{"id":2514,"date":"2024-04-08T09:30:52","date_gmt":"2024-04-08T16:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=2514"},"modified":"2025-09-26T12:48:20","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T19:48:20","slug":"oregon-state-university-director-of-alternative-credentials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/oregon-state-university-director-of-alternative-credentials\/","title":{"rendered":"Oregon State University hires new director to lead strategic expansion of alternative credentials"},"content":{"rendered":"

Read a Q&A with Devin Miles, director of alternative credentials in the Division of Educational Ventures, to learn more about how Oregon State continues to expand access and opportunity for students everywhere<\/h2>\n
Editor’s note: <\/strong>This story was originally published on the Oregon State University Division of Educational Ventures news site<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n

Devin Miles is no stranger to the power of alternative credentials. He hails most recently from St. Charles Community College in Missouri, where he worked to expand guided pathways for students, including through stackable credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI saw firsthand the positive impact of quality short-term certificates, workforce education and particularly the benefits of online education,\u201d says Miles.<\/span><\/p>\n

These positive experiences are part of what interested Miles in joining Oregon State University as the director of a new alternative credentials unit. He believes in the power of alternative pathways and views Oregon State as taking things to a new level.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is that <\/span>times 100<\/span><\/i>,\u201d he says of his new role.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternative credentials offer a lot of promise for students and employers, and Miles will help OSU\u2019s <\/span>Division of Educational Ventures<\/span><\/a> build even greater momentum around their creation and implementation across the university.<\/span><\/p>\n

Below he shares his insights into the current landscape, what excites him about being at Oregon State and his vision for the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Devin Miles is the director of alternative credentials for Oregon State University’s Division of Educational Ventures.<\/p><\/div>\n

For those who are unfamiliar, what are alternative credentials?<\/h3>\n

An \u201calternative credential\u201d is an umbrella term that generally encompasses short-term educational pathways to specialized skills and knowledge that help students advance their careers. Examples include <\/span>microcredentials<\/span><\/a>, digital badges and industry certifications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Often, these credentials focus on specific skill sets that are relevant to particular industries, providing practical experience across various in-demand areas. These credentials tend to share common elements, such as their short-term nature, a competency or skills-based approach as well as an emphasis on reskilling, upskilling and\/or career progression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is it so important for universities like Oregon State to offer learners alternative learning pathways?<\/h3>\n

This question is timely as we observe dynamic shifts in both the employment and educational landscapes. One thing we\u2019re seeing is that many industries are facing skills gaps and workforce shortages. Employers want to hire employees who demonstrate those in-demand skills and knowledge, or else they need to be able to train people within a relatively short time frame.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re also seeing increased demand for these kinds of credentials from individual learners. While high-quality, traditional undergraduate and graduate degree programs will remain essential, the challenges associated with earning a traditional degree are prompting individual learners to seek \u201cnontraditional\u201d opportunities to gain those desired skill sets that will help them support their families and communities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately, alternative credential programs are well-positioned to meet many of these challenges and needs. In that way, they play an integral role in fulfilling Oregon State\u2019s <\/span>overall mission<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the main benefits for students?<\/h3>\n

There are many, but some of the primary benefits include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n