UPCEA Membership Benefits
Dedicated to advancing quality online and professional continuing education at postsecondary institutions, UPCEA is uniquely focused on excellence at the highest levels – leadership, administration, strategy and vision – applying a macro lens to the online teaching and learning enterprise.
Take your seat on the Council for Chief Online Learning Officers (C-COLO)
The Council for Chief Online Learning Officers (C-COLO) is the body for the primary leaders for online, digital, or other technology-enhanced postsecondary enterprises. COLOs can have responsibilities inclusive of, but not limited to, digital and hybrid learning, instructional design, student experience, and faculty development, whether at the unit, college, or institutional level.
COLOs advocate for and with stakeholders to advance the strategy, leadership, and vision of postsecondary online education in keeping with an institution’s mission and values. UPCEA recognizes there is diversity in the title of such roles, depending on institutional type, culture, and maturity of the online enterprise.
Interested in learning more about the C-COLO? Contact Julie Uranis, Senior Vice President of Online and Strategic Initiatives, [email protected].
Networking, Professional Development & Industry-Leading Events
Networking for Leaders
Peer-to-peer networking and discussions related to leadership, strategy, management, and public policy.
Networks: Join any of our 8 key topics networks, including the Online Administration and eDesign Collaborative Networks.
Online Administration Network
The Online Administration Network (OA) serves as a bridge between the administrative functions of online learning (marketing, online student services, program development, etc.) and the design of online learning. Participation in the OA Network provides access to authentic institutional online operational models, best practice trends in online management, professional analysis of learning design applications, and the formulation of best practices in the use of technology and learning design in online instruction.
Program Planning and Implementation Network
The Program Planning & Implementation Network (PPI) provides a forum for members to share and explore program management best practices and innovations in credit and non-credit programming. The Network supports the professional development needs of program coordinators, managers, and directors and the similar competencies necessary to be successful online and professional continuing education leaders. The network is a community that strives to identify, develop, and sustain innovative programs.
Exclusive member online discussion community: CORe
Real-time access to 15,000+ educators, leaders, and colleagues for collaboration, advice, and ideas.
COLOs also have their own discussion channel in CORe.
- Summit for Online Leadership and Administration (SOLA)
- Online Leadership Roundtable (annual convening of the Council for Chief Online Learning Officers)
- UPCEA Annual Conference
- Distance Teaching & Learning Conference
- Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education
- MEMS: Marketing, Enrollment Management, Student Success
- Virtual Regional Salons
- Webinars and Coffee Chats
UPCEA Professional Development
Get the essential skills and knowledge you need with UPCEA’s online Professional Development programs by using our certificate programs for succession planning and team member upskilling: the PCO Professional Certificate and the PCO Leader Certificate!
UPCEA is proud to have partnered with highly respected leaders in the field to develop and implement these PCO Professional Development programs. Using the perspective of practical application, the Founding Faculty helped determine the competencies and skills to cover within the PCO Professional Development programs.
Online Leadership, Strategy & Vision
Consult with Our Experts
Our lead consultants are available to provide brief, rapid responses for members who have questions about all aspects of online and professional continuing education programs and strategy.
Hallmarks of Excellence in Online Leadership
Expert member content includes standards, aspirations and principles essential to successful online education. These Hallmarks identify seven facets of leadership and organizational development: internal advocacy, entrepreneurial initiative, faculty support, student support, digital technology, external advocacy, and professionalism.
Leaders also employ the Hallmarks of Excellence in Professional and Continuing Education and the Hallmarks of Excellence in Credential Innovation.
Contact Us!
Find out how UPCEA can help YOUR organization navigate the vastly changing landscape of online and professional continuing education.
Complete this form or contact Mel Edwards at 202-844-4242 - email [email protected]
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What Current UPCEA Members Are Saying
"The esprit de corps exhibited by UPCEA staff and members is second to none."
J. Kim McNutt, Dean-College of Continuing and Professional Education
California State University, Dominguez Hills
"We are an institutional member of UPCEA based in Ontario, Canada and I can honestly say that UPCEA has been one of the most valuable networks I have ever had the privilege of being a part of."
Alison Darling, Director, Professional Programs
Queen’s University Industrial Relations Centre (IRC)
"I have not been part of another organization that can so quickly and easily
connect you with seasoned professionals and growth opportunities."
Kristin Hrynczuk, Instructional Technology Specialist
Western Michigan University
"The UPCEA membership benefits that have been invaluable to me are the professional development resources, the benchmarking resources and the UPCEA Hallmarks of Excellence."
Dr. Tonya Amankwatia, Assistant Vice Provost of Distance Education & Extended Learning
North Carolina A&T State University
"While the field of online and professional education becomes increasingly competitive, UPCEA has maintained its collaborative, entrepreneurial environment, providing endless opportunities for learning and sharing with colleagues across institutions. From conferences, to webinars, to casual conversations, the UPCEA community has been a resource to me and my staff for ideas, innovations, and new perspectives. Together, we've advanced the field of professional education."
Thomas F. Gibbons, Dean
Northwestern University School of Professional Studies
"All community colleges and universities would benefit from the expertise in online learning that UPCEA staff and members possess."
Barbara Kopp Miller, Ph.D., Dean and Professor
University of Toledo
“Our team is discovering what a great resource the UPCEA network is, and everyone is becoming a fan! We look forward to our collaboration in the years ahead."
Charles Iacovou, Dean of the School of Professional Studies
Wake Forest University
"Having these resources and sharing best practices helped us navigate through what will forever be considered the new normal."
Mili Maldonado Agusty, Executive Director
Sagrado Global School of Professional Studies, Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, San Juan, Puerto Rico
"The UPCEA membership, without question, has been the best return on investment for our institution."
Pamela Wimbush, Dean, College of Continuing Education (Interim)
Sacramento State
"I continue to find the collaborative spaces in UPCEA extremely rewarding and hope to keep locating new ways to leverage my skills and grow in the organization."
Matt DiPirro, Associate Dean, Liberal Arts
Southern New Hampshire University
"For our employees, UPCEA is the key to career professional development and networking in Online and Continuing Education."
Rovy Branon, Vice Provost
Continuum College, University of Washington
“UPCEA has been an incredible resource for our whole division at UW-Whitewater. Our members have brought back many actionable ideas from the main conference, MEMS, DT&L, and Convergence! The online professional development has also been targeted, relevant, and accessible for our staff.”
Matthew E. Vick, Dean, School of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
"UPCEA is the one place where I know I have a network of colleagues who are...willing to share their expertise and experience."
Christina Trombley, Ph.D., Executive Director of Drake Online and Continuing Education
Drake University
"This is going to sound hyperbolic, but my membership in UPCEA has been paramount to the success of the higher education institutions I’ve served. Simply put, the research, resources, workshops, conferences, and professional connections have helped guide my long-term strategic plans and short-term operational approaches. UPCEA membership is a professional “requirement” if you’re in this ever-evolving field and want to advance educational access and equity. That’s on the professional front. On the personal front, I’ve made lifelong friends out of lifelong colleagues, and the annual gatherings of higher education mavericks should not be missed."
Robert Bruce, Dean
Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, Rice University
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