Member Matters June 2025

A Monthly Lookback at Some of the Good Work in the CAEL Membership Community

Proactive Partnerships
Detroit Drives Degrees (D3) Talent Compact and the Data Collaborative, two Detroit Regional Chamber initiatives, are helping to scale Grand Valley State University's work to connect more learners with rewarding credentials. The support covers students in traditional settings as well as those enrolled in Omni programs, said the GVSU Omni director for Southeast Michigan, who also works with the chamber as a member of its Credit Mobility Coalition, which advocates for the preservation of CPL and other credits when students transfer among institutions (GVSU).

Luzerne County Community College hosted more than 80 attendees at its annual Commonwealth & County Legislative Breakfast, where the case for collaboration inspired the theme: "innovation through regional partnerships." The college shared several examples, including its articulation agreements with PASSHE universities, an affordable teaching degree pathway it established with Commonwealth University and the Hazleton Area School District, and its Microcredential Academy, which is grounded in employer partnerships (Times Leader).

In collaboration with JumpStart Cleveland, Cleveland State University is now the host of the Verizon Community Forward Learning Center, which offers free tutoring and other support to K-12 students as well as resources tailored to assist adult learners (CSU).

University of Phoenix and NCH Healthcare are partnering to provide education benefits to NCH employees that include CPL opportunities (University of Phoenix).

Accelerating Adult Learning
National University has dedicated a "co-learning" center to help adult learners balance academic, employment, and family responsibilities. Branded the “Nest," the center facilitates collaboration among online and hybrid students and also offers study and support services (National University).

Evidence-based coaching practices are spreading throughout University of Maryland Global Campus' cadre of success coaches thanks to train-the-trainer initiatives that are scaling InsideTrack's student coaching principles and practices (InsideTrack).

William Paterson University celebrated the graduation of three siblings, ranging in age from 27 to 39, who received bachelor's degrees through its WP Online program. The trio includes a Comebacker and two associate degree holders (William Paterson University).

Transformative Talent Pipelines
In collaboration with Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, Richard Bland College will open the RBC Dealer Institute at its Workforce & Career Readiness Center. A 12-week program will prepare students in industry regulations, customer service, and more. The casino and hotel, a $1.4 billion development project that will conclude in 2027, is expected to generate thousands of new jobs (Richard Bland College).

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has announced Rural Health Care Pathways Expansion Grants of up to $2 million each to 20 postsecondary education institutions. The RHCPE program focuses on increasing access to education and employment opportunities that support the state's rural health care needs (Tennessee Higher Education Commission).

Hands-On Learning
Utah Valley University, where more than one third of students are 25 or older, is expanding its CPL offerings to boost graduation rates and expedite student pathways to success (Deseret News).

Learning isn't just for students, as Valdosta State University's experiential learning certificate program can attest. The program, which just completed its inaugural cohort, is dedicated to helping faculty successfully incorporate experiential learning (VSU).

Central New Mexico Community College has broken ground on a transportation technology center that will offer "engaging, hands-on, real-world learning experiences, as well as internship opportunities with local employers, that lead to CNM credentials and quality career opportunities in our economy." Its programs are designed to support students of all ages, from dually enrolled high school students to adult learners (CNM).

The College of Education, Health, and Society at Miami University is investing in three experiential learning projects that will feature interdisciplinary work to prepare students for real-world collaboration in the workforce (Miami University).

Creative Credentials
American College of Education is offering a one-of-a-kind program, a certificate in professional skills in travel nursing, developed with The Gypsy Nurse, "the world's largest community of travel health care professionals." The certificate is aimed at alleviating a national workforce shortage while helping registered nurses advance their careers. It is stackable toward an ACE bachelor's degree as general elective credits (ACE).

The Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning at Southern Connecticut State University offers programs that last from hours to months, including "mini M.B.A." microcredentials and courses in AI, nonprofit management, executive leadership in customer service, and many more. Launched about a year ago, the program is experiencing demand ahead of projections, attracting learners with college degrees who want to update skills and inspiring others, who previously doubted themselves, to matriculate (Hartford Courant).

Awards and Other Additional Achievements
The 2025 Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education has recognized National University in the Opportunity Colleges and Universities – Higher Access, Higher Earnings category. The classification is "aimed at recognizing institutions that deliver strong access to historically underrepresented populations while also achieving competitive earnings outcomes for graduates" (National University).

Luzerne County Community College hosted the 36th annual Outstanding Adult Learner Award Reception, which the Luzerne County Council on Adult Higher Education, a consortium of Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Misericordia University, King's College, Luzerne County Community College, and Wilkes University, presents. The ceremony honors an outstanding adult learner from each of the consortium institutions (Penn State).