Graduate Network

The Graduate Network provides a dynamic forum for professionals engaged in the advancement of graduate education to collaborate, innovate, and lead. The Network is a forum for members to share insights, strategies, and research spanning the full graduate education continuum—from academic leadership, faculty engagement, market analysis and program design to enrollment management, and student success.

Recognizing the evolving needs of today’s graduate learners—including online, adult, part-time, and global students— as well as the evolving workforce landscape, the Network explores emerging modalities, interdisciplinary program models, international partnerships, and workforce-aligned credentials as it relates to graduate education. It fosters a cross-functional community that values creativity, responsiveness, and collaboration to advance institutional effectiveness and learner outcomes.

Through shared learning, peer support, and the development of actionable best practices, the Network supports professionals in shaping forward-thinking, inclusive, and sustainable graduate education ecosystems.

Who Should Join?

The Graduate Network serves all those working in the graduate education space, and the following individuals especially may find value in the conversations and connections:

  • Senior leaders charged with driving strategy pertaining to graduate education for their institution
  • Team members responsible for recruiting and retaining online, adult, and professional graduate students
  • Professionals engaged in designing and developing innovative graduate and professional education programs for post-baccalaureate students
  • Those working in employer engagement and workforce training development
  • Deans 
  • Provosts
  • Directors
  • Managers
  • Vice Presidents
  • Coordinators
  • Academic Technologists
  • Faculty
  • ...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 Graduate 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.

About UPCEA Networks

Today, the field of professional, continuing, online education is characterized by engagement in very complex, highly specialized areas of practice. UPCEA’s nine 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.

The Graduate Network works with the help of a Steering Committee. The Steering Committee invites members to join and asks that you consider an active role as a member of the leadership team in a position such as Chair-Elect of the Network, Vice Chair for Awards, or Vice Chair for Communications. The Committee also welcomes your suggestions for events that you would like to see the Network offer such as webinar and coffee chat topics. Volunteer to join us.

2025-2026

Steering Committee

Benjamin Brand

University of North Texas
[email protected]

Cheri DeClercq

Michigan State University
[email protected]

Chris Guymon

Utah Tech University
[email protected]

Eric McGee

EducationDynamics
[email protected]

George Irvine

University of Delaware
[email protected]

Jason Garner

American University
[email protected]

Heather McCullough

University of North Carolina System Office
[email protected]

Jen Staiger

Mount St. Mary's University
[email protected]

Jonathan Orsini

University of Florida
[email protected]

Kristin Marengo

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
[email protected]

Lizbeth Marquez

Oregon State University Ecampus
[email protected]

Mitchell Farmer

Purdue University
[email protected]

Nancy Ludwig

University of Massachusetts, Lowell
[email protected]

Shonda Jones

Wake Forest University
[email protected]

Wendy Boland

American University
[email protected]

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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!

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Awards of Excellence

Since 1953, UPCEA has recognized its members' outstanding contributions to the Association and the field, as well as their achievements in innovative programming, marketing and promotion, community development and services, research and publications, and many other areas.