Presenters: Deb Everhart, Ph.D., Chief Strategy Officer, Credential Engine; David R. Troutman, Ph.D., Deputy Commissioner, Academic Affairs, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; Julia Funaki, Associate Director, International Education Services, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; Moderator: Joanne Duklas, Executive Director, The GDN Network

This first session will provide an introductory primer to Credential Transparency and the role of the open-source “credential transparency description language” (CTDL) and why this work is relevant in the context of the GDN Network and work to advance admissions and transfer for colleges, universities and Indigenous Institutes. It will provide an overview of why Texas is embracing credential transparency and how it sees this movement as vital to its mission. It will also expose participants to a broader global perspective as we work in partnership to understand the untapped opportunities to advance movement of supporting data and course and learning content as a way to enable learner access to future education and work.

Suggested Audience: Business and academic leaders involved in learner mobility work, course developers, registrars, and their teams.

Deborah Everhart serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Credential Engine, leading the expansion of credential transparency initiatives that enable more effective connections between education and career opportunities. Previously she has served as a strategic advisor with the American Council on Education, leading research groups of nationally-recognized experts authoring “Quality Dimensions for Connected Credentials,” “Communicating the Value of Competencies,” and “Clarifying Competency Based Education Terms: A Lexicon.” She has long been a leader in the development of open technology standards, including leading IMS Global workgroups for competency-based education, comprehensive learner records, and digital credentials. She chaired the Badge Alliance workgroup that defined a conceptual framework and technical standards for Open Badge endorsements. Her business expertise includes leadership roles in technology architecture and product strategy at Cengage and Blackboard.

Dr. David R. Troutman serves as the Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), leading strategic initiatives across Academic and Health Affairs, College and Career Advising, Student Success, Digital Learning, and Data Management and Research. With nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Troutman has driven data-driven approaches that inform state and national policies, creating pathways for students and positioning Texas as a leader in educational innovation.

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Learn more about this series here.