EDvance College as a Model for Higher Education Reinvention: Reflections from the AAC&U CLASS Conference

This spring, Dr. Victoria Quijano, Chief Academic Officer, and Anna Arambula-Gonzalez, Dean of ECS, presented at the AAC&U Conference on Learning and Student Success (CLASS), held April 15–18, 2026, sharing insights from EDvance College's ongoing work to reimagine program design for today's learners.

The session, titled Critical Path Program Design: EDvance College as a Model for Higher Education Reinvention, examined how the institution is building a student-centered, workforce-aligned educational model — and what that work looks like in practice.

What We Shared

Presenters highlighted several key design elements that distinguish the EDvance model: contextualized general education, a tightly sequenced and scaffolded curriculum, and the integration of Communities of Reflective Practice (CORP) across the program. The session also addressed how intentional faculty onboarding, training, and evaluation support consistency in pedagogy and contribute to positive outcomes for both students and instructors.

Key Takeaways

A central theme throughout the session was the importance of aligning curriculum with workforce needs without losing sight of student belonging and engagement. When learning is contextualized and reflective practice is embedded — rather than siloed — students are better equipped to connect theory to real-world application.

Equally significant was the discussion around pedagogical consistency. A structured approach to faculty development ensures students encounter a cohesive learning experience across courses, reinforcing the value of intentional course design and program alignment.

Finally, the session underscored CORP as a high-impact practice with implications well beyond a single course. When reflective practice, ePortfolio development, and scaffolded assignments are woven progressively throughout a program, students develop deeper and more transferable skills.

The presentation offered an opportunity to contribute to a broader national conversation about what it means to reinvent higher education — and to affirm that the work happening at EDvance is both distinctive and replicable.

This post reflects a presentation delivered in April 2026. Dr. Quijano has since retired from her role as Chief Academic Officer. We thank her for her contributions to EDvance and for representing the institution at the national level.