UPCEA Intros Digital Badges for Excellence in Online Learning

The University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) has launched a program to recognize excellence in online higher education: the Hallmarks of Excellence in Online Leadership Review. The program evaluates online education programs based on seven key elements, such as internal advocacy, entrepreneurial initiative and faculty support, and then issues Credly digital badges to qualifying colleges and universities.

"In order to keep pace with rapid changes in technology and resulting in-demand skills, learners need access to education. To meet this need, it is more important than ever that institutions provide quality online education programs," said Julie Uranis, vice president for online and strategic initiatives, UPCEA, and managing director, National Council for Online Education, in a statement. "With the launch of our Hallmarks of Excellence in Online Leadership Review program, UPCEA is committing to working closely with institutions to identify and recognize high-quality online offerings, and partnering with Credly extends that commitment in the way we publicly acknowledge institutions that demonstrate excellence through the review process."

The first institution to earn the Hallmarks of Excellence in Online Leadership Review badge is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Commented Jason Ruckert, vice chancellor of online education at the institution's Worldwide Campus, "The UPCEA Hallmarks of Excellence in Online Leadership Review was an incredibly valuable, comprehensive, and robust process that all institutions aspiring to take their online education units to the next level should seriously consider undertaking. From the self-assessment submission to the personalized committee interviews, the information gleaned was invaluable. We're very proud to be the first to successfully complete the review process, receive our badge, and have the hard work of our faculty and administrators be recognized."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • laptop displaying a phishing email icon inside a browser window on the screen

    Phishing Campaign Targets ED Grant Portal

    Threat researchers at cybersecurity company BforeAI have identified a phishing campaign spoofing the U.S. Department of Education's G5 grant management portal.

  • multiple computer monitors connected by glowing blue lines in a network grid

    Gartner Forecasts Increased Spending on Desktop as a Service as Cost Optimization, Sustainability Drive Adoption

    Gartner's 2025 Magic Quadrant for Desktop as a Service reveals that while secure remote access remains a key driver of DaaS adoption, a growing number of deployments now focus on broader efficiency goals.

  • stylized figures, resumes, a graduation cap, and a laptop interconnected with geometric shapes

    OpenAI to Launch AI-Powered Jobs Platform

    OpenAI announced it will launch an AI-powered hiring platform by mid-2026, directly competing with LinkedIn and Indeed in the professional networking and recruitment space. The company announced the initiative alongside an expanded certification program designed to verify AI skills for job seekers.

  • young man in a denim jacket scans his phone at a card reader outside a modern glass building

    Colleges Roll Out Mobile Credential Technology

    Allegion US has announced a partnership with Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and Denison College, in conjunction with Transact + CBORD, to install mobile credential technologies campuswide. Implementing Mobile Student ID into Apple Wallet and Google Wallet will allow students access to campus facilities, amenities, and residence halls using just their phones.