From the CEO

Musings on trends and updates from UPCEA CEO Bob Hansen. 

Plan to join us in-person for 2022 events!

I’m pleased to share with you some exciting news: UPCEA’s industry-leading events will be back live and in-person in April 2022! Even better, we are combining the Annual Conference and the Summit for Online Leadership and Administration + Roundtable (SOLA+R), hosting both events in Orlando, FL, at Disney’s Coronado Springs April 11-14, 2022. For the first time you will be able to travel just once and attend both events.

Here are a few more details to help you with your 2022 travel plans:

  • Our week at Disney kicks off on Monday with the Summit for Online Leadership and Administration with focused sessions for online professionals

  • By Tuesday afternoon the Annual Conference begins, with sessions highlighting the work being done in professional, continuing, and online (PCO) enterprises

  • Each evening we have great events planned, including an all-conference welcome celebration on the first night of our week together (April 11 – open to all attendees)

  • We’ve secured special group rates at the newly renovated Disney’s Coronado Springs, just $249 (tower rooms) and $219 (non-tower rooms) per night. The special rate will apply for the three days before and after the conference, subject to hotel availability — a perfect opportunity to extend your stay and enjoy Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!

 

Unable to travel? Throughout the coming year and soon after our time together in Orlando, UPCEA will host virtual events showcasing the innovative work being done by professional, continuing, and online units. Most of these events will be complimentary with your membership, while others will have a modest registration fee and economical institutional passes like those offered at our 2020-2021 virtual conferences.

I also encourage you and your team to join us at this fall’s virtual events:

  • October 2021 | UPCEA Regional Conferences | Virtual | Free for members!
  • December 1-3, 2021 | UPCEA Marketing and Enrollment Management Seminar | Virtual

 

Registration and other details for these events will be available soon.

A man (Bob Hansen) is dressed in a blue suit smiling for a headshot.

Dr. Robert J. Hansen has served as Chief Executive Officer of UPCEA, the online and professional education association, since 2010. UPCEA has more than tripled in size during Hansen’s tenure by focusing on new initiatives that elevate the field, including industry-leading events for online leadership and credential innovation in higher educationonline leadership development programs, and a popular research and consulting service for members. He previously served in senior leadership roles in both public and private universities, and as an education policy aide in the administration of former Illinois governor, Jim Edgar. Hansen earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Notre Dame, an M.A. in Literature from the University of Michigan, and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois.