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Tuesday, July 22
 

9:45am MDT

A Micro-credential Refresh: A customer value-based approach to building trust and clarity in micro-credentials
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
This presentation explores the development and evolution of micro-credentials at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT). It examines SAIT's journey from launching over 120 micro-credentials in 2021 to adopting a Product-led approach in response to market feedback. The study highlights SAIT's innovative strategies, including a classification system for different skill types and an assessment-first approach. These methods aim to create industry-aligned, customer-focused micro-credentials that effectively bridge skills gaps. A key innovation in our micro-credential definition and classification is the clear and direct connection made between skill attainment and validation and badging to prove such. SAIT's micro-credential governance requires that any badge issued for a micro-credential is based on a workplace authentic assessment that measures the skill identified through a robust assessment process that validates skill attainment through real world examples, scenarios, case studies, and workplace applications. The presentation also discusses the challenges faced, lessons learned, and the potential of micro-credentials in creating flexible learning pathways for reskilling and upskilling in the modern workforce.
Speakers
avatar for Michele Braun

Michele Braun

Project Coordinator, Continuing Education and Professional Studies, SAIT
Dr. Michele Braun has more than 20 years’ experience in learning and development, including program management and instructional design. She has worked in the public and private sector designing and delivering education and training programs with a passion for assessment and evaluation... Read More →
avatar for Lora Bucsis

Lora Bucsis

Director, Products and Learner Success, Continuing Education and Professional Studies, SAIT
Director, Product and Learner Success, Continuing Education and Professional Studies, leads a team of award-winning product managers, curriculum designers, and advisors responsible for SAIT’s Continuing Education and Professional Studies programs focused on supporting people in... Read More →
avatar for Matthew Hall

Matthew Hall

Manager, Product, Continuing Education and Professional Studies, SAIT
Hi, I'm Matthew. I lead the Product Strategy Team at SAIT, designing exceptional digital products for the Future of Work. As a consultant I worked extensively with universities, colleges and research institutes to build education ecosystems, to create process-driven learning design... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
UMC 247

9:45am MDT

Aligning Your Credentials to the TrustEd Credentials Framework
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
We have made great progress using digital credentials to meet the needs of today's students, expanding learning opportunities and facilitating their transition from education to employment. Our next goal is to improve the quality, transparency, and value of these credentials. This session will focus on how to create high-quality microcredentials, implement detailed metadata, promote stakeholder engagement, and ultimately ensure trust in the digital credentials ecosystem.
Speakers
avatar for Kelly Hoyland

Kelly Hoyland

Director, Postsecondary Education & Workforce Programs, 1EdTech Consortium
Kelly Hoyland serves as the director for postsecondary education and workforce programs at the non-profit 1EdTech Consortium, where she works with members to meet the challenges they face in the rapidly growing and evolving digital teaching and learning landscape. This includes working... Read More →
avatar for Collin Sullivan

Collin Sullivan

Coordinator of Digital Credentialing, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Collin Sullivan ’19, M.P.P. ’21 (he/him/his) is the Coordinator of Digital Credentialing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), reporting to the Vice President of Information Technology and Vice Provost for the Division of Professional Studies. In this role, Collin... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
UMC 386

9:45am MDT

Collaborating for a fairer, more inclusive, and transparent badge policy in organisations
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
The badge quality label is a solid starting point. Let's elevate it by focusing on fairness, inclusivity, and transparency in badges issued by organisations in the non-formal education field. Together, we can:
  • Explore ways to strengthen our quality label to better reflect these core values.
  • Discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating equitable, accessible, and transparent badge systems.
  • Develop actionable steps to implement these improvements.
Speakers
avatar for Sandra Zoomers

Sandra Zoomers

Coordinator of the Dutch Cities of Learning Network, Dutch Cities of Learning
We have established a solid foundation with our existing Quality Label for Badges Recognition. Now it's time to take the next step and focus on the core values of fairness, inclusivity, and transparency.Objective to take part in Badge Summit 2025:To deepen our understanding of how to leverage our Quality Label to better ensure these core values.To stimulate an open dialogue on... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
UMC 285+287 (Aspen)

9:45am MDT

Designing for All: Learner-Centricity, accessibility, UXR, and Inclusive Feedback Loops
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
How can we design better learning systems that are truly inclusive and centered around the needs of all learners? Join Brooke Lipsitz and Javier Motta-Mena as they explore what they’ve learned about user accessible design, experience research (UXR), feedback loops, and the power of learner advocacy, particularly in supporting neurodivergent students.
This session isn’t just about sharing insights—it’s about co-creating solutions. Through interactive discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to contribute their own experiences, challenges, and strategies for making learning environments more accessible and accommodating. Together, we’ll explore how we can better advocate for learners, improve systems with user-informed design, and build stronger networks of allies to ensure all students can thrive.


Key Takeaways:
  • Insights from user experience research on learner-centric design
  • The role of feedback loops in improving accessibility
  • Strategies for advocating and allying with neurodivergent learners
  • Opportunities for collaboration to enhance inclusive learning systems
Whether you're an educator, designer, administrator, or learner advocate, we welcome your voice in this exploratory conversation. Let’s work together to design with—not just for—our learners!
Speakers
avatar for Brooke Lipsitz

Brooke Lipsitz

TLN Program Manager, Arizona State University
Brooke Lipsitz currently serves as a Digital Innovation Program Manager and IT Product Manager within the Enterprise Technology department at Arizona State University (ASU). Brooke's commitment to advancing learner outcomes shines through in her role, where she actively contributes... Read More →
avatar for Javier Motta-Mena

Javier Motta-Mena

Digital Credential Specialist, Arizona State University
Javier serves as the Digital Credential Specialist for ASU, supporting a variety of initiatives across the university aimed at awarding recognition of skills and abilities for students, faculty, and staff. He is passionate about leveraging digital credentials to create and enhance... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
UMC 415+417

9:45am MDT

How to Compare Apples to Oranges: Assessing the Value of different Micro-Credentials
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
Have you ever wondered which badge is more valuable than the other? Explore a new, comprehensive framework for comparing individual micro-credentials – even if the learning goals are different!  This interactive session dives into stakeholder-centric evaluation, balancing perceived, revealed, and normative values. Participants will collaborate on challenges for micro-credential assessments and design strategies to demonstrate impact on student success and institutional goals.
Speakers
avatar for Samuel Abramovich

Samuel Abramovich

Associate Dean, University at Buffalo
Dr. Sam Abramovich is the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo, where he is also a Faculty Fellow for the Office of Micro-credentials. As Director of the UB Open Education Research Lab, his research explores the intersection... Read More →
avatar for Anne Reed

Anne Reed

Director of Micro-Credentials, University at Buffalo
Anne Reed is the founding director of the Office Micro-credentials at the University at Buffalo (UB). She developed a process to propose, review, implement, and scale new micro-credentials at the university. She has served on multiple national committees and advisory boards, including... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
CASE W262

9:45am MDT

LinkedCreds & Resume Author: Apps for Skills-based Hiring & Advancement
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
We will share progress on the T3 sponsored skills-based hiring applications for LinkedCreds & Resume Author. There are tools that help bridge the current state of the workforce ecosystem to a future decentralized LER VC state. LinkedCreds is a flexible tool that helps organizations, employees, & job seekers document & assert skills in a trusted way. Resume Author is a Proof of Concept application to demonstrate leveraging the HR Open Schema in support of job recruiting LER-RS hybrid future.
Speakers
avatar for Phillip Long

Phillip Long

CEO/Founder, RHz Consulting LLC
Phil is a consultant at the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation T3 Innovation Network assisting with digital credentialing, identity, & related standards. He’s also a Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for New Designs in Learning & Scholarship, an advisor to ASU’s... Read More →
avatar for Taylor Hansen

Taylor Hansen

Executive Director, T3 Innovation Network/US Chamber of Commerce Foundation
I am an experienced education and workforce policy and business development professional with over 16 years in the industry. I am passionate about the potential for education to be a key factor in creating social and economic equity. I am constantly seeking out new innovations and... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
CASE E422

9:45am MDT

Motivating and Rewarding Learners with Digital Credentials in the IBM Ecosystem
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
Digital credentials have become more than just badges—they are now critical tools for motivating learners, validating skills, and unlocking career opportunities. Within IBM’s global skilling initiatives, digital credentials serve as a bridge between learning and employability, empowering individuals with verifiable, industry-recognized proof of skills.
In this session, we will explore IBM’s best practices for using digital credentials to engage learners, improve retention, and drive meaningful career outcomes. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how organizations can implement high-impact credentialing strategies that foster motivation, engagement, and workforce readiness.
Key Takeaways:The Science of Motivation – How digital credentials act as motivators by tapping into intrinsic and extrinsic rewards.
Designing for Engagement – Best practices for structuring credentials to encourage continuous learning and skill stacking.
Connecting Credentials to Career Value – Ensuring digital credentials are recognized by employers and integrated into job pathways.
Leveraging AI & Data Insights – Using AI and analytics to personalize credentialing journeys and predict learner success.
Case Study: IBM’s Digital Credentialing Strategy – How IBM successfully scaled its SkillsBuild and enterprise learning programs using badges.

Speakers
CB

Caryn Buddie

IBM Digital Badge Program Manager, IBM
Caryn Buddie is a seasoned Learning and Development professional dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations through innovative educational strategies. With expertise in instructional design, program management, and digital credentialing, she has led initiatives that integrate... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
CASE E250 (CTL)

9:45am MDT

You are Here: A Low-Tech Roadmap for Navigating Modern Credentials
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
My 25+ year career in L&D—20 years of which were at a membership association—has allowed me to work from the crossroads of three major ecosystems: learning, credentialing, and human resources. As a senior strategist and learning architect, I have spent the past 3+ years bridging these three ecosystems for all types of institutions, including the DoD, associations, employers, and non-profits. My work is rooted in designing dynamic competency models and learner-centric credentialing solutions that facilitate skill portability across the talent pipeline (not just per credential). I see how associations and employers are the biggest players in the credentialing space because that’s where all learning is eventually applied and evaluated/assessed.
 
