Key members of the leadership team will join proceedings focused on innovation in higher education

University of Phoenix is proud to announce that several key leaders will present and moderate sessions on innovative credentialing and academic program strategies at the UPCEA Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, on March 24-26, 2025. The presenters include Vice Provost of Strategy Marc Booker, Ph.D.; Vice Provost, Colleges, Assessment and Curriculum, Doris Savron, MBA; Senior Director of Program Deployment Hillary Halpern, MBA; and Sr. Manager of Provost Initiatives and Academic Program Lifecycle Chelse Thomas, MBA.

The UPCEA Annual Conference represents a significant assembly of thought leaders and practitioners in online and professional continuing education. With a focus on lifelong learning, it brings together senior university leaders from various institutions and offers attendees the chance to gain insights from and adopt best practices in the field.

"At University of Phoenix, we are committed to delivering innovative educational programs tailored to the needs of working adult learners and employers," states Booker. "My colleagues and I are thrilled to join the UPCEA conference to share insights on developing programs that deliver outstanding value to our students. Through initiatives like digital credentials, we empower students to develop the skills necessary to excel in the workforce and effectively communicate their value to potential employers in weeks and not years.”

Attendees of the UPCEA Annual Conference can look forward to insightful sessions from University of Phoenix leaders. Booker will discuss "Creating Value-Add Partnerships Between Academics and IT on Campus,” and will be a panelist for a conversation on “Advancing Digital Credentials in Higher Education: Standards Based Approaches for Trust and Value.” Halpern and Thomas will present on "University Program Lifecycle: Developing, Launching and Evaluating an Academic Program Portfolio," showcasing the University's innovative approach to managing academic degree program development and evaluation; while Savron will moderate a panel titled “Aligning Audience, Purpose, Program, and Credential in your Alternative Credential Program.”

University of Phoenix has been at the forefront of educational innovation, consistently leading the way in integrating technology and accessible practices, establishing a culture of credit mobility, and adopting new delivery and pedagogy models. University of Phoenix’s work in digital badging and academic program development is tied to the understanding that employers are increasingly shifting to a skills-based focus to better support hiring and retention strategies. This change supports 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 750,000 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, Savron, Halpern, and Thomas are key members of 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 Data 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 UPCEA Annual Conference, 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/blog.html.

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