Higher Education Associations Partner for 2025 Conference on Credential Innovation Amid Policy Shifts
UPCEA and AACRAO are co-hosting Convergence 2025 to address the critical need for alternative credential strategies in higher education as institutions navigate changing federal policies and workforce demands.
UPCEA, the online and professional education association, and AACRAO, a non-profit organization supporting higher education professionals, are partnering to present Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education from September 29 to October 1, 2025, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. This conference comes at a pivotal moment as federal higher education policy undergoes significant transition, including recent expansions of Pell Grants to support short-term, career-focused training programs.
The event will convene campus leaders and stakeholders from across academia to examine emerging credential models, share best practices, and develop institutional strategies. With higher education facing a changing regulatory landscape, the conference provides a timely forum for institutional leaders to align their approaches with emerging federal priorities. The gathering takes place in the Washington DC metropolitan area, positioning participants near where critical policy decisions are made.
Credential innovation represents one of the most pressing priorities facing higher education today, according to Robert Hansen, CEO of UPCEA. The conference serves as a unique platform for professionals from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and drive progress in the evolving credential innovation landscape. Through interactive workshops, collaborative roundtables, and peer-led sessions, Convergence 2025 promises to engage attendees in dynamic experiences that inform, inspire, and empower institutional transformation.
The conference will feature the release of UPCEA's latest Advocacy Committee deliverable, "The Future is Now: Essential Conversations for Building Tomorrow's University Today." Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director of AACRAO, emphasized that embracing new credential approaches allows higher education to strategically respond to workforce needs and demonstrate clear institutional return on investment. This alignment is particularly critical given challenging demographics and shifting public expectations regarding educational outcomes and career preparation.
For registration and additional details, visit https://upcea.edu/convergence. The event captures momentum from a rapidly developing movement that is redefining how learning is recognized and valued across higher education institutions.