Vice Provost Marc Booker presents on the future of credentialing while PESC Board Member Hillary Halpern represents University leadership at the Summit

PHOENIX, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix leaders Marc Booker, PhD, vice provost of strategy, and Hillary Halpern, MBA, senior director of program deployment and member of the Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC) Board of Directors, joined the proceedings of the PESC October 2026 Data Summit held Oct. 28-29 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Summit brings together leaders from higher education, technology and policy organizations to explore issues related to educational data standards, interoperability and innovation.

As part of the Summit program, Dr. Booker presented “A Candid Conversation About Credentials” on Oct. 29. The session examined the current state of credentialing in higher education, exploring lessons learned from existing approaches while challenging attendees to consider how the higher education community can create greater value and meaningful progress for learners in a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

“Credentials play an important role in helping learners communicate the value of their knowledge, skills and experiences in a changing education and workforce landscape,” said Booker. “As higher education continues to adapt, we have an opportunity to learn from what has worked, what hasn’t, and where we can make the greatest impact for adult learners to create true value and a return on investment from learning.”

The October Data Summit is hosted by PESC, a nonprofit association that develops and advances data standards enabling the secure exchange of education data. Through collaboration among institutions, organizations and industry partners, PESC works to improve the interoperability and effectiveness of systems that support learners throughout their educational journeys.

“PESC creates opportunities for institutions and organizations to come together around shared challenges and shared goals,” said Halpern. “The Data Summit helps advance conversations that can strengthen data practices, support innovation and ultimately better serve lifelong learning.”

Halpern serves on the PESC Board of Directors and has been actively engaged in the organization’s efforts to advance educational data standards and collaboration across the higher education ecosystem. Her participation reflects University of Phoenix’s ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance the learner experience and promote effective data exchange practices across the industry. University of Phoenix is also a Bronze sponsor of the October 2026 Data Summit, supporting the event’s mission to convene higher education, technology and policy leaders focused on collaboration and data standards.

Booker and Halpern are key members of the University of Phoenix’s dynamic leadership team, which is frequently invited to share their expertise at prestigious national conferences and events. In 2026, University leaders participated in the AACRAO Annual Meeting, ASU + GSV Summit, 1EdTech Learning Impact Conference, SXSW EDU Conference, and PESC Data Summits. These engagements underscore the University’s commitment to innovation and thought leadership in higher education, providing valuable insights and fostering collaborations that drive the future of learning.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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SOURCE University of Phoenix