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SOLAR26 C-COLO Convening

Description

SOLAR26 C-COLO Convening - Regulation and Revenue: Strategic Foresight for Online Learning Leaders
July 29, 2026, 10:00-11:45 AM
Westin Boston Seaport District

425 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210

Event Description:

As online education continues to grow in scale and strategic importance, Chief Online Learning Officers face a new convergence of pressure: heightened regulatory scrutiny and increasingly fragile financial models. This interactive session brings together executive leaders to explore the implications of shifting federal aid policies, evolving definitions of online learning, and the long-term viability of traditional revenue streams. Through expert insights, scenario-based planning, and peer dialogue, participants will assess institutional risk, challenge outdated assumptions, and leave with tools to align compliance obligations with sustainable online growth strategies.


The Compliance Crossroads: Regulation, Risk, and the Future of Digital Learning

  • Updates on Title IV, state/federal regulatory shifts
    The implications of federal aid reform (e.g., Workforce Pell, Grad PLUS, gainful employment, reporting complexity)

Disrupted Models: Online Enterprise Financial Sustainability

  • Financial pressures and revenue dependency on online programs
    Internal cross-subsidization models and CFO collaboration

    Changing tuition models (subscription, stackable, short-form)

Aligning Compliance and Revenue Strategy: A Leadership Planning Exercise

  • In peer groups, COLOs will identify ways to bridge the gap between evolving regulations and institutional financial models through scenario planning.

The 2026 Convening is the annual gathering of the Council for Chief Online Learning Officers (C-COLO). Attendance is free and limited to COLOs and Institutional Representatives registered for the 2026 Summit for Online Leadership and Administration. Each UPCEA member institution has the opportunity to identify a COLO to represent them in the Council. Registration for the Convening will close Monday, July 20.

Registration for 2026 SOLAR is required to register for the C-COLO Convening.


*What is a Chief Online Learning Officer (COLO)
A Chief Online Learning Officer (COLO) is the decision-maker for an online enterprise (whether at the unit, college, or institutional level). COLOs are accountable to the online enterprise and make the decisions to advance the strategy, leadership, and vision of post-secondary online education. At the operational level, a COLO makes the critical path decisions for an online enterprise (e.g. technology, outsourcing strategic enrollment management vs. building internal teams, etc.). UPCEA recognizes there is diversity in such roles and decisions. COLOs are sometimes professional or continuing education deans with online in their portfolio, while others are solely focused on online learning.


For more information or for any questions please contact info@upcea.edu.



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UPCEA is the online and professional education association. Our members positively impact millions of lives by continuously reinventing higher education. We advance the professional field through cutting edge research, professional development, networking and mentorship, conferences and seminars, and stakeholder advocacy. Our collaborative, entrepreneurial community brings together decision makers and influencers in education, industry, research, and policy interested in improving educational access and outcomes.

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