Having been a part of the badging community for the past couple of years, I understand the transformation taking place. The challenge is, a lot of what I’ve learned is focused on the ‘what’ and the ‘why.’ I need the ‘how.’ How do I help my clients who already have robust skill standards, bodies of knowledge, credentials, and digital badges make the transition, especially when it comes to technology considerations?
 
I’d love for this to be a working session to outline such a roadmap. (This work can eventually align with what Credential Engine and T3 already offer.) As an instructional designer by trade, I can support the development of such a product.
Speakers
avatar for Bobbi Vernon

Bobbi Vernon

Senior Director, Learning & Development, Global Skills X-Change (GSX)
Bobbi Vernon is the Senior Director of L&D at Global Skills X-Change. She is skilled in the development, delivery, administration, and accreditation of high-stakes certification programs and is a leading expert on assessment-based certificate programs. She chairs the Assessment-Based... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 9:45am - 10:30am MDT
CASE E351

11:00am MDT

AI and the Personalized Learning Revolution: Upskilling, Lifelong Learning, and Flexible Learning Pathways
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
Through trustworthy profiles called LifeGraphs, we can leverage data and AI to build trust in credentialing and badging systems within higher education. By creating a transparent and verifiable record of skills and achievements, we can ensure that learners are recognized for their competencies in a way that reflects the demands of the modern workforce. This evolution will allow for dynamic, personalized learning experiences that adapt and grow with us.
Speakers
avatar for Phil Komarny

Phil Komarny

Chief Innovation Officer, Maryville University
Phil Komarny is an award-winning senior executive, national thought leader, and Maryville University's chief innovation officer. He has been developing and motivating teams for more than 25 years and most recently served as vice-president of innovation at cloud-based software company... Read More →
avatar for Frank Ricotta

Frank Ricotta

CEO & Founder, BurstIQ
Frank Ricotta is a visionary leader and the CEO and co-founder of BurstIQ, a pioneering company that is revolutionizing person to AI to business engagement through innovative AI data management solutions. With over 30 years of experience, Frank has built a diverse background that... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
UMC 247

11:00am MDT

Badging the Gap: Why Work-Ready Skills Badges Go Unclaimed by Students and What We Can Do About It
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
Badging and digital credentials hold immense potential to validate work-ready skills and make them visible to employers. Yet, a surprising disconnect exists for students earning credentials for gig work through Work Simplr: for every badge earned, only a fraction are claimed or showcased by students. This session explores the reasons behind this gap, exploring whether students undervalue badges, lack awareness of their utility, or encounter barriers to leveraging them effectively. We’ll also examine whether employers recognize and prioritize work-ready badges when evaluating entry-level talent.


(NOTE: this session could be built to fit many of the formats above-- a TED style talk, a rapid fire, deep dive, or Dreammakers session. We are willing to build the session for the format CU Boulder thinks is best.)
Speakers
avatar for Rochelle Ramirez

Rochelle Ramirez

SVP Product, Accredible
Rochelle Ramirez is the Senior Vice President of Product at Accredible, the world's leading digital credential platform. Rochelle has helped hundreds of organizations achieve their credentialing goals through her strategic market thinking, execution, and leadership. In her various... Read More →
avatar for Jodi McPherson

Jodi McPherson

CEO, Work Simplr
Jodi McPherson is a visionary and experienced leader in the ed tech and talent sourcing space, with over 25 years of building and launching innovative SaaS business models. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Work Simplr, she has created a next-generation freelance platform that connects... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
UMC 285+287 (Aspen)
  Deep Dive
  • global Y

11:00am MDT

Do Employers Like These Things? Assessing How Much More Employable Skill Certificates Make Our Students
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
We all think credentials are awesome. What do employers think? In the last two years, CU Boulder launched Google Career Certificates. Students love them! They say these certificates expand their skillsets, unlock ideas, and strengthen their resumes. But a big question remaining is, are students more employable with a certificate? We will survey our spring 2025 employers to get the answer. Let’s discuss what we find and what you’re seeing in similar credentialing.
Speakers
avatar for Dylan Mark

Dylan Mark

Assistant Director for Professional Experiences, University of Colorado Boulder, Career Services
Dylan Mark is the Assistant Director for Professional Experiences in Career Services at CU Boulder. He focuses on broadening opportunities for practical work-based learning for students at every stage in their academic journey. He graduated from CU Boulder with a degree in Sociology... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
UMC 382+384
  Deep Dive
  • global Y

11:00am MDT

Dynamic Roleplay Simulation for Validating Durable Skills
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
Roleplay simulation is a proven method for providing learners opportunities to practice and demonstrate skills. The addition of AI turns these into “Dynamic Roleplay Simulations” which allow learners to interact and demonstrate their skills more authentically. This session will show an example of this applied to durable skills assessment. Learners speak with their virtual colleagues, analyze information, and decide what to do in challenges that require them to apply their durable skills. We will also show how this method applies to other skill areas. Bonus: this experience was also created by AI!
Speakers
avatar for David McCool

