UPCEA Updates

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

Changes in Labor Statistics Signal Major Occupational Shifts and Impact to Higher Education Credentials

By UPCEA | October 12, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 12, 2017 – A joint research report released today by UPCEA and Chmura Economics & Analytics reveals a number of major occupational shifts in technology, healthcare, and other industries and their impact on higher education. The study, Occupational Shifts and Higher Education Credentials found a rise in alternative credentialing in the…

196 Recipients Receive Honors Across 26 Categories for Excellence in Marketing

By UPCEA | October 11, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 11, 2017 — UPCEA, the leader in professional, continuing, and online education, has announced the recipients of the 2017 Marketing Awards. The UPCEA Marketing Awards program recognizes the top marketing and creative work across the UPCEA membership. This year, UPCEA is honoring 196 recipients for their excellence in 26 awards categories across…

Announcing two exciting, new member-driven regional conference pilot programs!

By UPCEA | September 21, 2017

Dear Colleagues, I want to share with you the results of the UPCEA Presidential Task Force on Regional Conferences, which conducted a comprehensive and iterative review of the signature deliverable of UPCEA’s five regions: a fall conference. The UPCEA Board of Directors charged the Task Force to make recommendations for reducing the number of regional…

UPCEA Addresses Trump Administration on DACA

By UPCEA | August 30, 2017

UPCEA joined with HACU (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities) and ACE (American Council on Education) along with other organizations to retain protections for those who are part of the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program until longer term solutions can be put into place. The letters call for the program to be retained…

How can colleges amend unsustainable business models? (EducationDIVE)

By UPCEA | August 29, 2017

Current economic trends may lead to more socioeconomic divisions, according to Lynn Pasquerella, the president of the Association of American Colleges & Universities. In “Future Forward: The Next 20 Years of Higher Education,” most respondents said the preponderance of online education options had been the most seismic development in higher education during the previous two…

The Future of Education is the Microdegree (ElearningInside News)

By UPCEA | August 24, 2017

Blackboard recently teamed up with the University Professional and Continuing Education Association to produce a report exploring generational shifts in education. One of the report’s most striking findings is that 30% of respondents indicated that they don’t draw on knowledge from their university degree in their current job and 23% indicated that their degree is…

More Than Just Cool? (InsideHigherEd)

By UPCEA | July 12, 2017

Collecting data might be the key to getting skeptics to look at VR and AR beyond “cool,” said Ray Schroeder, associate vice president for online learning at the University of Illinois at Springfield and director council for online education for the University Professional and Continuing Education Association. “Higher education is moving beyond just the coolness factor to…

Report: Colleges And Universities Should Offer More Alternative Credentials (Campus Technology)

By UPCEA | June 30, 2017

Report: Colleges And Universities Should Offer More Alternative Credentials (Campus Technology) June 30, 2017   Younger students are more interested in alternatives to traditional degree offerings, such as microcredentials, certificates and other short-term opportunities, according to a new report from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association(UPCEA) and Blackboard. “I think over time, as traditional education continues…

Other Blogs and News:

Results of Global Lifelong Learning Study Released

UPCEA supported the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL)’s comprehensive global study. WASHINGTON (June 18, 2025) – UPCEA, the online and professional education association, today announced the release of an international study, “Making lifelong learning central to university strategy,” conducted by the Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) and CarringtonCrisp.  UPCEA (alongside EUCEN) is proud…

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New Book Offers Strategic Blueprint for the Decade of the Chief Online Learning Officer

UPCEA and Routledge Publish Landmark Guide to Elevating Online Education Leadership WASHINGTON (June 17, 2025) – UPCEA, the online and professional education association, proudly announces the release of The Chief Online Learning Officers’ Guidebook: A Framework for Strategy and Practice in Higher Education (co-published with Routledge). This essential new volume, co-edited by two of the…

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Navigating Political Headwinds: Online and Professional Continuing Education Units Support of International Enrollment Efforts

Colleges and universities committed to high-quality teaching and research are navigating a growing set of challenges in attracting and supporting international students. The presence of international students on our U.S. campuses enriches the academic environment, fosters global perspectives, and enhances the cultural competency of the campus communities. These learners often pursue STEM disciplines, contributing significantly…

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Celebrating the life of Dr. Pamela Wimbush

It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you of the passing of one of our own. Dr. Pamela Wimbush, a friend, mentor, colleague, and member of the UPCEA’s Board of Directors passed away Tuesday. She will be missed, most acutely by her family and the dear friends she has all over the…

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International-Student Crackdown Escalates; UPCEA Joins Opposition to Broad Changes | Policy Matters (May 2025)

Major Updates International-Student Crackdown Escalates | UPCEA Joins Opposition to Broad Changes After weeks of public sparring, the Department of Homeland Security formally revoked Harvard’s authority to host F-1 and J-1 students on May 22, citing non-compliance with new federal demands around campus protests and DEI programs. More than 6,800 students, about a quarter of Harvard’s…

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Why Credential Terminology Matters in Higher Education and Workforce Development

In the fast-evolving landscape of higher education and workforce alignment, non-degree credentials are surging in popularity. This trend is largely a result of baccalaureate degrees that are not adapting quickly to address more immediate market needs, coupled with a skepticism about the value of the degree. In place of bachelor’s degrees, students are seeking more…

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