Online learning has become the norm for most universities today. By developing a broader portfolio of offerings to include residential, online and hybrid programs, institutions can expand their reach, open access to new learners and increase enrollments among more diverse populations. It also enables extensions into micro-credentials and certificates that support job readiness and skills acquisition beyond the degree.

In fact, the 2021 Changing Landscape of Online Education report (CHLOE 6) indicated that 80% to 90% of chief online officers (COOs) saw online learning as a greater priority than it was in the past, and 57% reported that a focus on online learning had become a part of their institutions’ strategic plans.

“Student expectations of online learning have evolved,” said Ashish Patel, portfolio president and chief information officer of AccelerEd. “To future-proof, remain relevant and deliver quality learning experiences in this changing market, universities need to couple a strong digital strategy with the ability to make data-driven decisions.”

Fast-forward to 2022, CHLOE 7 indicated that COOs were still reporting that online learning would play a much bigger role in the typical student experience as soon as 2025. However, perhaps more importantly, they reported a strong emphasis on hybrid experiences, with enhanced experiential learning opportunities at the top of student priorities. Examples of these opportunities include off-campus learning, internships, and combinations of paid work and study.

“Online learning has to be a core institutional priority that supports the university’s mission in order for it to take hold,” said Wendy Colby, senior board advisor and former AccelerEd CEO. “Robust, relevant, quality services require steadfast leadership, vision, faculty buy-in, the right online leadership and patience. The question is not if these services should be provided but how they should be provided.”

So, with that in mind, we’ve prepared five steps to successfully expand online and hybrid learning platforms within the university portfolio to guide you in executing your vision.

Get the full playbook for more information on each step.

BETHESDA, Md. January 13, 2023AccelerEd is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashish Patel as Portfolio President and Chief Information Officer (CIO). AccelerEd is a UMGC Ventures business, which was developed in 2017 to provide all IT operations for the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC).

Ashish Patel Named AccelerEd’s New Portfolio President and Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Patel comes to AccelerEd from MorganFranklin Consulting where he served as Managing Director of Digital Acceleration & C-Level Advisory. He brings more than 20 years of executive level experience in IT services, consulting, and ecommerce operations. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations worldwide improve their technology readiness and efficiency, with a focus on aligning business processes and IT capabilities to realize cost savings, accelerate performance, and sustain strategic flexibility.

“We are very pleased to welcome Ashish to AccelerEd,” said William R. Roberts, Chairman of the Board for UMGC Ventures. “I am confident that Ashish’s leadership in all facets of global IT and ecommerce operations will provide the strategic IT executive leadership we need to steward the growth, scale, and transformation that is critically important to our work in higher education.”

Prior to MorganFranklin, Patel served as Senior Vice President of Technology for Bank of America where he led mobile and online retail banking technology, as well as CIO of Creative Marketing Solutions, where he played a key role in reengineering and data management to drive business value.

“AccelerEd has built an impressive track record in the support and delivery of a full range of enterprise applications and IT support services,” said Patel. “I am excited to step into this role as Portfolio President & CIO. I look forward to working with our higher education and IT leaders to advance the mission of higher education around the globe.”

Patel holds an MBA and a Master of Science degree from University of South Carolina. He completed his bachelor’s degree at University of Rajasthan in India. He is a certified Scrum Master and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate, in addition to a six-sigma green belt.

About AccelerEd

AccelerEd is a managed services IT organization, dedicated to supporting all IT operations for the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). We are built on a history of innovation and a passion for education. To learn more, visit AccelerEd.com.

About UMGC Ventures

UMGC Ventures is an innovative business model for higher education that funds, develops, and launches innovative ventures that help higher education institutions compete more effectively in an era of rapid change. UMGC Ventures is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) supporting organization created by University of Maryland Global Campus. To learn more, visit UMGCVentures.org.