David McCool

President & CEO, Muzzy Lane
Dave McCool is the President & CEO of Muzzy Lane. We provide a range of simulation solutions for education and training, utilizing a roleplay format enhanced by AI to provide high quality, flexible, and cost-effective learning and assessment simulations. Our solutions include authoring... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
UMC 415+417
  Deep Dive
  • global Y

11:00am MDT

Empowering Early Learning Communities: Digital Badging and Literacy for Families and Educators
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
Speakers
avatar for Dr Julie Keane

Dr Julie Keane

Chief Learning Officer, Participate, Inc.
I am the Chief Learning Officer at Participate. I lead business development, research, and evaluation of Participate's platform and services and support partner organizations' online community of practice design. I have been an educator technology researcher for more than 25 year... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
UMC 386

11:00am MDT

Infuse: Empowering Institutions, Enabling Learners
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
The Infuse initiative is a collaborative public purpose project designed to democratize access to innovative digital credentials in higher education, particularly supporting institutions and learners with limited resources. It aims to provide an initial, foundational learning and employment record (LER) for millions of learners, giving them a starting point in the world of structured, interoperable digital credentials. Additionally, the project seeks to create an interoperable shared infrastructure that provides access and value to all, while respecting the role of vendors and creating a larger market for them. The process involves converting legacy academic credentials and related data into structured digital credentials via multiple pathways using AI to enrich and infer skills level information, validating the result, verifying the resulting credential(s), and enabling learner access and agency to/over them. This session will explore the concept of Infuse and its current status. 
Speakers
avatar for Mark McConahay

Mark McConahay

Senior Consultant, Innovative Credentials Coordinator, AACRAO
Mark McConahay, M.S.E.S., currently serves AACRAO in the role of Innovative Credentials Coordinator.  Previously, he worked for Indiana University as the associate registrar of systems for many years before becoming the associate vice provost and registrar. McConahay’s history... Read More →
avatar for Michelle Mott

Michelle Mott

Consultant, Innovative Credentials Project Manager, AACRAO
Michelle Mott currently serves AACRAO as a consultant providing project management support to the association's innovative credential projects and initiatives. She also works as a communications consultant for Sova and manages individual projects as an independent contractor. With... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
CASE W262

11:00am MDT

Making the Case: If not now, then when?
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
At Virginia Tech, we have been creating a community of practice for nonclassroom credentialing for students.  One of our next challenges will be to take the activities of the relatively small community and expand the effort across campus to a variety of nonclassroom contexts.  


In this session, we will explore our approach to this important question of value of badging, as well as opening it up to the experiences and ideas of the audience.
Speakers
avatar for Holly Zanville

Holly Zanville

Founder/Lead, Learn & Work Ecosystem Library
avatar for Amanda MacDonald

Amanda MacDonald

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Research Services Initiatives for University Libraries, Virginia Tech
Amanda B. MacDonald is an Associate Professor and the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Research Services Initiatives for University Libraries at Virginia Tech. Amanda is the faculty lead for a university-wide initiative on digital credentialing. She serves as the liaison to the... Read More →
avatar for Marc Zaldivar

Marc Zaldivar

Director, TLOS Professional Developmetn Network, Virginia Tech
I taught English courses for 10 years, and also worked simultaneously in the Writing Center, culminating in 2 years as the Director of the Virginia Tech Writing Center. As I began my Ph.D. program, I soon began working in what was Learning Technologies at the time, supporting what... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
CASE E250 (CTL)

11:00am MDT

Navigating the Messy Middle: Overcoming Challenges in Digital Credential Innovation
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
Innovation in digital credentials, such as badges, often gets stuck in the "messy middle" — where bold ideas meet real-world constraints. This session explores practical strategies for bridging the gap between visionary plans and sustainable implementation. Drawing on global insights and case studies, we’ll examine how to balance stakeholder expectations, technical challenges, and policy barriers while maintaining momentum.
Speakers
avatar for Wendy Palmer

Wendy Palmer

Director, Lifelong Learning Practice
Wendy Palmer is a leading expert in microcredentials, short-form learning, and professional education, with over 30 years of experience shaping innovative learning strategies across higher education and industry. She works with education providers, businesses, and government to design... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
CASE E422

11:00am MDT

The Road to Equity - How LERs Democratize Talent Visibility
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
The workforce of the future will rely on talent that is quantifiable and verifiable for everyone, not just a select few. Discover how LERs drive equity by empowering individuals to own, showcase, and leverage their skills and experiences. This session explores TalentPass as a case study, highlighting its role in supporting underrepresented learners and workers. Engage in dynamic activities to identify equity barriers and design solutions that foster inclusion in education and the workforce.
Speakers
avatar for Beth Ardner

Beth Ardner

VP of Growth, Gobekli
Beth Ardner leads the growth efforts at Gobekli, building partnerships with governments, schools, employers and a host of supporting partners, pulling from two decades of edtech sales and product leadership.
Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:00am - 11:45am MDT
CASE E351

2:15pm MDT

Bridging the Gap - Non-Credit to Credit Integration at Post-Secondary Educational Institutions
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
In an evolving educational landscape, non-credit to credit integration offers a promising pathway for lifelong learners, career changers, and professionals seeking upskilling. This session will provide a comprehensive approach to fostering non-credit to credit integration utilizing credit for prior learning and micro-credentials, with a focus on the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). The session will explore innovative strategies, share success stories and opportunities to provide actionable insights for educators, and administrators.


