Avoiding Potholes Along the Microcredentials Superhighway

Tanya Joosten

Founder and Executive Director, National Research Center for Distance Education and Technological Advancements

Tanya Joosten is an author, social scientist, higher education strategist, and internationally recognized speaker on digital learning, artificial intelligence, and institutional transformation. She is founder and executive director of the National Research Center for Distance Education and Technological Advancements. For more than two decades, she has partnered with university leaders, professional associations, governments, and industry to help institutions navigate emerging technologies, organizational transformation, and the future of education and work in order to advance student access, equity, and success. Her work has been recognized by EdTech Magazine, WCET, OLC, and D2L, and cited by multiple news outlets. Her earlier work in higher education included designing and teaching some of the first online courses at her university, building faculty development programs for pedagogy and technology, launching new blended and online degree programs, directing a center for teaching and learning technologies, and advising senior leadership on innovation initiatives.

Kacey Thorne

Senior Director, Skills Architecture, Western Governors University

Kacey Thorne is the senior director of skills architecture at Western Governors University. Kacey operates at the intersection of higher education and the future of work, where she is responsible for establishing a network of open skills that are aligned to workforce needs. To accomplish this transformative work at scale, Kacey has established an emergent ecosystem of partnerships, tools, and technologies that continues to evolve. Kacey is passionate about the urgent call to action for higher education to better meet the needs of students and employers. She is deeply invested in student success and creating higher education systems that support access, equity, and upward mobility. 

Janelle Elias

Vice President, Strategy & Advancement | Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs, Rio Salado College

janelle.elias@riosalado.edu

LinkedIn Profile

Janelle Elias serves as the chief strategy officer for Rio Salado College. She provides leadership for strategic initiatives, institutional research and effectiveness, institutional advancement, and national partnerships. She serves as the design lead for Maricopa Community Colleges’ implementation of micropathways and digital badging.