A Different Corner

Giving my inbox ‘One More Try’

Friends, it has been a while. Since my last post we’ve hosted several events, I have attended many events, and there has been much news to report.

Recently, in my 115th attempt to change how I manage my inbox (as an inbox zero person I am always looking for new tactics to get my inbox down to zero) I’ve removed ALL THE FILTERS AND RULES I had set up. Those filters and rules had some unintended consequences as I found myself ignoring the news sources that are really critical to staying current with our work. Removing the filters and rules that governed my inbox has ratcheted up the message count in my main folder and starved folders that are no longer being fed by my old inbox rules. That being said, I am reading more, a lot more. Here are the things I found the most interesting as I started digging out:

WCET’s Frontier Blog Post on the Neg Reg Consensus: This is a great breakdown of the discussions regarding two big issues (state authorization and licensure notifications).

Unbound: Unbound’s Spring 2019 edition focuses on microcredentials and other non-degree credentials.

Chronos.org: Here’s one for the history nerds among us. eLearningInside featured Chronos.org, a map which shows “the changing borders of political entities over time, it also includes population, the dominant culture and religion of a given area, migration, notable events, centers of power, and much more. In all, Chronas contains over 50 million data points”. I haven’t had a ton of time to play with this but wow does it look cool! I sort of wish I taught an undergraduate history course so I could use this tool!

ASU as a ‘virus’: EdSurge published a really interesting interview with Michael Crow on ASU and his vision for ASU. It is a good read.

5 Network Event Tips for Introverts: As an extreme extrovert I am always geeked to attend networking events. Strangers are just friends and colleagues I haven’t met yet. So, when I read this item I immediately thought of all my dear introvert friends.

10 tips to be a better online teacher: The Chronicle does a decent job of outlining many of the best practices we’ve learned regarding online teaching and makes them accessible to those that might be intimidated by full-blown quality frameworks. I’d send this to faculty with the explanation that the use of ‘better’ in the title doesn’t suggest that anyone is a ‘bad’ online teacher (as I think the title does a disservice to the piece).

CHEA/CIQG’s policy brief on free tuition: A really interesting brief on free college tuition – where it is working and the impact it is having on equity in three different countries.

And now for your George Michael reference (if you didn’t catch it in the post title). His album ‘Faith’ was released on April 11, 1988 (so I am a few days late celebrating the 31st anniversary). One More Try is one of my favorite tracks from the album.

Julie Uranis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Uranis serves as the Vice President for Online and Strategic Initiatives at UPCEA. In this capacity she is the Managing Director of the National Council for Online Education and leads the planning efforts for the Summit for Online Leadership and Administration + Roundtable (SOLA+R). Prior to joining UPCEA she lead the distance learning and continuing and professional development teams at Western Kentucky University as the Director of Distance Learning and Continuing & Professional Development. Julie began her career at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) where she held both teaching and administrative positions. Julie has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, a Master of Science in Technology Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Community College Leadership from EMU.


ABOUT

A Different Corner is written by Julie Uranis, Senior Vice President, Online & Strategic Initaitives. This blog veers into topics du jour in PCO and as the title of the blog might imply, a George Michael lyric or ten.


Click here to learn more about UPCEA's resources for online education leaders.


UPCEA Hallmarks of Excellence in Online Leadership

Developed with a goal of identifying the range of what will constitute successful online leadership, the Hallmarks of Excellence in Online Leadership include standards, aspirations and principles essential into the foreseeable (and not so foreseeable) future of online education. The Hallmarks identify seven facets of leadership and organizational development: internal advocacy, entrepreneurial initiative, faculty support, student support, digital technology, external advocacy, and professionalism.


UPCEA Updates + Blogs

Anticipating the Fall of 2025

In January 2025, the president issued an executive order freezing federal loans and grants, including Pell Grants and other student loans. While the order has since been rescinded, the damage was done. Moving forward, potential students will be wary about the frailty of college loans. There will be uncertainty as to whether college is affordable…

Read More

UPCEA 2024 Research: Unlocking Insights, Solving Higher Ed’s Biggest Challenges

The state of higher education in the U.S. is tumultuous with no clear and obvious pathway to success.  College and university leaders have never experienced what is currently going on regarding higher education, the economy, and the political landscape.  However, information can guide us, just as it did for UPCEA members coming out of the…

Read More

How to Develop Leaders in the Online, Continuing, and Professional Education Landscape

Introduction  The online, continuing, and professional education landscape has experienced rapid growth and transformation in recent years. With technological advancements and an increasing demand for flexible learning options, institutions are tasked with delivering high-quality programs in a dynamic environment. As this field evolves, the need for strong, effective leadership becomes even more critical. Leaders in…

Read More

UPCEA Congratulates Members Recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Ranking of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs

Thirty of the thirty-one Top 25 Ranked Institutions are UPCEA Members WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 6, 2025) — UPCEA, the online and professional education association, is pleased to congratulate the many UPCEA members recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. U.S. News rankings include more than 1,790 online programs, covering…

Read More

Federal Funding Pause Blocked by U.S. District Judge, Memo Rescinded | Policy Matters (January 2025)

At 11th hour, judge blocks Trump’s pause on federal funding (Higher Ed Dive) “UPDATE: Jan. 28, 2025: A U.S. District judge halted the government’s temporary freeze on federal funding just minutes before it was set to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to news reports. U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan in Washington, D.C., blocked the…

Read More

Should I Get Microcredentials To Complement My Four-Year Degree In Today’s Job Market? (Forbes)

“Think about a professional stepping into the workforce—equipped with the strategic insights cultivated during a four-year business degree and bolstered by technical expertise gained through microcredentials. This balanced blend of broad understanding and specialized skills does more than make them competitive; it prepares them to lead and drive transformative change. Employers are no longer satisfied…

Read More

The Nation's Top Universities Choose UPCEA Consulting

Informed decisions. Ideas that work. The data you need. Trusted by the top universities in the nation.