Events

Attend or view webinars on your schedule and connect with peers at higher education conferences and professional networking events across the U.S. - especially useful for new or mid-level professionals. Share your lessons learned with colleagues by presenting a session at one of our conferences for higher education and get involved with the association by becoming a volunteer leader. Connect with other high-level leaders through fantastic networking opportunities during the Annual Conference and all our events, which are designed to foster professional development and career growth. Webinars are free for UPCEA Members, and membership also provides discounts to all our conferences and other events, supporting your ongoing professional learning.

• Conferences and Seminars
• Webinars & Chats
• Regional Salons
• Past Events

Conferences and Seminars

FEBRUARY 4-5, 2026

2026 Digital Teaching & Learning (DT&L) Conference

Virtual

Free to All UPCEA Members

Visit the event website

APRIL 15-17, 2026

2026 Annual Conference

New Orleans, LA

Visit the event website

July 29-31, 2026

2026 SOLAR (Summit for Online Leadership and Administration)

Boston, MA

Visit the event website

UPCEA Regional Salons | Virtual | Free and open to all UPCEA members

MULTIPLE DATES

2026 Regional Salons: Free to All UPCEA Members

Virtual

Visit the event website

Save the dates for these upcoming events:

Click here to view past events

See Featured External Engagements by UPCEA Staff

Webinars & Chats

January 20 & 27, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM ET

UPCEA AI Study Group (Two Sessions | 20 Seats | Virtual)

Hosted by UPCEA

Join a small, practical cohort to share AI use cases in enrollment management and leave with actionable examples for your own work. Open to all members; selection is first come, first in. Two live virtual sessions on Tuesday, January 20 and Tuesday, January 27 at 3:00pm ET; attendance at both is expected.

Apply today - interest form application takes 2-3 minutes to complete.

Click here to apply

January 21, 2026 | 2:00 PM-3:00 PM ET

Webinar | Online Education Goes Global: Navigating Policy and Legal Issues for Enrolling Internationally-Located Students

Hosted by the UPCEA Policy Committee

As on-campus international student enrollment in US-based programs declines amid shifting federal policies, universities are increasingly exploring online programs as a pathway to serve globally-distributed learners. Join us for a comprehensive webinar examining the critical policy and legal considerations institutions must address when expanding online programs to internationally-located students. This session will highlight the complex web of regulatory compliance issues and equip administrators, faculty, and policy makers with essential guidance to navigate the legal, regulatory, and operational issues in serving international students online. Discover best practices for compliance strategies, risk mitigation approaches, and sustainable methods for international online program delivery while maintaining institutional integrity and student success.

Presenters:

Patty Milner, University of Arkansas
Amy L. White, University of Arkansas
Corina Caraccioli, Louisiana State University

Moderator: Amy Collier, Middlebury

January 27, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | The Operational Side of Credential Innovation: Finances and Organizational Structure

Hosted by the Credential Innovation Network

Join us for the third session in our coffee chat series for those new to the credential innovation space. Building on our previous conversations, this chat will focus on the ways that we can explore business goals and models as well as how to justify your worth, whether monetarily or with success metrics. If business is one of the many hats you wear, whether or not it’s your background, this conversation is for you.

Click here to access the room at 3PM on January 27 or download our calendar invite below.

Coffee Chats are informal, unrecorded, live opportunities to connect with UPCEA peers. Typically an hour or less, they provide time to discuss topics of interest, share ideas and connect with others in a casual setting.

Click here to download a calendar invite

January 28, 2026 | 2:00 PM-3:00 PM ET

Webinar | Decoding Workforce Pell and the New Program Accountability Framework: Negotiated Rulemaking Insights and Implementation Guidance

Hosted by the UPCEA Policy Committee

Join us to explore the new Workforce Pell Grants for short-term credential programs as well as discussions about federal program accountability frameworks. We’ll unpack the U.S. Department of Education and its negotiated rulemaking sessions on Workforce Pell, and provide attendees insights into what clarity there may be as we look toward the July 1, 2026 implementation.

We’ll discuss a comprehensive breakdown of what negotiators debated, where consensus emerged (or didn’t) and how those discussions are likely to shape the upcoming proposed and final regulations. In this session, we will explore the key policy questions, program eligibility considerations, and implementation challenges. We’ll highlight both the opportunities Workforce Pell may create for expanding short-term credential access and the restrictions or guardrails institutions should be prepared to navigate.

We will also review the broader accountability framework, including the potential implications for programs facing increased scrutiny or possible loss of Title IV eligibility under the existing Gainful Employment (GE) and Financial Value Transparency (FVT) regulations, as well as the new Do No Harm accountability framework created under the OBBBA. Participants will gain insight into expected elements to watch for in the Department’s final Workforce Pell and accountability regulations and implementation steps institutions can begin planning now, even before the rules are final.

Whether you are preparing new or existing short-term programs, updating compliance strategies, or simply tracking federal policy developments, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge needed to stay ahead of upcoming changes and make informed decisions for your institution.

