Director of Microcredentials and Innovation Credential Strategy Cate Tolnai led sessions exploring employer-informed microcredentials, veterans’ skills and the University’s million-badge journey

PHOENIX, Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix announces that Cate Tolnai, Director, Microcredentials and Innovation Credentials Strategy, led three sessions exploring employer-informed microcredentials, veterans’ skills and the University’s million-badge journey at the 2026 Badge Summit, held July 13–15 at the University of Colorado Boulder and virtually on August 4.

Tolnai joined education and workforce leaders to examine how institutions can design digital credentials that make assessed skills more visible, meaningful and useful to learners and employers. Her sessions addressed the signals communicated by microcredentials, the experiences of veterans translating military learning into civilian contexts, and lessons from University of Phoenix’s journey to issuing more than 1 million digital badges.

Now in its 11th year, the Badge Summit brings together leaders and practitioners from K-12 education, higher education, workforce development, industry, government, nonprofit and cultural organizations to advance digital credentials, Open Badges and Learning and Employment Records.

Making microcredentials meaningful to learners and employers

During the Badgesplaining talk, “Microcredentials, Major Shrug: What Are We Really Signaling?” Tolnai examined a central challenge facing the credentialing community: While many microcredentials recognize that learning has occurred, they do not always communicate what a learner is prepared to do next.

The session explored how institutions can move beyond credentials that simply acknowledge participation or completion by incorporating employer perspectives, assessed competencies and forward-looking design. These elements can help transform a microcredential into a clearer and more differentiating signal of a learner’s capabilities.

“Digital credentials should do more than document that learning happened — they should help learners clearly communicate what they know, what they can do and how those capabilities connect to what comes next,” said Tolnai. “When institutions incorporate assessment evidence, employer voice and learner needs into credential design, badges can become trusted signals that give individuals greater agency in telling their learning and skills stories.”

Making veterans’ skills more visible

Tolnai co-led with Sanjana Seth, senior manager at Jobs for the Future (JFF), the session, “When Skills Become Visible: Veterans’ Stories from the Field,” which centered the experiences of veterans navigating the transition between military service, education and civilian employment.

The discussion explored how digital credentials and skills-based approaches can help individuals identify, validate and communicate capabilities developed through military service and other learning experiences. By making those competencies more visible and portable, credentialing systems can help veterans articulate the value of their experience in language that educational institutions and employers can more readily understand.

The session reinforced the importance of designing credential systems around the learner’s complete experience rather than limiting recognition to traditional academic pathways.

Sharing lessons from more than 1 million digital badges

In “Our Million Badge Story: A Game-Based Badging Adventure,” Tolnai led an interactive exploration of what it takes to build and scale a large digital credential ecosystem.

Rather than presenting a traditional case study, the session invited participants to navigate decisions, challenges and tradeoffs drawn from the evolution of digital badging at University of Phoenix. Topics included credential governance, assessment, technology, learner engagement, institutional collaboration and the operational considerations involved in moving from an initial credentialing concept to a sustainable ecosystem.

University of Phoenix announced in March that it had issued its 1 millionth digital badge. The milestone reflects the University’s multiyear investment in skills-aligned curriculum and credentials designed to help working adults translate learning into clear, shareable evidence of assessed capabilities.

Digital badges at University of Phoenix are grounded in demonstrated skills rather than participation alone. They are supported by faculty oversight, cross-functional governance, labor market information and industry engagement. Learners can share earned badges through professional networking platforms, digital portfolios and online resumés.

Connecting learning, assessment and career-relevant skills

Tolnai’s participation at the Badge Summit reflects the University’s broader approach to developing learning experiences that connect curriculum, assessment and skills recognition.

Associate, Bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at University of Phoenix include career-relevant skills sought by employers. As learners complete courses, they acquire skills which may be added to their professional profiles, allowing them to document progress throughout their educational journey rather than waiting until graduation to communicate what they have learned.

The University offers nearly 200 digital badge opportunities across undergraduate, graduate and professional development courses. Some badges are also organized into structured pathways that demonstrate how related competencies build over time.

“Scaling a credential ecosystem requires more than technology,” Tolnai said. “It requires shared standards, thoughtful governance, faculty engagement and a consistent focus on what will provide genuine value to learners. The Badge Summit gives practitioners an important space to share what is working, examine unresolved challenges and collaborate on a more connected credentialing ecosystem.”

About the 2026 Badge Summit

The Badge Summit is an annual gathering focused on digital badge credentials, microcredentials, Open Badges and Learning and Employment Records. The event convenes participants from education, workforce, industry, government, nonprofit and cultural organizations to share emerging practices, explore credential interoperability and advance equitable, learner-centered approaches to skills recognition.

The 2026 event included Badgesplaining presentations, Table Talks, interactive sessions and collaborative experiences designed to support practical problem-solving and cross-sector learning. A virtual Badge Summit featuring prerecorded and live sessions took place Aug. 4.

Learn more through the 2026 Badge Summit program and the Badge Summit website.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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SOURCE University of Phoenix

FORT COLLINS, Colo., Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — OtterBox today announced its collection of premium phone cases and screen protection for the new Google Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Designed to deliver trusted protection, everyday durability and elevated style, the lineup includes OtterBox Defender Series Pro1, Commuter Series, Lumen Series and OtterBox Glass Screen Protection.

