Advancing the Field

• Keynote: University of Oklahoma OU Online Conference. “Beyond the College-to-Career Pipeline: Building Bridges and Pathways in a Learn-and-Work World”

• Keynote: Pathways to Student Success Conference, Suitable. “All Learning Counts: The Time is Now For Connecting Learning and Work.”

• Panelist: Strategies for Connecting Learners to the Workplace - Alchemy

• Panelist: Mindset in Motion: The Future of Skills in Higher Education - Symplicty

• Panelist: Insights from the Field, UCSD Educators Alliance Design Lab‍ ‍

• Panelist: IEEE’s Skills-Based Microcredentials Information and Training Webinars

• Podcast Guest: CPL for Incremental and Non-Credit Credentials—Credentials Unscripted

• Frequent presenter at higher education conferences, including HLC, WSCUC, Convergence, Badge Summit, Quality Matters, CAEL, and CHEA.

Recent articles and book chapters include:

• Creating a Purpose-Driven Strategy for Microcredential Partnerships

• The Futuristic Accreditation Leader: A Paradigm for Advancing Innovation in Higher Education, in The Power of Strategic Accreditation, edited by Kristina Powers.

• Quality Distance Education for Students is Within Reach

• Assuring Students Are Prepared for Work and Careers

• Bridging the Gap: Creating a New Approach for Assuring 21st Century Employability Skills

• Practicing the Practice: The Heutagogy Community of Practice

• Assessment as an Ongoing Act of Learning: A Heutagogical Approach

Melanie speaks and writes on topics including:

• Work-integrated learning, work-based learning, and designing new learn/work pathways

• Learning recognition, Credit for Prior Learning, and learning assessment

• Competency-based education and skills-based learning

• Microcredentials, short-term credentials, and workforce-focused learning

• Quality assurance and accreditation

• Digital credentials