Speakers
MJ

Melissa Jimenez

Credit for Prior Learning Assessment Program Manager, Colorado Community College System
Melissa currently serves in a newly created role, Credit for Prior Learning Program Manager, with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). In this role she works with the 13 colleges to identify opportunities for credit for prior learning through industry recognized and micro-credentials... Read More →
avatar for Michael Macklin

Michael Macklin

Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Solutions, Colorado Community College System
Michael Macklin joined CCCS in 2018 and serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Workforce Solutions. In his role, he works to coordinate academic affairs and workforce development initiatives across CCCS, interfacing with state agencies, philanthropic organizations, colleges, and corporate partners. His current efforts are focused on the intersection of business and education, overseeing career-connected learning opportunities, apprenticeships, micro-credentials... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
UMC 382+384

2:15pm MDT

Credential Stanley: An Experiential Exploration of the LER Ecosystem
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
Inspired by the formats of Flat Stanley classroom projects for cultural exchange and traditional shadow puppet dinner theatre, this interactive session invites participants to explore the interconnected nature of the LER ecosystem by stepping into the shoes of various credentials to understand and experience the relationships along the lifetime of each credential.   


What does it look like when innovative credentials are operationalized? Who plays which roles and when do they play them? Where are there invisible interdependencies? How do these interactions shape our ecosystem?   


And what can you -- yes, you! -- do to be an active collaborator?   


Learning Objectives:   


LO1 Understand the Role of Stakeholders in the LER Ecosystem: Participants will gain a clear understanding of the various roles and responsibilities of stakeholders within the LER ecosystem, recognizing how their actions impact the broader network.  


LO2 Explore the Interconnectedness of the LER Ecosystem: Attendees will explore the journey of credentials through the ecosystem, identifying key interactions between different systems (e.g., employers, educational institutions) and how these relationships shape the effectiveness and value of LERs.  


LO3 Identify Actionable Steps to Enhance Ecosystem Collaboration: Participants will leave with practical strategies for leveraging their role in the ecosystem to foster collaboration, improve the flow of credentials, and contribute to a more cohesive and effective LER ecosystem.
Speakers
avatar for Brooke Lipsitz

Brooke Lipsitz

TLN Program Manager, Arizona State University
Brooke Lipsitz currently serves as a Digital Innovation Program Manager and IT Product Manager within the Enterprise Technology department at Arizona State University (ASU). Brooke's commitment to advancing learner outcomes shines through in her role, where she actively contributes... Read More →
avatar for Javier Motta-Mena

Javier Motta-Mena

Digital Credential Specialist, Arizona State University
Javier serves as the Digital Credential Specialist for ASU, supporting a variety of initiatives across the university aimed at awarding recognition of skills and abilities for students, faculty, and staff. He is passionate about leveraging digital credentials to create and enhance... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
UMC 247

2:15pm MDT

Data Driven Badges: Using LAiSER to Identify and Badge the Skills that Matter
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
“There are too many badges and many of them don't matter.” While this statement might seem counter to the prevailing logic in higher education, this is the feedback we receive in nearly every consultation with hiring employers. What these employers are looking for is skills and a way to verify that applicants have the skills they are looking for. Badges could be the solution employers are demanding, but we've put too much effort into creating badges and too little effort into aligning them with workforce needs.


Leveraging AI for Skills Extraction and Research (LAiSER) is an open-source project of the George Washington Institute of Public Policy (GWIPP) designed to help align skills in curricula with workforce demand. By applying LAiSER extraction tools we can create more meaningful badges that not only better align with workforce but also allow for interoperability amongst different employers and issuers using LAiSER’s skills mapping tools.


In this presentation we will focus on the promise of badges and the opportunity to create variable microcredentials linked to skills. Describing badges using skills not only creates an opportunity for embedding skills within the Open Badge 3.0 standard but also aligning individual badges to LAiSER’s skill maps to help build more robust microcredentials out of badges. LAiSER also has the benefit of making these badges interoperable with other standards, including non-standardized use cases such as job applications, allowing for customized skill assertations beyond Open Badges 3.0.


Our presentation will begin with a brief explanation of LAiSER and an update on the open-source tools available. We will then walk through a demonstration of how to create a badge using LAiSER in the Open Badge Standard (3.0) by taking advantage of the skill assertations feature. We will finish by demoing some of the new features of LAiSER and discussing upcoming development projects.
Speakers
avatar for Mike Sanders

Mike Sanders

Senior Research Associate, George Washington Institute of Public Policy
Mike Sanders is a Senior Research Associate at the George Washington Institute of Public Policy (GWIPP) Program on Skills, Credentials and Workforce Policy (PSCWP).  Prior to joining GW, he was a Research Project manager for Educational Testing Service’s Policy Evaluation and Research... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
UMC 285+287 (Aspen)

