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WCET Announces 2026 Award Winners Honoring Innovation and Excellence in Digital Learning
Three institutions earn WOW Awards; Rae Mancilla of the University of Pittsburgh receives the Sally M. Johnstone Award; Leah Matthews of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission receives the Jonsen & McGill Award
BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 14, 2026—WCET, the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies, today announced the recipients of the association’s 2026 awards, which honor innovation and dedication in digital learning in higher education. The winners were recognized during the WCET Annual Conference, Oct. 14–16, in Minneapolis.
“We often talk about the need to be learner-centered,” said Van L. Davis, Ph.D., Executive Director of WCET. “This year’s honorees epitomize what that really means. Whether it’s rethinking how an entire university learns about AI, making sure adult learners get credit for what they already know, or students can participate in scenario-based tutoring, their work shows what’s possible when digital learning is designed around learners.”
Jonsen & McGill Award
The Jonsen & McGill Award, WCET’s highest honor, recognizes an individual who has made a significant career-long contribution to the higher education digital learning community and to WCET. Established in 1998 to honor WCET founder Richard (Dick) Jonsen, the award was later renamed to also honor Mollie McGill, whose work was central to building the cooperative. The 2026 recipient is Leah Matthews, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
Matthews’ contribution to digital learning includes a lifetime of service focusing on distance education quality and accreditation, including several years as vice president for recognition services at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation before becoming executive director of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
While at the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, Matthews has served as a negotiated rulemaker for U.S. Department of Education regulations directly impacting distance education. Matthews’s work has provided the field with quality standards that elevate distance education and, in turn, provide consumer protections for tens of thousands of students. As Dr. Michael Moore, last year’s winner, said, “It is fair to say that our honoree has been a forceful, passionate, reasoned advocate for all things distance education.”
Sally M. Johnstone Award for Excellence in Digital Learning Practice
The Sally M. Johnstone Award recognizes an individual WCET member who promotes excellence and quality in digital learning and demonstrates thought leadership. The 2026 recipient is Rae Mancilla, Ed.D., Executive Director of University Digital Education at the University of Pittsburgh.
Mancilla’s contributions include leading the development of six online and hybrid graduate health professions programs, mentoring faculty in digital teaching and course design, and advancing digital accessibility. Her work has provided faculty with training, resources, and accessible course templates while helping expand educational opportunities for learners across the country. Her scholarship and service extend that influence throughout the digital learning community.
WCET Outstanding Work (WOW) Awards
The WOW Award recognizes WCET member institutions and organizations that apply an innovative, technology-based solution to a challenging educational need. This year’s recipients are:
The University of Texas at San Antonio, Division of Academic Innovation – Generative AI Peer Learning Network
Launched in January 2023, UTSA’s Generative AI Peer Learning Network grew from a grassroots effort into a 150-member community connecting faculty, staff, instructional designers, librarians, and doctoral students across the university. The network supports responsible AI adoption through shared experimentation, a self-paced faculty course, and faculty and student guidelines. Its work has informed course redesigns and authentic assessments, while the Student AI Partners program involves students directly in shaping AI’s role in their education. In one general education astronomy course that integrated AI-generated podcasts, infographics, and a course chatbot, more than 70% of students reported a more engaging experience and improved understanding.
Alamo Colleges District – Credit for Prior Learning
Alamo Colleges District created a coordinated credit for prior learning (CPL) strategy across its five colleges, making it easier for students to receive academic credit for existing knowledge and skills. The district removed a requirement that students complete six academic hours before CPL could be posted and launched a centralized website and digital inquiry process. From fall 2024 to fall 2025, the number of students awarded CPL increased from 740 to 1,140, a 54% increase. The initiative creates clearer pathways for adult, working, and military-connected learners to advance toward their credentials.
Western Governors University & Kyron Learning – AI-Tutored Lessons
Western Governors University partnered with Kyron Learning to explore scenario-based AI tutoring that offers asynchronous learners engaging, on-demand support. In its Introduction to Python course, a comparison of cohorts before and after the tutoring’s introduction found that second-attempt assessment pass rates rose from 73.7% to 86.8%, while average completion time fell from 71.4 to 41.6 days. Among students who used the lessons, 82% said they wanted more like them in future courses. The findings point to promising ways to support learning and sustain momentum for working adults.
“Our awards shine a light on people and teams who do this work every day, often without much recognition,” said Megan Raymond, senior director of membership and programs at WCET. “This year’s winners didn’t just solve problems on their own campuses. They’re generous about sharing what they’ve learned, and that’s what makes the WCET community stronger. We can’t wait to celebrate them in Minneapolis.”
Learn more about the 2026 award winners at wcet.wiche.edu/for-members/awards.
About WCET
WCET, the WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies, is the leader in the practice, policy, and advocacy of digital learning in higher education. A national, member-driven nonprofit unit of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), WCET brings together colleges, universities, higher education organizations, and companies to improve the quality and reach of digital learning. WCET supports members across the United States and Canada through policy analysis, research, events, and a community of practitioners who share what works. Learn more at wcet.wiche.edu.