UPCEA Announces 2026-2027 Leadership Team for Council for Credential Innovation
UPCEA, the online and professional education association, announces the 2026-2027 leadership team for the Council for Credential Innovation (CCI). The association extends its gratitude to the 21 member volunteers serving in leadership roles for this body.
The Council for Credential Innovation (CCI) and its members focus on leveraging the strategic potential of non-degree credentials, workforce-focused microcredentials, and noncredit-to-credit pathways to transform learner mobility and workforce relevance. Each UPCEA member institution may designate a campus leader responsible for advancing credential innovation beyond traditional degree programs and credit hours to represent them on the CCI. Council representatives can attend exclusive events and participate in member-only content and engagement opportunities hosted by CCI.
CCI is led by a volunteer leadership group composed of representatives from UPCEA member organizations. The 2026-2027 CCI Leadership Team is:
- Jack Rodenfels, North Carolina State University (co-chair)
- Amber O’Casey, Alamo Community Colleges District (co-chair)
- Katherine Antonucci, Arizona State University
- Karen Bellnier, Mitchell College
- Kristine Bowman, Michigan State University
- Benjamin Brand, University of North Texas
- Insiya Bream, University of Maryland Global Camps
- Keisha Campbell, Morgan State University
- Kristine Collins, University of California, Irvine
- Saira Cooper, Rice University
- Julia Denholm, Simon Fraser University
- Amy Feest, Southern Connecticut State University
- Tim Gilrain, Villanova University
- Ronnie Godshalk, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Jeremy Lingle, University of Colorado Denver
- Carissa Little, Stanford University
- Melissa Lubin, University of Virginia
- Jessica Metzler, Providence College
- Kimberly Moore, Wichita State University
- Jill Pippin, SUNY Oswego
- Cate Tolnai, University of Phoenix
- Amy Heitzman, UPCEA (ex officio)
“The CCI plays an important role in helping institutions navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of credentials and workforce-aligned learning,” said Amy Heitzman, Deputy CEO and Chief Learning Officer at UPCEA. “This leadership team brings tremendous expertise and a strong commitment to collaboration, and I look forward to the ways they will continue to advance credential innovation across higher education.”
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