Alliance Annual Meeting

The Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders (Alliance) is a membership organization that serves as an incubator for collaborating and problem-solving among chief academic officers (or equivalent) at WICHE-region community colleges and technical schools, related systems, and state coordinating and governing boards. 

This is an annual face-to-face meeting for senior academic leaders in this membership organization.

Forum Annual Meeting

The Western Academic Leadership Forum (Forum) is a membership organization that serves as a collaborative network to exchange ideas and information, share resources and expertise among provosts, academic vice presidents, chief executives, and chief academic officers at WICHE-region public and private doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s level institutions and related systems offices and state agencies.

This is an annual face-to-face meeting convening senior academic leaders in this membership organization.

Mental Health on College Campuses During a Pandemic

The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) is pairing with Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) to present a webinar about mental health on college campuses before and after COVID-19.

This webinar will feature two panels: New England college students and leaders of exemplary Active Minds chapters, and New England college campus counselors and behavioral health experts. To introduce the panels, NEBHE and WICHE will provide an overview of relevant data and findings about student mental health in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The State of the Skills Gap: Connecting Education with Career Outcomes

The challenge of the skills gap continues to be a priority for higher education and employers alike. Join WCET as we bring together a panel of thought leaders from George Mason University, the Office of Workforce Development for the State of Missouri, and Wiley Education Services to discuss the current state of the skills gap, the paramount role education plays in closing it, and the value partnerships bring as we work toward closing it together.

Additionally, educators and administrators will be treated to insights from the recent Reimagining the Workforce 2021: Closing the Skills Gap Through Education report. This report highlights responses from a survey of over 600 HR and Learning and Development leaders across a variety of industries. Topics include how the business community values traditional degrees and certifications, the perceived life span of skills, and in-demand skills to consider.

Register today for “The State of the Skills Gap: Connecting Education with Career Outcomes” on May 25 at 11:00 AM PDT / Noon MDT / 1:00 PM CDT / 2:00 PM EDT. WCET webcasts take place via Zoom.

The “DETA” Behind Inclusive EdTech Practices: A Research Review from DETA and WCET

WCET partnered with the National Research Center for Distance Education and Technological Advancements (DETA) to conduct a review equity-focused research in digital learning. This compilation is meant to inform higher education leaders and administrators about recent and relevant evidence-based practices in using educational technologies, especially in improving education for Black, Indigenous, and LatinX students. Understanding the research helps in understanding instructional and service techniques that can be replicated and scaled across postsecondary education in the U.S. to create equitable and inclusive learning experiences. WCET and DETA will share the lessons learned in this review and the hopes for additional research needed to better guide institutional leaders in improving their practices.

Technology-Enabled Alternative Assessment: What It Looks Like and How to Bring It to Your Institution

Hosted in partnership with the Advanced Learning Technologies Lab.

As a follow up to the March 23 WCET webcast, Alternative Assessments in Digital Learning in Higher Education: Global Perspectives, WCET and University of Toronto’s Advanced Learning Technologies Lab bring back Professor Steve Joordens who will demonstrate how peerScholar manages alternative assessment across a range of pedagogical contexts including group work.

Attendees will leave the session with:

  • a very clear sense of what alternative assessment looks like,
  • how it plays out for the student,
  • how it lives up to its pedagogical promise,
  • and how easily it can be integrated into your institution to optimize the future success of your students.

WCET members will receive access to a Closer Look guide on Alternative Assessments in April and have the opportunity to connect with Professor Joordens in wcetMIX in our new Ask the Expert community.

Alternative Assessments in Digital Learning in Higher Education: Global Perspectives

Hosted in partnership with OneHE.

Remote learning highlighted some of the challenges associated with assessments via online learning. Proctoring, identity verification, and other means of authenticating the learner taking the test present challenges, including costs and privacy concerns.

Alternatives to traditional assessments help demonstrate what students can do over what they know or have memorized. According to Brigham Young University, “…an alternative assessment measures applied proficiency more than it measures knowledge. Typical examples of alternative assessments include portfolios, project work, and other activities requiring some type of rubric.”

Alternative assessments can reduce privacy and security concerns and showcase student’s competencies and proficiency.

Join our panelists for global perspectives on how to effectively use alternative assessments including:

  • Advantages and disadvantages including cost and workload.
  • Self and peer assessments.
  • Role of edtech.
  • Student perceptions.
  • Links between faculty evaluation and student motivation.

WCET members will receive access to a Closer Look guide on Alternative Assessments in March. The guide will include accessibility and diversity, access, and inclusion considerations.

Register today for “Alternative Assessments in Digital Learning in Higher Education: Global Perspectives” on March 23 at 1:00 PM PDT / 2:00 PM MDT / 3:00 CDT / 4:00 PM EDT. WCET webcasts take place via Zoom.

WCET & SAN Member Virtual Policy Series

A complimentary series of webinars for WCET and SAN Members

Join WCET’s policy experts the third Wednesday of March, April, and May for a deeper dive into the hot policy topics facing institutions today. The sessions will take place in Zoom webinar and attendees will have ample time to ask questions. Open to current WCET and SAN members.

Register for the free Policy Series which will take place at 10:00 AM PDT / 11:00 AM MDT / Noon CDT / 1:00 PM EDT. You can register for one or all topics; you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link once your registration is approved. Events take place on March 17, April 21, and May 19.

Live captioning is provided by our sponsor, VITAC. The webcast will be recorded and available to WCET and SAN members.

A WCET Closer Conversation: Mentoring Women in Digital Learning

Mentoring is essential to our growth as leaders and professionals. How can we leverage the WCET community to create connections and support women in higher education digital learning to grow and thrive? How has the global pandemic and the prevalence of video platforms changed how we lead, and what opportunities do these tools provide for mentoring women in digital learning? Bring your stories and experiences and join our discussion leads for a Closer Conversation on the topic of mentoring women in digital learning.

Register today for “Mentoring Women in Digital Learning” on March 26 at 12:00 PM PDT / 1:00 PM MDT / 2:00 PM CDT / 3:00 PM EDT.

Registration is free and open to current WCET and SAN members. WCET Closer Conversations take place via Zoom Meeting, and all participants are invited to interact via video and or chat. The audience size is limited to 50 participants; you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link once your registration is approved.

Live captioning is provided by our sponsor, VITAC. The conversation will be recorded and available to members.

WCET Virtual Summit

Join WCET for a virtual Summit miniseries on key topics that will influence the work you and your colleagues do at your institution throughout 2021. Dropping the first Tuesday in April and May, the must-see Live Summit TV sessions will cover a range of topics.

April 6 – The EdTech Gambit: What have we learned from edtech adoption and implementation over the past year and what best practices have emerged? Topics will include accessibility, privacy and security, asynchronous learning technologies, LMS adoption, and the nuts and bolts of technology adoption. I think that’s it.

May 4 – Brave New World: What is in store for a post-covid academia? Enrollment trends and changing demographics of learners, budget implications, staffing challenges and opportunities in a remote environment, and student support. Daydream.

Registration covers the complete miniseries; registered attendees can watch the series live or stream recordings later. Each episode will include elements of drama, suspense, comedy, and clarity. The Leadership Summit Series will help you and your team sort through the static and provide the greatest hits of what is essential for digital learning in 2021.