We had a chance to speak with Jeff Grann, Credential Solutions Lead, with Credential Engine about the Midwest Credential Transparency Alliance (MCTA), which is working to identify and promote pathways to high-quality credentials.
Can you tell us about the MCTA project history and your involvement?
"The MCTA grew out of Credential Engine's partnership with the Midwestern Higher Education Compact and our state programming work, which now includes ten of the twelve Midwest states. Although each state has their own specific context, we also recognize that all states need supportive professional networks, resources, technology, and services. Convening the MCTA helps everyone benefit from each state's success and has helped to identify opportunities for regional collaboration."
What are the MCTA project goals, and what does implementation look like?
"The MCTA's charter commits to convening a broad community of practice to advance credential transparency across the midwest region, which we estimate to have about 150,000 credential offerings. This work entails regular convenings to network with others, creating new resources, forming action teams, and helping disseminate relevant accomplishments. Much of the initial focus has been on career pathways, which we see benefiting from the MCTA's focus on credential transparency and regional collaboration."
What is the application or use case for Admissions and Registrar Professionals?
"The MCTA has attracted an eclectic mix of people who are aware of the current challenges and yet also hopeful for solutions. Registrars and admissions professionals often see these opportunities most clearly and help everyone by sharing their experiences with projects they have sponsored, such as implementing business processes for articulation agreements, digital credentials, pathways, prior learning assessment, and more."
If you’d like to learn more about the MCTA project, or get involved, visit the Credential Engine site to download the project brief.
Credential Engine is a non-profit whose mission is to map the credential landscape with clear and consistent information, fueling the creation of resources that empower people to find the pathways that are best for them.