Member Matters June 2026

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

Pathways to Completion

Wayne State College has awarded the first degrees under its ReEngage Program, which incorporates CPL, transfer of credit from other institutions, and advisor-guided completion plans to help former college students complete a credential (Norfolk Daily News).

Excelsior University highlighted the impact of its Strong Start project, which is designed to meet the unique onboarding needs of adult learners. Early data correlating with the initiative, which began in 2024, indicates that Strong Start is contributing to successful finishes (Excelsior University).

Preliminary data shows that the North Carolina Community Colleges System’s Boost program, “North Carolina’s replication of CUNY ASAP,” is resulting in an increase in credits completed. The program is wrapping up its first year of operations, which covered eight community colleges. Seven more will join the program in August (EdNC).

George Fox University has launched Oregon’s first three-year bachelor’s degree program, calling it “part of our longstanding mission to reach adult learners, to reach learners in every life circumstance” (OPB).

Hands-On Learning

For students of Fresno Pacific University, credit for learning outside of the classroom includes the great outdoors. The university’s Summer in the Sierra program grants up to seven credits for completing a two-week immersive wilderness studies experience in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (ABC30 Fresno).

In Service of Veterans

SUNY Oswego is participating in SUNY’s tuition gap coverage pilot program to negate shortfalls in military education benefits. The university’s longstanding support of military-connected learners includes a partnership with Fort Drum, CPL offerings, and comprehensive advising (SUNY Oswego).

University of Phoenix has launched the Phoenix Veterans and Affiliates Network (PVAN), a student organization focused on supporting military-connected learners and alumni (University of Phoenix)

Cultivating Education-Employment Ecosystems

Louisiana Delta Community College and CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, have partnered on a workforce development program tailored to the data center industry’s talent needs. The collaboration, writes LDCC, “demonstrates how public-private partnerships can drive meaningful change. LDCC provides the academic foundation and local engagement, while CBRE brings real-world application, global standards, and direct industry access” (LDCC).

Baton Rouge Community College and Ochsner Health are partnering to create the Ochsner Mobile Healthcare Training Lab, made possible by a $472,500 investment from the healthcare provider. The lab will deliver hands-on, industry-aligned training to high schools, rural communities, and other partner sites (BRCC).

$2 million in funding from BioMADE is supporting NC BioMISSION, a UNC Greensboro bioindustrial workforce training and research program that will feature a self-paced certificate of completion. The program combines in-person and online learning in a format “designed to be accessible to UNCG’s diverse student population, including adult learners and the university’s large number of military-affiliated students and veterans” (UNCG).

Parkland College is expanding its longstanding automotive apprenticeship programs. The newest partnership, with the Sam Leman Automotive Group, includes pathways to full-time employment, industry-recognized certifications, and an associate in applied science degree (Parkland College).

LSU Online and NextSource, a privately held, woman-owned professional services firm, have partnered on an education benefit program that will allow employees to access a “curated selection of online professional development certificates designed to strengthen practical skills in leadership, project management, human resources, data analytics, and emerging technologies” (LSU Online).

Red Rocks Community College is partnering with the Early Childhood Services Corps, which recruits and trains adults (50+) to address the childcare worker shortage and has placed more than 200 experienced adults in childcare centers as teachers, substitutes, volunteers, and business advisors since 2020 (Richland Source).

The Art of Articulation

Over the past eight years, University of Phoenix students have transferred in more than 7 million credits, saving them an estimated $3 billion in tuition. The university maintains more than 500 articulation agreements with community colleges around the country (University of Phoenix).

Bay College and Northern Michigan University have created a 3+1 transfer pathway in early childhood education tailored for adult learners already working in the field. (NMU)

An agreement between Neumann University and IBEW Local 654 will allow union members who have completed the five-year electrical apprenticeship/journeyman program since 2017 to receive up to 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor of science in business and organizational studies (Neumann University).

Investments in Inclusion

The inaugural cohort of the Central Oregon Community College education program at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution has concluded, with graduates earning associate degrees and welding certificates (COCC).

Success Stories

Northwestern State University shared the story of an adult learner who completed her college degree after a decades-long pause, fulfilling a promise made to her late father and to herself (NSU).

Virginia Peninsula Community College also highlighted one of its graduating adult learners, a mother who, more than 15 years after her own high school graduation, made good on her vow to earn a college degree before her oldest daughter, who is in a dual enrollment program at VPCC, finished high school (VPCC).