PHX Reporter

The University of Phoenix has announced that Marc Booker, Ph.D., Vice Provost of Strategy, will be a featured speaker at the 2025 Postsecondary Electronic Standards Council (PESC) Data Summit. This event is scheduled to take place from March 19-21 in Arlington, VA, and serves as a forum for education, policy, and technology leaders to discuss trends and innovations in data standards.

Dr. Booker is set to lead a keynote conversation titled “Leveraging the CLR/LER Infrastructure to Give Students Value Today” on March 20 at 10:30 a.m. ET. The discussion will focus on how Comprehensive Learner Records (CLR) and Learning and Employment Records (LER) can enhance value for learners using micro-credentials in a tech-driven environment.

"The PESC Data Summit offers a fantastic opportunity to explore how data standards and emerging technologies can drive innovation in higher education at scale,” states Booker. “I am eager to share how University of Phoenix has intentionally developed our CLR/LER strategy to provide increased value for our students and support their career aspirations while the market continues to evolve in embracing these new technologies."

In addition to Dr. Booker's involvement, Hillary Halpern, Senior Director of Program Deployment and PESC Program Committee Chair, along with Monterey Sims, Director of Admissions and Evaluation and member of the PESC Board of Directors, will contribute significantly to the summit's agenda.

The PESC Data Summit annually hosts experts from various fields including higher education institutions, government agencies, technology providers, and policy organizations. Booker's session is part of an extensive lineup addressing data management opportunities, interoperability, and improving student outcomes through data usage.

As Vice Provost for Strategy at the University of Phoenix, Booker oversees initiatives aimed at enhancing student experiences such as learning platform implementations and curricular improvements. His work has been recognized by multiple associations; he received UPCEA’s Business and Operations award for operational excellence in 2024 among other accolades.

Hillary Halpern brings her experience as Senior Director of Program Deployment where she enhances the University Program Lifecycle process through her background in student support and process improvement. She was recognized with the "Rookie of the Year" examiner award by Southwest Alliance of Excellence (SWAE) in 2017.

Monterey Sims directs admissions evaluation processes at University of Phoenix while serving on various committees like AACRAO's SPEEDE Committee. Her contributions include implementing Electronic Transcript Exchange (ETX) systems during her three-decade tenure.

Booker, Halpern, and Sims are integral members of the leadership team frequently invited to national conferences including AACRAO Annual Meeting and SXSW EDU Conference. These engagements highlight the University's dedication to advancing thought leadership within higher education.