding, address common pain points, and highlight opportunities. Join us to gain insights and strategies for maximizing the impact of grants!

Click here to access the room at 1PM ET on November 12 or download our calendar invite below.

UPCEA Coffee Chats are informal, unrecorded opportunities for colleagues to connect about professional issues on their mind.

Click here to download a calendar invite

November 13, 2024 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM ET

Webinar | Micro-Credentials Higher Education: Defining, Positioning, and Partnering for Success

Hosted by the UPCEA International Network

The International Network invites you to join our webinar exploring the evolving landscape of micro-credentials. We will focus on defining the concept, aligning it within institutional strategies, and engaging industry partners for recognition and endorsement. We will also discuss how this model delivers tangible value to learners in today's dynamic educational ecosystem. Note that this webinar will be offered in Spanish (with English subtitles) in collaboration with RECLA (Red de Educación Continua de Latinoamérica y Europa), the continuing education network for Latin America and Europe. We hope you are able to join!

Speakers:

Juan Mavo-Navarro, University of Toronto
Catalina Rodriguez, RECLA
Nadia Loreley Loera de Garcia, Tecnologico de Monterrey

Click here to register for the Webinar

November 13, 2024 | 3:00-4:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | Promoting the Value of Online and Professional Education in Institutes of Higher Ed

Hosted by the Community and Economic Engagement Network

Join the Community and Economic Engagement Network for this informal/unrecorded Coffee Chat that explores how online and professional continuing education units can promote their value across campus. These units play a pivotal role in not only fostering workforce readiness but also in promoting liberal education crucial for developing well-rounded, adaptable individuals. We’ll explore the strategic alignments and misalignments these units experience with their parent institutions and stakeholders, focusing on operational models, partnership dynamics, and institutional policies.

Click here to access the room at 3PM ET on November 13 or download our calendar invite below.

UPCEA Coffee Chats are informal, unrecorded opportunities for colleagues to connect about professional issues on their mind.

Click here to download a calendar invite

November 14, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | UPCEA Membership: Your Key to Advancement, Connection, and Strategic Growth

Hosted by UPCEA

Calling all non-members! Want to learn more about UPCEA membership? We invite you to join us for this informal coffee chat to learn how institutional membership helps you connect, collaborate, and contribute!

Meet some current members and UPCEA team members who will briefly share some of the ways in which UPCEA members advance their institutions - and their careers - with UPCEA membership.

Learn with exclusive research and professional development
Know peers and leaders in our field (networks, regions, and awards)
Do whatever it takes to help each other advance professional and organizational goals (collaborate on projects, Chief Online Learning Leadership, UPlift mentoring)

Not sure if your organization is a member? Check the list of current Institutional Members. If your institution is listed, your next step is to create a member profile using your institution email address.

UPCEA Coffee Chats are informal, unrecorded opportunities for colleagues to connect about professional issues on their mind.

Click here to register

November 19, 2024 | 2:00-3:00 PM ET

Webinar | New Rules, New Realities: Understanding ED’s Latest Distance Education Regulations

Hosted by the UPCEA Policy Committee

Join the UPCEA Policy Committee for a webinar on recent distance education regulations and proposals from the Department of Education. We’ll provide a clear overview of the key changes, their implications for institutions, and practical strategies for compliance. Discover how these regulations affect online and professional continuing education, and get insights during our interactive Q&A session. This is a must-attend for compliance officers, academic administrators, and institutional leaders aiming to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of federal distance education regulations.

Panelists:

Abe Hedtke, St. Cloud State University
Ricky LaFosse, University of Michigan
Jordan DiMaggio, UPCEA

Click here to register for the Webinar

November 20, 2024 | 12:00-1:00 PM ET

Webinar | Top Trends for Your 2025 SEO Strategy to Attract the Modern Learner

Hosted by the Search Influence

AI-generated search results and social search have transformed user behavior, including how prospective students research and apply to institutions. As marketers, our job is to make it easy for prospective students to find the information they need. Therefore, failing to adapt to these SEO trends could result in losing prospects to more visible competitors in 2025. In this webinar, we will explore a new way to think about SEO that will future-proof your strategy in a time of changing search behavior and learn:

How AI-generated search results and social search impact your institution's visibility
The key components of an SEO strategy built to outlast trends
How to communicate to your team about this new way of thinking about SEO

Join us to gain a blueprint for a 2025 SEO strategy that attracts and guides more students through the funnel.

Panelists:

Jim Fong, Chief Research Officer, UPCEA
Bruce Etter, Senior Director of Research & Consulting, UPCEA
Paula French, Director of Sales & Marketing, Search Influence
Michelle Neuhoff Boyd, SEO & Creative Manager, Search Influence

Click here to register for the Webinar

November 21, 2024 | 3:00-4:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | Beyond Climbing Walls and Lazy Rivers: Age-inclusive Environments

Hosted by UPCEA's Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Committee

As many institutions, and administrators, remain steadfast in their belief that 18-24 year olds are their primary student population, professional and online practitioners know that ‘age-inclusive environments’ can yield more opportunities for growth. Join the D&I committee for this coffee chat where we will discuss being intentionally inclusive of learners of all ages and combating the ageism that might exist on our campuses.

Sandra Von Doetinchem. Ph.D. will kick off our conversation with some information on ageism.

Dr. Sandra von Doetinchem is a researcher and leader in lifelong learning, continuing education for (older) adult learners, and workforce development. Passionate about the Future of Work and Learning, she has led AI-powered initiatives to reduce the labor shortages and expand access to workforce and education opportunities. Dr. von Doetinchem holds a PhD in lifelong learning and older adult education and has held leadership and faculty roles in higher education, including chairing a continuing education department at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Click here to access the room at 3PM ET on November 21 or download our calendar invite below.

Click here to download a calendar invite

November 22, 2024 | 3:00-4:00 PM ET

Know Before You Go: Navigating the 2024 MEMS Conference

Whether you’re a newcomer or a pro, join us for an informal opportunity to connect with other #MEMS2024 Conference attendees. This fast-paced coffee chat will get you up to speed, give you an opportunity to ask questions and start thinking about planning your conference adventure. We’ll cover what you can expect to LEARN, how to get to KNOW attendees and what else you might DO in town.

Click here to access the room at 3PM ET on November 22 or download our calendar invite below.

Click here to download a calendar invite

December 10, 2024 | 4:00-5:00 PM ET

Webinar | UPlift Mentorship Information Session

Join the UPCEA team to learn more about our exclusive mentorship program: UPlift. This is an opportunity to hear more about how the program is structured, hear from past mentee/mentors and get any questions you may have about participation in the 2025 program answered. Visit upcea.edu/uplift for additional program information.

Click here to register for the Webinar

Click here to view past webinar recordings