Archives: Events

Making the Most of the PLA Boost. Now that we have the new research findings on PLA, how can we make the most of them?

Post author By Colleen Falkenstern
Post date October 14, 2020

Brand new research findings from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and WICHE suggest that policies and practices that support prior learning assessment (PLA) have the potential to create more efficient pathways for mobility and increase student success—especially for adults. Join CAEL, WICHE, and several of the participating institutions in a discussion on the implications of the findings, and how to use the findings to advocate for changes in PLA policies and practices at your institution.

CAEL’s 2020 conference is taking place virtually on November 4-6 this year and is free for CAEL members and $180 for non-members.

Prior Learning Assessment: the Impact for Today’s Students and the Importance for Tomorrow’s

Post author By Colleen Falkenstern
Post date October 14, 2020

WICHE has partnered with several national organizations to conduct a landscape analysis on prior learning. Join WICHE, NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, SUNY-Empire State College, and the Center for Law and Social Policy at CAEL’s 2020 virtual conference to discuss their landscape analysis findings on issues related to the practice of the recognition of prior learning, policies that encourage or limit its adoption, and key research needs and future directions for the field.

CAEL’s 2020 conference is taking place virtually on November 4-6 this year and is free for CAEL members and $180 for non-members.

The PLA Boost: Results from a 72-Institution Targeted Study of Prior Learning Assessment and Adult Student Outcomes

Post author By Colleen Falkenstern
Post date September 29, 2020

New research findings from the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and WICHE suggest that policies and practices that support prior learning assessment (PLA) have the potential to create more efficient pathways for mobility and increase student success—especially for adults. CAEL and WICHE collaborated with administrators, staff, and students from more than 70 institutions to conduct original research on the impact of current PLA policies and practices on adult student outcomes. Join us to learn about our key findings and to discuss the role institution staff and policy makers can play in student success by helping shape and implement PLA policy and practice.

Register for the Webinar here.

To learn more about WICHE’s Recognition of Learning initiative, click here. 

What Matters is What You Know, Not How You Learned It: Sharing Research Findings on the Impact of Prior Learning Assessment

Post author By Colleen Falkenstern
Post date September 29, 2020

Join WICHE and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning at the ASU/GSV Summit (free and open to the public; register below) for a presentation and discussion on soon-to-be-released findings from our original research on the impact of prior learning assessment (PLA) on adult student outcomes, in partnership with 72 colleges and universities. The findings suggest potential for PLA to be a game-changer in credential completion that could lead to individual economic mobility and equity.

This presentation will highlight many of the findings that were shared in this June research brief.

To learn more about WICHE’s Recognition of Learning initiative, click here. 

Keeping an Eye on the Prize: Equity and Inclusion During COVID

Post author By jberg
Post date September 14, 2020

Diversity, inclusion, and equity is a goal for leaders across higher education. This session explores how COVID-19 has created additional challenges for leaders as they strive to create more inclusive campuses.  Panelists will discuss how COVID-19 has impacted different groups with a focus on our indigenous communities and breakout sessions will offer participants opportunities to share ideas for how to ensure we can continue to recruit and retain faculty of color and their pathways to promotion, how leaders can encourage culturally responsive pedagogy and how we can continue to support free speech in a time of social and political unrest and racial violence. This is an opportunity to learn from one another and our indigenous leaders in higher education. This virtual meeting is open to Forum and Alliance members and their select staff.

For more information regarding this virtual meeting series, visit here. Check back later for registration details.

Campus and Community Collaborating on COVID-19

Post author By jberg
Post date September 14, 2020

The impact of COVID on higher education and the surrounding communities has yet to be fully realized. The speakers on this panel will discuss the challenges of navigating the intersection of science and policy during a pandemic and provide insights on moving forward in the COVID era. This virtual meeting is open to Forum and Alliance members and their select staff.

Register today to attend.

Long-Term Crisis Management: Strategies for Supporting Faculty and Staff Mental Health

Post author By Demaree Michelau
Post date August 26, 2020

A recent American Council on Education survey highlighted that 96% of Presidents agree that there will be high demand for mental health and support needs this coming fall. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, in partnership with WICHE, brings you two experts in the field of mental health for a discussion on Long Term Crisis Management: Strategies for Supporting Faculty and Staff Mental Health. Dr. Andrew McLean and Dr. Liza Tupa will share how to build resilient communities, how campus leadership can help provide support and balance during times of sustained crisis, and how institutions can be a resource for bringing people together.

Register today for this event on September 11 at Noon PDT / 1:00 PM MDT / 2:00 PM CDT / 3:00 PM EDT. 

OER Challenges and Opportunities

Post author By jberg
Post date August 24, 2020

With expert panelists Elaine Thornton, Will Cross, and Jennryn Wetzler, we will explore a variety of topics related to Open Educational Resources for the Fall term, including 1) OER and distance education; 2) guidance on where to find quality OER materials; and 3) inclusivity and diversity resources in OER.

Register today for “OER Challenges and Opportunities” on September 24 at 11:00 AM PDT / Noon MDT / 1:00 PM CDT / 2:00 PM EDT. 

Back to Basics Workshop 2020

Post author By Ashley Woods
Post date August 24, 2020

Do you manage state authorization compliance at your institution? ….OR are you in another institution office such as financial aid, registrar, faculty, institutional research, or legal counsel and required to follow new processes to adapt to state and federal regulatory requirements due to the out of state activities of the institution? Do you need help navigating the basic foundation of state authorization compliance of state regulations, federal updates, reciprocity requirements, and the seemingly endless paperwork involved? If so, the WCET/SAN State Authorization Basics Compliance Workshop may be the answer! For more information, please visit https://wcetsan.wiche.edu/events/back-basics-workshop-2020.

Please note that if you have an understanding of the basics of state authorization you may wish to wait for the SAN Advanced Topics Workshop coming in Fall 2020. Details TBA.

Narrowing the Digital Divide: Pragmatic and Student-Centered Approaches

Post author By Rosa Calabrese
Post date August 24, 2020

WCET is hosting a webcast discussion on the digital and technology divide many students are facing, as well as policies and strategies to address the issue, including: the status of national broadband efforts and net neutrality; CARES Act; creative solutions for providing access to critical technology including laptops and Wi-Fi; and innovative approaches to serving geographically rural and urban students.

Register today for “Narrowing the Digital Divide: Pragmatic and Student-Centered Approaches” on September 15 at 11:00 AM PDT / Noon MDT / 1:00 PM CDT / 2:00 PM EDT.