University leaders to share insights on impactful digital credential strategies benefiting students and employers

University of Phoenix announces several key leaders will present on building digital credentials that deliver value for both students and employers at the 1EdTech Digital Credentials Summit, March 3-5, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona. The presenters include Vice Provost of Strategy Marc Booker, Ph.D.; Associate Dean for the College of Business and IT Natalie Pratt, MBA; Vice Provost of Colleges, Curriculum, and Assessment Doris Savron, MBA; Director of Learning Innovation and Strategy Mary Elizabeth Smith, M.Ed.; Sr. Manager of Provost Initiatives and Academic Program Lifecycle Chelse Thomas, MBA; Dean for the College of Business and IT Kathryn Uhles, MIS, MIP; and Director of Assessment Nick Williams, Ed.D.

1EdTech's Digital Credentials Summit invites education, workforce and business leaders and innovators working to transform education and work with verifiable credentials to attend and become part of a transformative new focus on developing skills and connecting talent to opportunities.

"At University of Phoenix, we are committed to pioneering innovative educational strategies that align with the evolving needs of both working adult learners and employers,” states Savron. “Our participation in the 1EdTech Digital Credentials Summit underscores our dedication to advancing digital credentials that empower learners and enhance workforce readiness. Digital credentials provide a valuable addition to our students' educational experience, helping them to clearly demonstrate their skills and achievements to potential employers.”

Attendees of the 1EdTech Digital Credentials Summit can look forward to insightful sessions from University of Phoenix leaders. Savron will participate in a panel on "Accelerating & Expanding Capacity for Employer Engagement," while Booker will discuss "K-12 to Gray: The Power of Digital Credentials to Support Lifelong Learning."

Smith, along with Pratt and Uhles, will present on "Designing Pathway Credentials that Meet Employer Needs." Additionally, Williams, Thomas, and Smith will explore "Beyond Acceptance and Shares: Diverse Data to Elevate Microcredentials."

University of Phoenix’s work in the field of digital badging is tied to the understanding that employers are increasingly shifting to a skills-based focus to better support hiring and retention strategies, a change that is supporting opportunities in talent development, career mobility, performance and ease of hiring.

University of Phoenix works with Credly to issue its digital badges and has issued over 600,000 digital badges since September 2021, for skills obtained in undergraduate, graduate, and professional development courses. The University’s transition to a skills-mapped curriculum helps ensure that students are identifying and acquiring skills in weeks, rather than years, yielding value from their education as they progress through courses rather than just at the point of graduation. In turn, this now informs the development of tools and products, which is growing a system of lifelong career support for students and alumni.

Booker, Pratt, Savron, Smith, Thomas, Uhles, and Williams are key members of the University of Phoenix's dynamic leadership team, frequently invited to share their expertise at prestigious national conferences and events. In the coming months, University leaders will participate in the AACRAO Annual Meeting, ASU + GSV Summit, 1EdTech Learning Impact Conference, SXSW EDU Conference, and PESC Summit. These engagements underscore the University's commitment to innovation and thought leadership in higher education, providing valuable insights and fostering collaborations that drive the future of learning

For more information about the 1EdTech Digital Credentials Summit, visit the registration website.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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