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Vice President of Accessibility and Student Affairs, Kelly Hermann, joins advisory council for the event focused on innovation and digital ecosystems

������Ƶ is pleased to announce that Vice President of Accessibility and Student Affairs, Kelly Hermann, has been appointed to the advisory council for the , hosted by UPCEA. The virtual event, scheduled for Feb. 4–5, 2026, will bring together instructional designers, faculty developers, online instructors and educational technologists from across higher education under the theme “Designing the Future.”

Hermann joins a select group of leaders guiding the direction of the conference, which builds on more than four decades of in-person professional development and is now shifting to a virtual event to expand access to the conference and its programming. Hermann’s appointment reflects her ongoing commitment to advancing digital accessibility, fostering learner-centered environments and driving innovation in online education.

“It’s a privilege to serve alongside colleagues who are dedicated to shaping learning ecosystems that meet the diverse needs of today’s students,” said Hermann. “This conference is a meaningful forum to exchange best practices, spark innovative solutions, and most importantly, advance access to thoughtfully designed environments that support every learner.”

The 2026 DT&L Conference will be offered free of charge to institutional UPCEA members, with scholarships available for participants from non-member institutions. The fully virtual format is designed to remove barriers to participation and include a broader range of voices. Programming will include peer-reviewed workshops, lightning talks, keynote panels and interactive experiences that encourage collaboration and community-building.

“Kelly brings a wealth of experience and incredible insights to our planning process,” said Senior Vice President of Online and Strategic Initiatives at UPCEA, Julie Uranis. “I am excited to have the Digital Teaching and Learning Conference program informed by her expertise. Kelly is a valued peer and a wonderful colleague, she is a true asset to our field.”

Outside of her work with UPCEA, Hermann’s accessibility leadership is broadly recognized in the education technology community, and she has co-authored a chapter on accessibility to the Routledge text, Leading the eLearning Transformation of Higher Education, as well as other organizational texts by Anthology, D2L, WCET, and OLC, and by leading educational publications.

In her role at ������Ƶ, Hermann oversees the university’s accessibility initiative, including the evaluation and remediation of curricular resources, the Center for Access, Resources, Engagement and Support Services (CARES), and the Office of Collaborative Learning and Educational Engagement. Her leadership is key in fostering a welcoming educational environment for students, faculty, and staff. 

About ������Ƶ

������Ƶ innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit  phoenix.edu/blog.html.