By Autumn Walden, Editor, AACRAO Connect, Content Strategy Manager, AACRAO
Credit mobility is becoming one of the clearest tests of whether higher education can meet learners where they are. Dual enrollment alone reached 2.8 million students in 2023-2024, a 12.7% increase over the previous year, according to recent federal data highlighted by the Community College Research Center. How do we recognize learning without making students start over?
This July 19-21, we gather at The Assembly, a Learning Mobility Convening, the reimagined AACRAO Tech & Transfer Summit, to align the field and bring that question into focus through practical, field-tested conversations. Below, you’ll find three session previews that cover credit for prior learning, dual credit, and “friendly transfer,” each offering a video teaser, presenter quotes, and new ideas you can use.
CPL Systems
In the session “Scaling Credit for Prior Learning: Building Equitable, Transfer-Connected CPL Systems Across Colleges,” explore scalable models for CPL counseling, faculty evaluation, transcription, transfer considerations, and technology integration through the statewide MAP Initiative.
“CPL has the power to transform students’ educational journeys by recognizing the learning they’ve already gained through military service, workforce training, apprenticeships, and industry credentials,” shared Janelle Brekke, Director of MAP CPL Counseling Support, California Community Colleges CPL Initiative. “Through my work with the CPL Initiative, I’ve seen firsthand how thoughtful, systemwide approaches to CPL can reduce barriers, accelerate completion, and create more equitable pathways for students. I wanted to share practical strategies that institutions can adapt regardless of where they are in their CPL journey.”
What is the most important thing your attendees should take away from your session?
CPL is much more than a policy or compliance requirement; it’s a student success strategy. When colleges intentionally connect counseling, admissions and records, discipline faculty, evaluators, and articulation professionals, they can build sustainable, transfer-connected CPL systems that recognize learning wherever it occurs while maintaining academic integrity.
What are your thoughts on The Assembly in general?
The Assembly is a unique opportunity to connect with colleagues who are advancing innovation in higher education. I appreciate that it brings together professionals from across functional areas to share ideas, collaborate on solutions, and learn from one another. Those conversations are often just as valuable as the sessions themselves.
Can you share tips for attendees?
Come ready to ask questions, share your experiences, and connect with others doing similar work. Some of the best ideas come from conversations between sessions. If you’re interested in improving student mobility, transfer, or credential attainment, don’t miss opportunities to learn how other institutions are approaching those challenges, and be sure to join our session to explore practical, scalable strategies for expanding Credit for Prior Learning.
Dual Credit
In the session “Bridging the Gap: Strategies for Dual Credit Student Success,” explore collaboration across academic advising and enrollment management to support dual credit students as they transition into higher education.
“As dual credit enrollment continues to expand across the nation, we are seeing students make significant progress toward their educational goals before arriving on campus. In Texas, this growth has created tremendous opportunities, but it has also highlighted challenges related to credit mobility, degree applicability, and students’ understanding of how their earned credits align with their intended academic pathways,” shared Dr. Alvin Johnson, Director, Academic Advising, Prairie View A&M University. “I am interested in learning how institutions across the country are addressing these challenges and supporting students as they navigate the transition from dual credit coursework to degree completion. This topic provides an opportunity to explore innovative practices, share experiences, and identify collaborative solutions that create clearer pathways, reduce barriers, and ultimately improve student success outcomes.”
What is the most important thing your attendees should take away from your session?
Attendees will leave with practical strategies and peer-informed solutions to address the unique challenges faced by dual-credit students. They will learn effective approaches for secondary-postsecondary collaboration, explore methods to strengthen student transitions into degree-seeking programs, and identify practices that promote access, informed decision-making, and long-term student success.
Friendly Transfer
In the session “Transfer (Friendly) with Purpose,” explore how California Baptist University developed transfer-friendly processes to improve credit mobility, reduce time to decision, and support student success.
“We chose this topic specifically because we see this as a hurdle transfer students face. We wanted to answer the question: ‘What is transfer-friendly?’ and showcase some of the practices we put in place specifically to serve this student population better. ‘Transfer-friendly’ without purpose or without keeping our mission in mind ultimately does not serve the students we have a vested interest in,” shared Logan Petersen, MTS, Transcript and Records Analyst, Office of the University Registrar, California Baptist University. “We have been encouraged by the results we have seen and would like to encourage others to align their practices with their institution’s mission.”
These sessions are a reminder that aligning the field around one strong purpose—clear, supportive pathways—can reduce melt, strengthen trust, and help more learners reach the finish line without losing time. There’s still time to register for The Assembly, July 19-21, 2026, in Arlington, VA.
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