The future of higher education isn’t just about degrees, it’s about skills, relevance, and rapid reskilling. As industry needs shift at an unprecedented pace, institutions are looking for flexible, powerful, and cost-effective ways to deliver high-impact workforce training, microcredentials, and professional development.
We’re thrilled to announce a compelling panel session at the Educause Annual Conference 2025 that showcases how the Open edX platform is the strategic foundation for these diverse and scalable initiatives.
Educause 2025 Panel Spotlight: Upskilling with Open Source
Join us to learn how two leading institutions, with wildly different missions, leverage the same open source platform, the Open edX LMS, to meet the critical demand for skills-forward learning.
Session Details
- Working Title: From Beekeeping to Quantum Computing: Launching an Upskilling Program with Open Source Technology
- When: Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 8:30AM–9:15AM CT | Meeting Room 101 E, Level 1
- Where: Educause, Nashville, TN
- Track: Future of Work: Professional Development and Skills Enhancement
The Power of Open Source for Workforce Development
This 45-minute panel will explore the strategic benefits of using open source infrastructure to launch and sustain non-credit, revenue-generating education programs. By using the Open edX LMS, organizations can maintain absolute institutional autonomy and brand identity while building solutions that are both scalable and market-responsive.
We’ll be diving deep into two fascinating real-world case studies:
- Penn State Extension: Discover how they use the Open edX platform to deliver community and industry-based workforce development across areas like agriculture, food safety, and business operations. This is a model for using digital learning to strengthen local economies and support lifelong learning for a broad, community-focused audience.
- MIT xPRO: Learn about their approach to preparing professionals for the cutting edge of technology. MIT xPRO utilizes the Open edX LMS to provide advanced training in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, equipping learners with cutting-edge technical and leadership skills.
Meet the Panelists
The session features a group of experts who are driving innovation in both product and pedagogy:
- Jenna Makowski (Lead Product Manager at Axim Collaborative)
- Rebecca Rumbel (Assistant Director of Digital Education – Non-Credit, Penn State Extension)
- Dr. Indi Marie Williams (Instructional Designer and Technology Manager, MIT xPRO)
- Moderator: Edward Zarecor (Vice President of Engineering at Axim Collaborative))
Key Takeaways: Your Blueprint for the Future of Work
Attending this session is an investment in your institution’s strategic vision. You will walk away with actionable insights to:
- Evaluate the Strategic ROI: Understand the cost-effectiveness and scalability advantages of open source for creating and distributing microcredentials and professional training.
- Analyze Implementation Models: Contrast the strategies of Penn State Extension’s broad community reach and MIT xPRO’s focus on deep technical upskilling.
- Drive Institutional Autonomy: Learn how platforms like the Open edX LMS give you control over your data, your brand, and your product roadmap—essential for long-term sustainability and agility.
- Leverage Stackable Credentials: Gain insight into building flexible, modular training programs that meet evolving industry demands and expand educational impact.
If you are tasked with developing new revenue streams, closing critical skills gaps, or simply need an education platform that can truly do it all—from beekeeping fundamentals to the complexities of quantum computing—this session is a must-attend.
We look forward to connecting with you in Nashville! Stop by booth 1905 to meet the Open edX team 🙂
