Digital Learning Summit 2023

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board hosted the 2nd annual Digital Learning Summit on September 12 and 13.

Summit Overview

The 2023 Summit was an opportunity for statewide discussions on credentials of value, strategic implementation of micro-credentials, innovation in digital resources and pedagogy, and workforce collaboration. Speakers and participants shared their experiences in panel discussions, presentations, workshops, and networking sessions.

The work of the Micro-Credentials Learning Network (MLN) was highlighted at this year’s Summit. Launched in June 2023, the MLN is a peer-led learning network that leveraged the expertise of Texas institutions to guide strategic development of new high-value, industry-aligned micro-credentials at participating community colleges.

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Session Recordings - Coming Soon!

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

  • Bridging the Gap: Where Micro-credentials Fit within the Rapidly Evolving Educational Landscape: Keynote Session: Robert Bajor, Founder and CEO, Micro-credential Multiverse

  • Google Career Certificates in Action: Dallas College as a Case Study: Devon Kodzis, Dean, Academic Incubator, Dallas College and Rob Magliaro, Education Lead, Grow with Google

  • Solving the Teacher Talent Crisis through Micro-Credentials: Michael Webster, Associate Vice Chancellor of Workforce Instruction, Houston Community College 

  • The Value of Micro-Credentials in Building a Talent Strong Texas: David Troutman, Deputy Commissioner, Academic Affairs, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

  • Utilizing Micro-Credentials for Regional Resiliency: Thom Ronk, Associate Vice Chancellor, Workforce Program Research and Development, Houston Community College

  • Accelerating Innovation: Grant Opportunities in FY2024: Tina Jackson, Assistant Commissioner for Workforce Education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Sheri Ranis, Director for Workforce Education and Innovation, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

  • All Aboard! Winning Buy-In Across College Divisions for New Micro-Credentials: Devon Kodzis, Dean, Academic Incubator, Dallas College

  • Building a Catalog of Micro-Credentials: Lessons Learned and Actionable Examples: Debbie Cavalier, Senior VP for Pre-College, Online, and Professional Programs, Berklee Online

  • Developing and Sustaining Credential-Based Industry Partnerships: Michael Monticino, Director and Professor, University of North Texas

  • Your Micro-Credential Infrastructure: From Registration to Data Tracking: Krista Watts, Director of Strategic Planning in Digital Strategy and Innovation, University of North Texas and Sam Nikolai, DSI Enterprise, Division of Digital Strategy and Innovation, University of North Texas

  • On the Record: Prior Learning Assessment and Micro-Credentials: Shelly Mencacci, Senior Manager and Faculty of Alternative Credit Programs, Dallas College

  • Re-Engaging the Degree-Seeking Learner Through Stackable and Micro-Credentials: Jim Fong, Director, Research and Consulting, UPCEA

  • Statewide Resources from the THECB Division of Digital Learning: Kylah Torre, Senior Director, Division of Digital Learning, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

 

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

  • Keynote Session: Philipp Schmidt, Axim Collaborative
  • Bring it to the Blackboard: Using Grow with Google in the Classroom: Belicia Miraval-Albornoz, Faculty, School of Engineering, Technology, Mathematics and Sciences, Dallas College
  • Building a Stable Portfolio Strategy from Micro-Credentials to Degrees: Brooke Elliot, Executive Associate Dean and EY Distinguished Professor in Accounting, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business and Amanda Brantner, Director of Content and Educational Portfolio Strategy for Academic Programs, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Gies College of Business
  • Micro-Credentials Learning Network Speed Sessions: Kevin Morris, Dean of Business and Technology, San Jacinto College, Christi Esquivel, Division Chair, Business Programs, McLennan Community College, DeDe Griffith, Vice President of Workforce Development, Temple College, Miles Young, Dean of Workforce Education, Northeast Texas Community College, Tekuani M. Perez, Department Director, Computer Sciences & Technology, Laredo College, Treva Askey, Special Projects Coordinator, Temple College and Heriberto H. Hernandez, Dean of Workforce Education, Laredo College
  • Texas Credentials for the Future Initiative: Shifting Toward Scale: Kelvin Bentley, Program Manager, Texas Credentials for the Future, The University of Texas System
  • Building AI Into Your Micro-Credentials: Ruthanne Thompson, Associate Vice President in the Division of Digital Strategy and Innovation, and Executive Director, University of North Texas and Tania Heap, Director of Learning Research and Accessibility, Center for Learning Experimentation, University of North Texas
  • Delivering Micro credentials of Value in the Undergraduate Experience: Poonam Kumar, Associate Provost for Online and Continuing Education, The University of Texas at Tyler, Amber Smallwood, Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Planning and Policy and Professor of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Arlington, Robin Macaluso, Faculty Fellow for Power Up + Tech Up and Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Arlington and Rachel Herod, Senior Lecturer of Art and Art History, The University of Texas at Arlington
  • Jobs For The Future and Micro-Credential Expansion Across America: Haley Press, Manager, Solutions Design and Delivery, Jobs for the Future and Taylor Sprague, Senior Manager, Jobs for the Future
  • Micro-Credential Strategies in Higher Education: Lesley Voigt, Director, Digital Credentials Institute, Madison College
  • Coursera Career Academy: What Does It Have to Offer?: Kimberley Poelman, Senior Director, Business Strategy - University Markets, Coursera
  • Launching a Sustainable Micro credential Array: Phyllis King, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Laura Pedrick, Special Assistant to the Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director, UWM Online, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
  • Letting Innovation Breathe while Standardizing for Scale: Luke Dowden, Chief Online Learning Officer, Alamo Colleges District and Amber O’Casey, Online Learning Coordinator, Alamo Colleges District
  • Putting Curriculum to Work for Students: Marketable Skills at Dallas College: Sharon Manna, Faculty Fellow, Dallas College
  • Micro-Credentials Ecosystem Panel Discussion: Linda Smarzik, Dean, Digital Fluency and Innovation, Austin Community College District, Peter Beard, Senior Vice President, Regional Workforce Development, Greater Houston Partnership, Karina Hernandez, Associate Dean, Digital Fluency and Innovation, Austin Community College District and Sofia Cavenaile, Psychology, Politics and Law Student. The University of Texas at San Antonio