Presenters:

Ricky LaFosse, University of Michigan
Jordan DiMaggio, UPCEA

February 10, 2026 | 12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | Momentum in the Margins: How Small Wins Can Lead to Better Industry Responsiveness

Hosted by the South Region

In a rapidly changing world of work where universities can be seen as too slow to change or (worse) outdated, how can professional and online education demonstrate through small, intentional steps the significant value higher education continues to offer to industry? We invite you to share and explore the “small wins” — such as program tweaks, new partnerships, course innovations, or process adjustments — that help institutions stay responsive to evolving industry expectations and technologies. Together, we’ll discuss how incremental changes can build momentum toward stronger industry alignment and better learning opportunities for those we serve.

Click here to access the room at 12PM on February 10 or download our calendar invite below.

Click here to download a calendar invite

February 11, 2026 | 1:00 PM-2:00 PM ET

Webinar | The Retention Disconnect: What Adult Learners Need — and What Institutions Miss

Hosted by Collegis Education

New research from UPCEA and Collegis Education reveals a growing misalignment between how institutions approach retention and what adult learners actually need to succeed. While many institutions are investing in retention, strategies still over-rely on structured oversight and under-deliver on the flexibility, visibility, and autonomy adult online learners say they need most.

What you’ll learn:

Why nearly half of institutional leaders can’t report their online retention rate — and why that matters
The disconnect between staff-led interventions and student-preferred tools like dashboards and self-service
How to shift from compliance-based models to empowerment-driven support
The importance of segmentation based on life stage, not just demographics
Three strategic shifts institutions can act on now

Who should attend:

This session is ideal for higher ed leaders focused on student success, enrollment, and retention strategy, including:

Academic leadership (CAOs, provosts)
Enrollment and student affairs leaders
Online and adult learner program managers
Institutional researchers and data strategists
IT decision-makers
Presidents, CFOs, and strategic planning teams

If you’re working to improve outcomes for adult online learners or reduce attrition, this webinar is for you.

Presenters:

Dr. Tracy Chapman, Collegis Education
Emily West, UPCEA

February 18, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM ET

Webinar | Planning, Tracking, Delivering: Project Management for Instructional Designers

Hosted by eDesign Collaborative Network

Instructional designers juggle timelines, tools, stakeholders, and shifting priorities—often all at once. Strong project management turns that complexity into clarity. In this webinar, presenters will share strategies for managing complex projects, coordinating multiple stakeholders, and delivering high-quality courses at scale. Presenters will explore how historical data can inform capacity planning, how project management tools support course and media production workflows, and how practices such as clear documentation, project charters, and intentional communication reduce friction and improve outcomes.

Presenters:

Ryan Anderson, Senior Director of Instructional Design & Media, Universities of Wisconsin
Courtney Hebert, Assistant Director, Design Optimization & Project Management, Louisiana State University
Andrea Hixson, Instructional Designer, Purdue University

February 18, 2026 | 3:00 PM-4:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | Engagement and Collaboration that Strengthen Communities

Hosted by the Community and Economic Engagement Network

Join us for an informal, unrecorded UPCEA CEE Network coffee chat on Engagement and Collaboration that Strengthen Communities, focused on the challenges and opportunities of building a strategic engagement action plan for professional and online continuing education units. We’ll map the life cycle of strategic engagement (pre-, active-, and post-engagement) with most of our time devoted to pre-engagement strategies: clarifying your unit’s value proposition, assessing capacity and readiness to deliver, and positioning for partnership with industry, government, and community organizations.

We’ll also unpack why engagement cannot be limited to program pitching alone, effective units show up as problem-solvers, invest in understanding partner needs, and align commitments to capability to avoid reputational risk. Come ready to share what’s working, what’s hard, and practical ways to move from transactional requests to durable, trust-based collaboration. Yvonne Kinley, Director of Business Development and Innovation at the University of Manitoba, will join the conversation, bringing over 20 years of experience working with industry and government on workforce and economic development initiatives.

Click here to access the room at 3PM on February 18 or download our calendar invite below.

Click here to download a calendar invite

March 5, 2026 | 12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | Spotlight on Impact: Honoring Our Mid-Atlantic Regional Award Nominees

Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Region

This Mid-Atlantic Coffee Chat shines a spotlight on the remarkable programs nominated for this year’s Regional Award. Together, we’ll celebrate the work, ideas, and dedication that strengthen our community while recognizing excellence across the region. Grab a cup of coffee and join colleagues from the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Click here to access the room at 12PM on March 5 or download our calendar invite below.

Click here to download a calendar invite

March 10, 2026 | 2:00 PM-3:00 PM ET

Coffee Chat | Innovations and Disruptions in Graduate Education

Hosted by the Graduate Network

Join us for a casual conversation about the innovations and disruptions impacting graduate education, such as Grad Plus Loan caps and AI adoption. Colleagues will discuss how they are navigating these challenges and what solutions they are exploring.

Hosted by the Graduate Network, UPCEA Coffee Chats are informal, unrecorded, live opportunities to connect with peers. Typically an hour or less, they provide time to discuss topics of interest, share ideas and connect with others in a casual setting.

Click here to access the room at 2PM on March 10 or download our calendar invite below.

Click here to download a calendar invite

Click here to view past webinar recordings