UPCEA and AACRAO Partner for 2025 Convergence Conference on Credential Innovation

UPCEA, the online and professional education association, and AACRAO, a non-profit organization supporting higher education professionals, are collaborating to present Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education from September 29 to October 1, 2025. The conference will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, strategically located near where critical federal policy decisions are made. This timing is particularly significant as higher education faces a transitional period in federal policy, including recent expansions such as Pell Grants supporting short-term, career-focused training programs.

The event will bring together key campus leaders and stakeholders from across academia to examine emerging credential models, share best practices, and develop institutional strategies. Participants will include deans of professional education, chief online learning officers, registrars, and their staff, all focused on building strategic approaches to alternative credentials. As higher education navigates this changing regulatory landscape, the conference provides a crucial forum for institutional leaders to align their strategies with emerging federal priorities and workforce demands.

Robert Hansen, CEO of UPCEA, emphasized that credential innovation represents one of the most pressing priorities facing higher education today. Convergence offers institutions the opportunity to learn from peers and collectively lead in this evolving space. The partnership with AACRAO strengthens this initiative, driving important work forward during a critical period for educational innovation. The conference will feature interactive workshops, collaborative roundtables, and peer-led sessions designed to engage attendees in dynamic experiences that inform, inspire, and empower.

Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director of AACRAO, highlighted the strategic importance of embracing new credential approaches to respond to public demands for stronger alignment with workforce needs. This alignment demonstrates clear institutional return on investment and positions higher education to effectively appeal to new and emerging markets. The conference serves as a unique platform for professionals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to exchange ideas and become catalysts for progress in the credential innovation landscape.

Additional information about the conference and registration details can be found at https://upcea.edu/convergence. The event will also feature the release of UPCEA's latest Advocacy Committee deliverable titled The Future is Now: Essential Conversations for Building Tomorrow's University Today, further contributing to the important discussions surrounding credential innovation in higher education.