2:15pm MDT

Empowering Job Seekers with Skills-Based Hiring Technologies and Digital Skills
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
This session will explore how educators can help adult learners succeed in skills-first hiring by building digital skills and confidence. Drawing from real-world pilots, we’ll share practical strategies for using tools like digital credentials and wallets, along with experiential learning activities. Attendees will engage in interactive exercises, gain actionable insights, and leave equipped to help learners showcase their skills, boost job prospects, and navigate equitable career pathways.
Speakers
avatar for Caroline McKinnon

Caroline McKinnon

Senior Program Manager - Director Adult Learning, ISTE + ASCD
Caroline McKinnon is our Senior Program Manager of Adult Learning here at ISTE. Caroline has over 25 years of experience in domestic and international education, working with refugees and workforce development groups.Caroline began work in ESL organizations in Latin America, working... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
UMC 386

2:15pm MDT

Evaluating curriculum and providers: A exploration of quality assurance opportunities
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
Two accrediting agencies propose ways to ensure quality for course curriculum and content providers.  The DEAC AQC process provides distance education course providers with meaningful and relevant feedback on how individual courses contribute to the mastery of learning objectives that may be part of a credential. The HLC Credential Lab Endorsement Framework is designed to convey quality elements of providers that offer content, programs, resources, and credentials designed to meet the needs of postsecondary learners, the labor market, and colleges and universities.
Speakers
LK

Leah K Matthews

Executivie Director, DEAC - Distance Education Accrediting Commission
TBD
avatar for Karen J Solomon

Karen J Solomon

Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, HLC - Higher Learning Commission
Since 2016, she has been leading HLC’s future-focused grant initiatives on innovation, student success, quality awareness, and alternative credentials.
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
UMC 415+417

2:15pm MDT

LER Credentials As Currency In A Student Jobs Marketplace
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
Arizona State University's Trusted Learner Network allows learners to collect, explore, and share digital credentials they have gathered across their lifetimes. In 2024 Arizona State partnered with SmartResume to integrate the SmartResume services into TLN enabling students to leverage their credentials directly on their resumes.  In the Spring Semester of 2025 the partners launched the Sun Devil Talent Marketplace to connect students and their LER resumes with job opportunities on campus. In this session we will review student and employer feedback on the pilot program. Did it work? Did students get jobs? Did the pilot succeed in creating more equitable access to employment? What were the challenges and key learnings and where will these capabilities go next?
Speakers
ST

Scott Travis

Program Director of Work+Learn Strategic Initiatives, Arizona State University
Scott is the Program Director of Work+Learn Strategic Initiatives at Arizona State. In this roll Scott oversees the SkillsFWD grant to connect students with jobs through LER Resumes and the Sun Devil Talent Makretplace
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
CASE W262

2:15pm MDT

Making Decisions Today to Support the Workforce System of Tomorrow
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
With AI, technology, costs, and credential overload reshaping the workforce, how do we engage today to build a stronger, more equitable system for tomorrow—without needing all the answers? Instead of reinforcing existing barriers, what if we designed for access, opportunity, and learner-centered innovation? This session invites curiosity, conversation, and practical exploration of the roles we can all play in shaping a more just and inclusive future.
Speakers
avatar for Meena Naik

Meena Naik

Director, Skills-First Design, Jobs for the Future
Meena Naik is an advocate for actualizing a radical future centering a skills-first approach to economic mobility, and partners with organizations and education providers to support the implementation of best practices in skills-first learning and credentialing efforts and associated... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
CASE E422

2:15pm MDT

Piecing Together Perspectives: Advancing Skill Validation Through Stakeholder Insights
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
To design effective skill validation systems, we must center key stakeholders closest to the challenges we aim to solve. Education Design Lab’s Center for Skills Validation explores barriers, use cases, and value propositions for STARs (Skilled Through Alternate Routes) and employers. Join us as we share insights from our research and identify actionable insights for advancing skill validation, drawing from our latest findings to inform future solutions.
Speakers
avatar for Tara Laughlin

Tara Laughlin

Director of Skills Validation + Development, Education Design Lab
Dr. Tara Laughlin has spent her career helping youth and adults develop the skills needed for the future of work by leading the design and implementation of personalized, competency-based solutions. She brings over 15 years of experience in K12, post-secondary, and adult education... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
CASE E250 (CTL)

2:15pm MDT

Wallet Attached Storage - a web-accessible data store for your wallet
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
Several limitations apply to digital credential wallets installed on digital personal devices limiting their usefulness. Access to credentials stored in them requires wallets are open and connected to the web. Credentials stored in them cannot be viewed by a third-party from the credential wallet. They must be sent to an end point via protocols specific to LER VCs.
We will discuss the design constraints associated with cloud-based storage for personal credential wallets. We’ll describe a range of potential uses for Wallet Attached Storage (WAS). And we’ll demonstrate an application built to provide WAS to the DCC Learner Credential Wallet.
Speakers
avatar for Phillip Long

Phillip Long

CEO/Founder, RHz Consulting LLC
Phil is a consultant at the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation T3 Innovation Network assisting with digital credentialing, identity, & related standards. He’s also a Senior Fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for New Designs in Learning & Scholarship, an advisor to ASU’s... Read More →
avatar for Dmitri Zagidulin

