Berklee Receives UPCEA’s Strategic Innovation in Online Education Award

Berklee was honored by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) at its 100th annual conference in Washington, D.C. The award for Strategic Innovation in Online Education recognizes an institution of higher education that has set and met innovative goals focused on online education and been strategic in the planning, development, implementation, and sustainability in line with the institutional mission. Berklee was recognized with this award thanks to its continued dedication to online education via Berklee Online and the massive open online courses (MOOCs) offered through Coursera and edX.

“We are trying to change the world at Berklee,” explained President Roger H. Brown in his video acceptance speech. “We’re trying to make sure that young people all over the world can get access to the tools of making music and figure out just how joyful it is to be a musician.”

“We're honored with the award and recognition of the college's forward-thinking approach to educating students all over the world, who may have never had the opportunity or means to study on campus,” said Carin Nuernberg, Berklee's dean of continuing education. “UPCEA is focused on improving the lives of professional and continuing education students, and that has been at the heart of our work—to give students life-changing experiences in order to help them achieve their goals in music.”

Berklee was furthered commended at the UPCEA conference when online songwriting instructor Neil Diercks received the Outstanding Educator award. Last year, fellow online instructor Brad Hatfield was recognized with this award. Berklee Online has won UPCEA awards for outstanding online courses regularly since 2005.

Watch a video of Berklee President Roger H. Brown's acceptance speech.