Monthly Summary
In August, DFI outreach included tabling events across multiple campuses, a podcast interview featuring Linda Smarzik, and meetings on the Military Families initiative, Distance Learning, and potential collaboration with Central New Mexico College. Development of the Social Media micro-credential progressed toward a second Fall session launch. Data updates showed 140 badges awarded in Summer 2025 and four attainment micro-certificates earned, bringing the total to 1,344 badges—a nearly 50% increase and continued year-over-year growth for the program.
Highlights
Outreach
- Tabling events for CYP, HLC, and SAC campuses held on the first two days of the Fall semester.
- Linda Smarzik met with Vanessa Errico regarding the Military Families initiative and to discuss registration processes.
- Linda Smarzik was interviewed for a podcast, Planting Seeds for Success: Micro-credentials in Digital Fluency – Income Growth, by Lisa Marie Coppoletta, Adjunct Faculty Association President.
- Back to School tabling events were hosted at the South Austin and Highland Campuses.
- Linda Smarzik met with the Academic Affairs Current State Project Kickoff for Distance Learning.
- Linda Smarzik was contacted by Judith Tomasson of Central New Mexico College regarding potential collaboration.
Micro-Credentials
- Social Media micro-credential development continues, with launch planned for second Fall session.
Data
- 140 badges were awarded in Suitable for Summer session
- 4 students were awarded credit for attainment micro-certificates
- DFI Data Dashboard was updated with new data from Summer 2025 sessions.
- Between Fall 2024 and end of Summer 2025, we saw 659 badges earned, bringing total badges earned up to 1,344 – almost a 50% increase!
- The program has experienced impressive and consistent growth, with badge awards climbing from 111 in the first academic year to 581 in the second. This momentum continued into our most recent year with a total of 659 badges awarded, reflecting a 13% growth from the previous year and highlighting the program’s expanding impact.