Dmitri Zagidulin

Consultant, did.coop
Core skills: leading dev teams, getting developers "unstuck", writing scalable decentralized applications, understanding complex topics in chaotic market landscapes and explaining them to customers and stakeholders. I have a strong theoretical background, and deeply passionate and... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 2:15pm - 3:00pm MDT
CASE E351

4:15pm MDT

Empowering Military Service Members through Skills Identification and Digital Badging
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
This session explores an innovative approach to translating military-earned skills into digital badges that educational institutions and employers can leverage highlighting the Manufacturing Readiness Project as a use case. Attendees will learn how the skills identification process supports smoother transitions for service members into civilian careers, showcases collaborative efforts between government and industry to enhance workforce development through digital badges, and fosters collaboration between education, industry, and veterans for scalable success. 
Speakers
avatar for Gardner Carrick

Gardner Carrick

Chief Program Officer, The Manufacturing Institute
Gardner Carrick is the Chief Program Officer for The Manufacturing Institute, the non-profit affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers.  Mr. Carrick leads the Institute’s efforts to create a world class workforce for the U.S. manufacturing sector.  He oversees all... Read More →
avatar for Sytease Gieb

Sytease Gieb

Special Projects Manager, Heroes MAKE America & The Manufacturing Institute
Strategic Workforce Development Leader with 10+ years of experience in mission advocacy, workforce system navigation, business relationship development/management, stakeholder integration, program creation, career pathway planning, and contract management. Proven ability to manage... Read More →
avatar for Deanna Parker

Deanna Parker

Strategic Initiatives Lead, Solutions for Information Design, Inc.
Deanna Parker serves as the Strategic Initiative Lead for Solutions for Information Design, Inc. (SOLID) where she manages all facets of SOLID’s unique projects that fall outside of the company’s regular business while also collaborating with the Innovation and Strategy team... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
UMC 382+384

4:15pm MDT

From Achievements to Advocacy: Designing of the Brag Sheet
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
This session explores the UX design process behind Brag Sheet, a tool helping individuals track achievements and impact for salary negotiations, promotions, and evaluations. We’ll discuss user research, designing for working adults, and crafting a seamless experience for data collection and career advocacy—bridging the gap between personal achievement tracking and digital credentials like badges and LERs.
Speakers
avatar for Jonny Coreson

Jonny Coreson

Founder, Brag Sheet
Jonny spent 10 years in the US Navy as a Career Counselor where he helped hundreds of Sailors advance in their careers. He then went on to build the premier Navy Advancement Exam preparation tool, Bluejacketeer, selling that to Kaplan in 2021.
MP

Morgan Pence

UX Design, CU Boulder
Morgan is a student at The University of Colorado Boulder, pursuing a Masters of Strategic Communication Design with a specialization in User Experience Design and Brand Design.
MS

Madeline Sinkovic

UX Design, CU Boulder
Madeline is a student at The University of Colorado Boulder, pursuing a Masters of Strategic Communication Design with a specialization in User Experience Design and Brand Design.
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
UMC 415+417

4:15pm MDT

From Campus to Career: Empowering Students with Competency Badges To Use As Job Search Currency
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
Millions of learners are underserved by systems that fail to connect education with economic opportunity. In this session, Keith Look (Territorium) and Ian Davidson (SmartResume) will share how bold, competency-based approaches and learner-owned data can create equitable and empowering paths from campus to career.


The presenters will explore:
·  How institutions can go beyond traditional credentials to badge real-world skills, enabling employers to recognize talent based on capability rather than degrees.
·  A radical vision for learner-driven data portability, where students control their records of skills and achievements.
·  A demonstration of competency-based credentials empowering student resumes with verifiable and professional resume content
·  A look under the hood of how credentials power career matches in a talent marketplace


This session offers a transformative approach to connecting education and work through the collaboration between Territorium's learning and employment (LER) ecosystem and SmartResume's next-generation resume builder and skills-matching talent marketplace.


Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for advancing competency frameworks, supporting student agency in data portability, and creating partnerships that enable learners to take ownership of their career journeys.
Speakers
avatar for Keith Look

Keith Look

VP of Education Solutions, Territorium
Dr. Keith Look serves as the Vice President for Education Solutions at Territorium. A former principal (of all grade bands) and superintendent, Dr. Look and his teams facilitated meaningful growth in districts large and small, urban and rural, resourced and challenged. A therapeutic... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
UMC 285+287 (Aspen)

4:15pm MDT

Harnessing Communities of Practice for Workforce Development and Digital Equity
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
Digital credentials in social learning enable diverse stakeholders to co-create knowledge and expand educational opportunities. This session will highlight The Workforce Integration Network (WIN) at CSU Dominguez Hills partners with Participate, Inc. to leverage Open Badges technology, creating pathways for students and community members to develop workforce skills, build learning networks, and showcase their competencies through collaborative and inclusive approaches.
Speakers
avatar for Dr Julie Keane

