University of Phoenix leaders to present on scaling competency-based education at CBExchange 2026

University of Phoenix leaders to present on scaling competency-based education at CBExchange 2026

PR Newswire

PHOENIX, Oct. 2, 2026

PHOENIX, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix is pleased to announce that Marc Booker, Ph.D., vice provost of Strategy, and Justin Hallock, senior director of Change Management, will present at CBExchange 2026, taking place Sept. 30-Oct. 3 in Orlando, Florida. The annual event brings together educators, employers, policymakers and innovators to advance skills-based and competency-driven approaches that strengthen connections between learning and work.

Booker and Hallock will present the session, "Creating 5,000 CBE Graduates in 6 Years," on Oct. 3. The session will explore how University of Phoenix aligned academic, operational, technology and data functions to build and scale a competency-based education (CBE) ecosystem that has supported more than 5,000 graduates since its inception.

"Over the past six years, we've seen how competency-based education can create more flexible pathways for learners to demonstrate their skills and knowledge while progressing toward their educational goals," said Booker. "Successfully scaling CBE requires strong collaboration across academic, operational and technology teams, along with a shared commitment to supporting learners where they are at. Those efforts have helped us build a model that continues to evolve based on learner needs while maintaining a focus on quality, flexibility, value, and relevance."

How Competency-Based Education Supports Working Adult Learners

University of Phoenix has a longstanding commitment to educational innovation designed to support working adult learners. The University's competency-based education offerings provide flexible pathways that align learning with career goals and evolving workforce needs.

That work is further reflected in the University of Phoenix whitepaper, A Holistic Perspective to Creating Successful CBE Programs at Scale, co-authored by Booker and Hallock. The paper outlines lessons learned from designing, implementing and scaling competency-based education programs and offers insights for institutions exploring skills-focused learning models.

As employers increasingly prioritize skills and demonstrated competencies, University of Phoenix continues to contribute to conversations shaping the future of higher education and workforce readiness. Booker and Hallock are among the University's leaders regularly invited to share their expertise at national conferences and industry events. In 2026, University representatives participated in the AACRAO Annual Meeting, ASU+GSV Summit, 1EdTech Learning Impact Conference, SXSWEDU Conference and PESC Data Summit, helping advance discussions around learning innovation, student success and workforce-aligned education.

Learn more about CBE Exchange 2026 and see the full conference agenda here.

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