• Facilitate Peer Learning: Encourage continuous sharing of innovative strategies and best practices through monthly virtual discussions and asynchronously via the online platform MIX.
• Enhance Thought Leadership in Digital Education: Position members as pioneers by encouraging them to contribute to the broader discourse on online learning through articles, webinars, or conference presentations.
• Build a Global Network: Expand the community’s reach by connecting members with diverse perspectives from various regions, ensuring a broad exchange of ideas and solutions for online education challenges.
• Support Professional Growth and Expertise: Provide members with tailored support, mentorship, and access to experts to build confidence and competence in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of online education.
• Advocate for Quality and Equity in Online Learning: Empower members to lead initiatives that ensure high-quality standards, accessibility, and inclusivity in online education.

The online community discussions are exclusively open to digital learning academic leaders from WCET member institutions.

The group convenes on a monthly basis via standing Zoom meetings, fostering real-time engagement and dynamic conversation among participants. To promote open dialogue and ensure a safe environment for candid discussions, these meetings will not be recorded, allowing members to speak freely and explore innovative solutions without concerns about content being shared beyond the group. This approach creates a trusted and confidential space where participants can form deeper connections, build rapport, and collaboratively shape the future of digital learning in higher education.

These discussions serve as a private, collaborative space for members to exchange ideas, share strategies, and address challenges unique to their leadership roles in digital education.

This group is designed for WCET members who are in the early stages of their leadership journey or have been nominated by their institutional leaders for demonstrating exceptional leadership potential in digital learning. Membership will be selective, with a set number of participants, ensuring a high-quality, focused experience for each member. The group will follow a rolling application and nomination process, allowing for fresh perspectives to continually enter the community while maintaining a consistent cohort size of 20-25.

Every two months, a WCET leadership committee member, either from the Executive Council or the Steering Committee, will lead a topic-based conversation tailored to the needs of emerging leaders in digital education. These sessions will focus on key leadership challenges, strategies for career advancement, and innovations in digital learning. Modeled after WCET’s highly regarded “Closer Conversations” series, the format will be informal, interactive, and highly engaging, encouraging participants to ask questions and share their experiences in a supportive setting.

The sessions will take place via Zoom, and to promote open, honest dialogue, they will not be recorded. This ensures a safe space for candid discussion, allowing participants to explore challenges, ideas, and leadership insights without the pressure of a recorded session. By creating this trusted environment, the group aims to nurture the next generation of digital learning leaders, equipping them with the skills, networks, and insights needed to excel in higher education’s evolving landscape.

LEADup participants will also be encouraged to participate in discussions via the WCET online community platform, MIX.

• Create Collaborative Networks: Facilitate meaningful connections among members through online discussions, development opportunities, networking, encouraging collaboration on research, projects, and initiatives that push digital education forward.
• Advance Digital Learning Innovations: Encourage members to share best practices, emerging technologies, and innovative approaches to enhance digital learning experiences and transform higher education.
• Promote Career Growth: Offer professional development opportunities such as workshops, webinars, and discussions aimed at helping members advance their careers and gain leadership positions.
• Stay Ahead of Industry Trends: Keep members informed about the latest trends in digital learning, technology, and policy changes, empowering them to stay at the forefront of the field.
• Provide Mentorship Opportunities: Explore options and opportunities for to assist participants in engaging with a mentor or enhancing an existing mentoring relationship, with the hope of cultivating leadership skills and career guidance.
• Build Thought Leadership: Encourage members to contribute thought leadership to the broader field of digital education through presentations, publications, and speaking engagements.
• Support Personal and Professional Balance: Help members find a balance between their professional leadership aspirations and personal well-being.