Alamo Colleges District's Micro-Credentials Insights
Our journey to redefine the learning experience for working learners
AlamoONLINE has released an Insight Series, looking at early results on its journey to elevate training options since introducing micro-credentials into the Alamo Colleges District. This six-part series tells AlamoONLINE’s story of exploration, innovation, and learning. The series documents and shares findings, successes, and opportunities for improvement.
AlamoONLINE represents the range of opportunities for students pursuing degrees, certificates, or other offerings delivered 100% online from the district’s five colleges: Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, and St. Philip’s College. In 2020, AlamoONLINE expanded its services to include micro-credentialing to enhance students' educational experiences and strengthen each college’s capacity to deliver premier, quality digital learning experiences.
We proudly share our findings from the study and practice of delivering micro-credentials in this new insight series! The series documents everything we learned, shares how we pivoted, and serves as a how-to guide for others pursuing this work.
We recognize and accept our role as a leading community college district to share our work. We hope our internal colleagues and external partners, observers, and stakeholders can benefit from the time and investment in these briefs.
This six-part series tells the ACD story of exploration, innovation, and learning:
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Micro-Credentials and Digital BadgesThe demand for skills INSIGHT 1Micro-credentials orient learning around skills. Digital badges make skills visible. |
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Micro-PathwaysPathways to high-demand jobs INSIGHT 2Micro-pathways are optimally tailored to help adult learners quickly achieve their education, training, and work goals. Visible pathways are key. |
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Digital MarketingFinding our target population INSIGHT 3Focused, research-based digital marketing was critical to identifying and reaching our target population. |
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Learner-Centered Design and PersonasUnderstanding learners INSIGHT 4Personas are a game-changer for designing offerings, as they humanize target populations. |
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Badge Practitioner Community of PracticeFaculty thought-leadership INSIGHT 5Faculty and staff are highly invested in working together to build learners' marketable skills and award digital badges. |
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Credit for Prior LearningAggregating all types of learning INSIGHT 6Credit for prior learning strategies increase Alamo Colleges’ capacity to connect to new learner populations and grow enrollment. |
Contact us for these services
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Businesses seeking partnership with us to deliver micro-credentials to your employees, contact:
Dr. Luke Dowden |
Colleges seeking to consult with us on standing up your micro-credentials strategy, contact:
Amber O'Casey |
Requests for presentations on micro-credentials, contact: [Note: Please give two weeks' advance notice.]
Dr. Luke Dowden |
Micro-credentialing Design Team
A sincere thank you to our five Alamo Colleges and District members of the Micro-credentialing Design team who dedicated their time and talent for 15 months from March 2021 through May 2022 to advance this work.
Northeast Lakeview CollegeWill Fanning Dean of Academic Success Northwest Vista CollegeDeborah Gaitan Vice President of Student Success and Interim President Russel Frohardt Dean of Academic Success Palo Alto CollegeMicheal Ximenez Director of Advising St. Philip’s CollegeJessica Cooper Dean of Academic Success San Antonio CollegeJonathan Lee Dean of Academic Success Academic SuccessRuth Dalrymple Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Partnerships & Initiatives Zak Cernoch Director of Curriculum Coordination and Transfer Articulation |
Alamo Colleges OnlineAustin Baker Weise Director of Online Learning Eryn Berger Online Learning Coordinator Luke Dowden Chief Online Learning Officer CommunicationsMario Muniz Director of Strategic Communication Economic and Workforce DevelopmentXavier Urrutia Interim Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development Sammi Morrill Associate Vice Chancellor, Operations Linda Rivas Associate Vice Chancellor of Continuing Education |
Information TechnologyCarol Aguirre Process Functional Manager Joanna Arredondo Process Functional Manager serving as Project Management Coordinator for the Design Team Kori Schneider Instructional Technology Manager Fiscal and FinanceLaura Allen Senior Budget Analyst Student SuccessDaniel Ayala Director of Center for Student Information Jamie Trevino Student Success Systems Director |
About AlamoONLINE
| AlamoONLINE has released an Insight Series, looking at early results on its journey to elevate training options since introducing micro-credentials into the Alamo Colleges District. This six-part series tells AlamoONLINE’s story of exploration, innovation, and learning. The series documents and shares findings, successes, and opportunities for improvement. | AlamoONLINE represents the range of opportunities for students pursuing degrees, certificates, or other offerings delivered 100% online from the district’s five colleges: Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, and St. Philip’s College. In 2020, AlamoONLINE expanded its services to include micro-credentialing to enhance student's educational experiences and strengthen each college’s capacity to deliver premier, quality digital learning experiences for students. |