Can Microcredentials Re-engage 40.4 Million Learners?

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.

Noah Geisel

Micro-credentials Program Manager, Office of the Registrar, University of Colorado Boulder

Noah Geisel serves as micro-credentials program manager at the University of Colorado Boulder, as well as founder and coordinator of the annual Badge Summit Conference. With a background as a world languages, edtech, and digital badges consultant, Noah is passionate about helping educators and students make awesome happen. He has 20 years of experience teaching Spanish, English, and technology and was recognized as the 2013 ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year. He is a learner, sharer, traveler, and giver of high fives. Noah makes buttons, collects ViewMasters, and takes his dog dad duties to Pepper very seriously. 

Amy Smith

Chief Learning Officer, StraighterLine

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Amy Smith is an academic innovator devoted to increasing access to higher education. Her career spans many of the biggest institutions in the world of online higher education, including the University of Phoenix, Capella University, and Colorado State University (CSU) Online. Before joining StraighterLine, Amy served as the associate provost of CSU Online, where she was responsible for significantly increasing access and educational opportunity to students by offering graduate and undergraduate degrees and certificate programs online. Prior, Amy was dean of the School of Education for Capella University, where she was responsible for innovation and optimization of 38 graduate education programs. 

Megan Raymond

Senior Director, Membership and Programs, WCET

303-541-0233mraymond@wiche.edu

LinkedIn Profile

Megan has been with WCET since June of 2007. As the senior director of programs and membership, she oversees member recruitment and activities and manages various programs, most notably the Annual Meeting, Summits, monthly webcasts, and Closer Conversations. Megan brings 20 years of higher education experience to her current position and holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Fort Lewis College and a master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Education. Prior to joining the WCET team, Megan worked as the assistant director for student housing and conference services at a small liberal arts college where she was entrenched in student affairs.

In her spare time, Megan enjoys racing mountain bikes, skiing, and chasing her son on his bike or feet. Her two rescue pups include a 75-pound lap dog and a quite cunning shepherd mix whom she is sure is plotting to take over the world. Megan’s favorite television character is Saul Goodman from Better Call Saul.