Dr Julie Keane

Chief Learning Officer, Participate, Inc.
I am the Chief Learning Officer at Participate. I lead business development, research, and evaluation of Participate's platform and services and support partner organizations' online community of practice design. I have been an educator technology researcher for more than 25 year... Read More →
avatar for Dr Kelly Page

Dr Kelly Page

Founder, CEO, Curator, LWYL Studio, LLC
Dr. Kelly Page is a social design ethnographer, social and digital innovator, and learning entrepreneur committed to developing truly social cultures, people, and organizations with emerging learning, employment and social technology.
avatar for Dr Krystal Rawls

Dr Krystal Rawls

Director, CSUDH, Workforce Integration Network
► I am a highly effective program leader and storyteller, with over 15 years of professional experience and a proven ability to lead, analyze, and translate data into actionable items.► My goal is to leverage strong development skills to secure funds, develop relationships, and... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
UMC 386

4:15pm MDT

Simulations, AI, and Microcredentials: A Recipe for Creating Valid Assessments of Skills and Competencies
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
Learn how an instructional designer and faculty member at Penn State collaborated with Muzzy Lane to create simulations to assess specific skills of graduate students completing Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare microcredentials nested in their courses.  With Muzzy Lane’s new AI tool, Penn State effortlessly created real-world scenarios by inputting specific learning outcomes and program competencies and iterating with the AI like a design colleague to create an activity in a single brief sitting.  
Speakers
avatar for Jeff Fiske

Jeff Fiske

VP of Production, Muzzy Lane
I have been designing strategy games for over fifteen years and have always seen them as an opportunity for a deeper level of learning. I enjoy creating the mental models that allow users to relive key moments in history that allow people to explore 'what it would have been' like... Read More →
AM

Amanda Morris

Instructional Designer, Penn State University
I am an instructional designer and doctoral student at Penn State University. I oversee the development of online graduate programs for the College of Health and Human Development. For the last year, I have led a microcredential pilot program for the College of Health and Human Development... Read More →
GP

Gina Pazzaglia

Director, Online Master of Professional Studies in Nutritional Sciences, Teaching Professor, Penn State University
I am committed to improving learning for all students and creating meaningful, inclusive learning environments. Our goal as educators is to improve learning and promote the development of learner’s skills, knowledge, and personal growth. I believe that not only do we ensure better... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
CASE W262

4:15pm MDT

Sustaining Communities of Practice Through Micro-Credentials
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
In 2023, CPS, the nations 4th largest school district launched a micro-credentialing pathway for its new district-wide curriculum, Skyline. The Skyline Essentials Badges quickly became the cornerstone of a robust profession learning plan and an entry-point to the digital learning ecosystem designed where Skyline was built. 2 years on, we will reflect on the impact of awarding over 12k badges across 400+ schools. We will ask, “How can micro-credentials be designed and implemented to sustain inclusive communities of practice that elevate diverse voices, experiences, and teaching contexts?” Seeking input from participants we will explore lessons learned and share our ambitions as we launched a new credentialing pathway around learning about GenAI.


Sustaining Communities of Practice Through Micro-Credentials
Speakers
avatar for Alex Fishman

Alex Fishman

Manager of Digital Learning Design & Instructional AI, Chicago Public Schools
Alex is the Manager of Digital Learning Design and Instructional GenAI at CPS Over two decades in the classroom and now leading district level work in K-12. He has specialized in driving innovative educational initiatives and leveraging technologies like GenAI to reimagine learning... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
CASE E250 (CTL)

4:15pm MDT

The Microcredential Governance Mirage: Turning Industry Aspirations and Campus Collaboration Into Tangible Outcomes
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
The rapid evolution of workforce demands has spotlighted microcredentials (MCs) and Learner Employment Records (LERs) in higher education. Yet, creating effective governance frameworks often feels elusive. How can colleges create governance frameworks that simultaneously align with industry needs while fostering meaningful engagement across internal stakeholders? This session blends discussions, activities, and real-world examples to explore strategies for balancing external alignment with internal cohesion. Attendees will gain practical tools to overcome challenges, foster buy-in, and design adaptive, sustainable governance structures.
Speakers
LY

Lisa Young

Maricopa Community College District
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
CASE E422

4:15pm MDT

You have a badge, so what ? What is it Employers and Industry is looking for...
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
So much of what is driving recognition is being driven by the "supply side" - i.e., the learning institutions, vendors, etc.  The solutions are focused on what they think the industry and learners want.   But do they know what they want, indeed does industry want rich data or do they just want to know someone can do they job?   How do they trust the badge?  The reality is we need standards to measure against, and we need external verification; otherwise, the industry will fall back on quals and where you got them and will be in the same place as we are now just with digital badges instead of certificates...
Speakers
avatar for Yasmin King

Yasmin King

CEO, SkillsIQ Limited
Yasmin is CEO of SkillsIQ a Not for Profit focused on vocational standards development in Australia, Asia and Latin America.  Working with industry stakeholders  SkillsIQ is focused on improving educational quality outcomes to ensure that training design ensures the right skills... Read More →
Tuesday July 22, 2025 4:15pm - 5:00pm MDT
CASE E351
 
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