UPCEA Updates

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

2022 Association Award Recipients Announced

UPCEA Announces 2022 Association Award Recipients

By UPCEA | February 9, 2022

8 Individuals and 8 Programs Receive Association’s Highest Honors WASHINGTON, February 9, 2022 – UPCEA, the leader in online and professional continuing education, has announced the recipients of the 2022 Association Awards. The UPCEA Association Awards program includes recognition of both individual and institutional achievement across the UPCEA membership. Since 1953, UPCEA has recognized its…

Emergency Remote Instruction Is Not Quality Online Learning (Inside Higher Ed)

By UPCEA | February 4, 2022

Widespread misconceptions have arisen, write members of the National Council for Online Education, but when done correctly, online courses can be as effective as face-to-face ones. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, students, faculty and administrators faced challenges amid the urgent pivot to emergency remote instruction. The pandemic and resulting quarantines are…

UPCEA Announces Leadership Teams for New Council for Credential Innovation and Alternative Credentials Network

By UPCEA | January 26, 2022

UPCEA welcomes 31 leaders in alternative credentials to volunteer roles WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 26, 2022) — UPCEA, the association for college and university leaders in online and professional continuing education, announced today the inaugural leadership team for the Council for Credential Innovation (CCI).  The Council for Credential Innovation is composed of senior leaders charged with…

Agile in Higher Ed Marketing

By UPCEA | January 26, 2022

The Agile methodology has been around for more than 20 years, spearheaded and most well-known in software development and tech circles.  However, the Agile methodology and various frameworks can be applied to almost any discipline.  At NC State Online, embracing Agile has completely transformed our marketing process and allowed us to take on more projects…

UPCEA and the University of Wisconsin–Madison to Partner on Distance Teaching & Learning (DT&L) Conferences

By UPCEA | January 12, 2022

Partnership brings UPCEA’s experience in online leadership and administration to UW–Madison’s highly valued annual DT&L conferences. WASHINGTON, D.C. and MADISON, WI (Jan. 12, 2022) – The University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) and the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW–Madison) announced today they will partner on UW–Madison’s annual Distance Teaching & Learning (DT&L) conferences in 2022…

Growing ‘maze’ of education credentials is confusing consumers, employers (The Washington Post)

By UPCEA | December 27, 2021

[…] There is, in fact, a “maze” of nearly a million unique education credentials in the United States, the nonprofit Credential Engine reports, including not only degrees but also badges, certificates, licenses, apprenticeships and industry certifications. More have popped up during the pandemic as career-switchers seek education and training. The result is confusion among employers…

In Memoriam: Gregory Milton

By UPCEA | December 17, 2021

A Program Planning and Implementation Network Tribute to Gregory Milton, Ph.D. It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Greg Milton passed away last week. Greg Milton, Ph.D., was our colleague and friend and PPI’s former Chair (2018). Greg was instrumental to PPI for many years and helped the Network grow…

The 5 ways colleges can reverse trend of students stopping out (University Business)

By UPCEA | December 13, 2021

Senior administrators ranked persistence and retention as the No. 1 priority in supporting higher education students in a study conducted by American University and the Association of American Colleges and Universities this past spring. They understand well the challenges facing those who attend their institutions, including the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. But there are a number of other…

Other Blogs and News:

Learning Mobility in Action: Removing Barriers and Recognizing the Whole Learner

Learning Mobility: A Movement Taking Shape At this year’s AACRAO Technology & Transfer: A Learning Mobility Summit, higher education leaders from UPCEA member institutions gathered to explore a question at the heart of the learner mobility movement: How can postsecondary institutions recognize, record, and reward all learning—wherever and however it occurs? Moderating this conversation alongside…

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Convergence in Action: Building Strategic Credential Frameworks Through Collaboration

At Convergence 2025, a conversation unfolded that perfectly captured the spirit of the event—collaboration across boundaries, disciplines, and traditions to create something more unified and learner-centered. In Convergence in Action: Strategic Credential Framework Collaborations Across Campus, I had the pleasure of moderating a panel featuring Elizabeth Kerr and Molly McDermott-Fallon of the University of Cincinnati…

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Don’t Bring a Brochure to a Robot Fight: Winning Page One and the AI Overview

Imagine your bellwether program stepping into a modern search arena with a glossy tri-fold and a storied reputation, ready to battle any challenger. Across the ring rolls a robotic rival as “The Imperial March” blares over the speakers. The ref signals start; a blinding spotlight from the robot makes your program vanish from view. The…

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Friday Focus: Nurture Your Career and Yourself

In celebration of National Distance Learning Week, UPCEA is highlighting key resources each day that showcase how online and professional education leaders continue to drive innovation, resilience, and transformation. It’s Friday—a perfect moment to pause, take a breath, and focus on you. Your career, your growth, and your well-being all deserve attention. UPCEA offers ways…

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Future-Forward: Trends and Strategic Directions in Online and Professional Education

In celebration of National Distance Learning Week, UPCEA is highlighting key resources each day that showcase how online and professional education leaders continue to drive innovation, resilience, and transformation. Higher education is standing at the edge of rapid transformation, where the choices made today will define the universities of tomorrow. From shifting learner demographics and…

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Online Leaders Have a Community — and It’s UPCEA

In celebration of National Distance Learning Week, UPCEA is highlighting key resources each day that showcase how online and professional education leaders continue to drive innovation, resilience, and transformation. Behind every successful online learning initiative is a strong community of leaders who share ideas, solve challenges, and push the field forward together. At UPCEA, that…

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