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Webinar: May 21, 2026, 2 PM EST
Description:
As short-term credentials continue to expand, institutions face increasing pressure to evaluate quality, manage risk, and scale credit for prior learning (CPL). The Higher Learning Commission’s new Short-Term Credential Provider Endorsement introduces a quality signal designed to bring greater transparency and clarity to this fragmented marketplace.
In this session, Karen Solomon (HLC) will outline the endorsement framework, its purpose, and how providers are evaluated. We’ll explore what this means for institutions making decisions about CPL, transfer, and external partnerships—and how endorsed providers, including Sophia Learning as part of the inaugural cohort, can support more confident and scalable approaches to recognizing learning.
Presenters:
Karen J. Solomon
Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, HLC
Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, HLC
Dr. Solomon is leading the development of HLC’s new Credential Lab, an innovation hub designed to assist institutions and providers in navigating the complex and growing ecosystem of postsecondary short-term credentials. In addition to serving as an institutional liaison, she has been leading HLC’s future-focused grant initiatives since 2016.
She presently serves on the Learn &; Work Ecosystem Library Advisory Board and the Credential as You Go National Advisory Board. She served as a public representative for the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) and is a past chair of the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies (WCET) Executive Council. She also served as a reviewer of good practices for INQAAHE and has been a consultant, presenter and peer reviewer for developing international accrediting agencies. Previously, Dr. Solomon was the founding Executive Director of Illinois Campus Compact and held leadership roles at ACT, Inc and higher education institutions. She holds an Ed.D. in Adult and Continuing Education from Northern Illinois University.
Nick White
Nick White
Nick White is the Chief Learning Officer of Sophia Learning where he leads research with partner organizations and the academic quality of Sophia offerings. Nick is currently a member of the WCET steering committee and the IMS Global Digital Credential Executive Board. Nick has a masters degree in instructional design, is an award winning instructional designer and administrator, and is a frequent speaker at national conferences.
