UPCEA Updates

Your one-stop shop for the latest Association happenings, plus thoughts from the desk of CEO Bob Hansen.

Definition Update: Chief Online Learning Officer (COLO)

By UPCEA | February 17, 2023

By Julie Uranis, Senior Vice President of Online and Strategic Initiatives, UPCEA From its earliest days in 1915, UPCEA members have led the charge in making postsecondary education available to distant learners. From the correspondence movement to today, distance learning, now online learning, has been led by practitioners that sit at the intersection of curriculum,…

Do Stranded Academic Credits Lead To Stranded Students? How Transfer Of Credit Policies Impact College Completion (Forbes)

By UPCEA | February 17, 2023

[…] Late last year, the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), the largest association of adult and continuing education divisions at higher education institutions, and StraighterLine, a provider of low-cost, flexible online courses, found that the most significant barrier that students encounter when transferring between institutions is getting earned academic credit to count at…

UPCEA Congratulates Members Recognized in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report Ranking of Best Online Bachelor’s Programs

By UPCEA | February 10, 2023

29 of Top 30 Ranked Institutions are UPCEA Members WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 10, 2023) — UPCEA, the association for college and university leaders in online and professional continuing education, is pleased to congratulate the many UPCEA members recognized in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. U.S. News rankings include more…

UPCEA Announces 2023 Association Award Recipients

By UPCEA | February 1, 2023

8 Individuals and 8 Programs Receive Association’s Highest Honors   WASHINGTON, February 1, 2023 – UPCEA, the leader in online and professional continuing education, has announced the recipients of the 2023 Association Awards. The UPCEA Association Awards program includes recognition of both individual and institutional achievement across the UPCEA membership. Since 1953, UPCEA has recognized…

Innovation and Creation in Ever-Advancing Artificial Intelligence (The European Business Review)

By UPCEA | February 1, 2023

Read Ray Schroeder’s perspective on what artificial intelligence means for the future.  We understand that artificial intelligence (AI) resulted in the loss of many blue-collar jobs as smart robots took over the manufacturing process. However, we now know that this generation of AI will have even greater impact in truly creative fields, including art and…

UPCEA Welcomes New Board and DEI Committee Members

By UPCEA | December 15, 2022

WASHINGTON, December 15, 2022 – UPCEA, the Washington, D.C.-based association for college and university leaders in professional, continuing, and online education, is pleased to announce the election of new officers and new directors to serve on the UPCEA Board of Directors. Elected in November, these individuals will assume their roles at the conclusion of the…

UPCEA Announces Retirement of Chief Membership Officer Kimberly Zaski, New Staff Additions

By UPCEA | October 28, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 28, 2022 – UPCEA, the association for leaders in online and professional continuing education, has announced a number of key staff changes. Chief Membership Officer and Vice President, Corporate Partnerships Kimberly Zaski is retiring at the end of the calendar year. She will be replaced by Kathleen Ives, formerly CEO of the…

New Book Turns Lens on Online Education’s ROI Imperative

By UPCEA | October 25, 2022

‘Using ROI for Strategic Planning of Online Education’ explores process for shifting to an ROI mindset amid pressure for higher ed to prove value and relevance WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, October 25, 2022 — Higher education has rarely employed return on investment (ROI) methodology in strategic planning for online education. This may be about to…

Other Blogs and News:

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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