2026 Badge Summit

In this 30-minute breakout, Aims Community College and Proof of Knowledge (POK) share practical lessons from a real-world digital badge pilot designed to better communicate learning outcomes and improve learner employability. Facing the limitations of transcripts and traditional credentials, Aims sought a way to help learners clearly demonstrate workforce-ready skills through verifiable, institution-owned digital credentials.
The session explores how Aims implemented a standards-aligned, white-label digital badging framework that allows learner achievements to be trusted, portable, and controlled by the institution. The presenters will discuss key implementation decisions, including aligning credentials with Open Badges 3.0, reducing technical and operational friction for non-technical users, and improving student engagement and badge claim rates.
Participants will leave with actionable insights into how community colleges can design and scale digital badge initiatives across general education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), co-curricular learning, continuing education, and employee professional development, while maintaining institutional credibility and learner trust.