From heavy-duty drop protection to slim everyday coverage and on-trend designs, Google Pixel users can choose from a range of cases designed to fit their lifestyle. Each product delivers trusted OtterBox protection, thoughtful design and wireless charging compatibility.

Defender Series Pro for the Google Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL
For peak protection, trust Defender Series Pro, OtterBox’s toughest phone case for drops yet. Engineered to provide 7X the drop protection of military standard (MIL-STD-810G 516.6), Defender Series Pro features multi-layer protection with a silicone outer cover, rigid inner shell and memory foam backing. Shock-absorbing corners, all-over texturing for enhanced grip and built-in magnets that align perfectly for wireless charging make Defender Series Pro the trusted choice when proven protection matters most.

Commuter Series for the Google Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL
Built to beat the daily grind, Commuter Series combines a slim, pocket-friendly profile with robust everyday drop protection. Its shock-absorbing design withstands 3X the drops of military standard, while built-in magnets provide seamless wireless charging compatibility. Designed for people looking for dependable protection without the bulk, Commuter Series delivers the ideal balance of slim design and everyday defense for the new Google Pixel 11. 

Lumen Series for the Google Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL
With its clear, low-profile fit, Lumen Series is designed to showcase the look of the new Google Pixel 11 devices. The sleek one-piece design hugs the phone’s contours, while a scratch-resistant finish helps maintain its like-new appearance. Raised edges help protect the camera and screen, and integrated magnets support effortless wireless charging.

Lumen Series for the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold
Lumen Series for the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold has a two-piece precision design that moves effortlessly with the device hinge for a secure fit and reliable defense against everyday drops and wear. An ultra-smooth matte finish resists scratches; raised edges help protect the screen and camera; and built-in magnets support wireless charging for added convenience.

Round out your device protection with OtterBox Glass Screen Protection, featuring shatter-resistant defense and fingerprint-reducing technology that helps keep your display clear and vibrant.

OtterBox Defender Series Pro, Commuter Series, Lumen Series and OtterBox Glass for the new Google Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold are available now, with MSRP ranging from $39.99 to $69.99.

For more information, please visit OtterBox.com.

About OtterBox:
From humble beginnings in a Fort Collins, Colo. garage, OtterBox has spent over 25 years mastering the art of protection, delivering durable yet stylish phone cases that can go anywhere, do anything, so you can say ‘yes’ to everything. Whether you’re scaling mountains or simply surviving a Monday morning commute, OtterBox has you and your device covered.  

It’s no surprise OtterBox is the #1 most trusted smartphone case brand in the U.S. From ultra rugged to effortlessly stylish, OtterBox helps you follow your ‘yes’ anywhere. 

OtterBox. Made for Yes. 
At the heart of every OtterBox innovation is a commitment to create positive, lasting change. In partnership with the OtterCares Foundation, OtterBox says ‘yes’ to giving back by inspiring kids to change the world through entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Employees say ‘yes’ to giving back when they use 24 hours of paid time off each year to volunteer. Since 2011, OtterBox employees have logged more than 148,000 volunteer hours, contributing an estimated $3.8 million in value to local communities. Learn more about our ‘yes’ at otterbox.com/givingback. 

For more information, visit otterbox.com. 

1 Defender Series Pro, Commuter Series and Lumen Series are NOT protective against water. Will provide added protection against drops and shock. 

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SOURCE OtterBox

The Proclamation, signed on August 6, 2026, establishes a minimum import price of US$21 per kilogram for polysilicon, together with price floors for ingots, wafers,  solar cells, and solar modules, effective December 4, 2026.

The minimum import price applies to polysilicon imports from all origins, shifting sourcing decisions in the United States market from unit price alone toward resilience, traceability, and security of supply.

United Solar operates the largest polysilicon manufacturing facility outside of China and supplies FEOC-compliant, fully traceable, high-purity polysilicon to tier-one manufacturers.

SOHAR, Oman, Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — United Solar today welcomed the measures announced by the United States to strengthen its domestic polysilicon industry and to improve the resilience of its solar and semiconductor supply chains.

The Proclamation, signed on August 6, 2026, establishes a minimum import price of US$21 per kilogram for polysilicon, together with price floors for polysilicon ingots and wafers, solar cells, and solar modules. The Proclamation also imposes an additional 15 percent ad valorem duty on downstream polysilicon derivatives. The measures take effect on December 4, 2026.

The action reflects a growing recognition that polysilicon is a strategically important material rather than an ordinary commodity input. United Solar supports the objective of building diversified, secure supply chains and welcomes the clarity the measures provide to manufacturers making long-term sourcing decisions.

The minimum import price applies to polysilicon of all origins. This will change how polysilicon is purchased. Where unit price has long been the dominant consideration, purchasers in the United States will increasingly weigh the security, traceability, and diversity of their supply.

The measures also distinguish between tiers of the value chain. Raw polysilicon is subject to the minimum import price but no additional ad valorem duty. In contrast, ingots, wafers, cells, and modules are subject to both the minimum import price and the 15 percent ad valorem duty. We believe this structure supports investment in the United States domestic ingot, wafer, and cell manufacturing by keeping feedstock accessible while encouraging conversion to occur domestically. The Proclamation also authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to grant tariff relief to companies that commit to onshoring the solar value chain. United Solar is well-positioned to support that build-out as a supplier of high-purity polysilicon.

The measures impose meaningful compliance obligations on importers, including entry certification and consequences for inaccurate documentation. Rigorous standards of this kind serve the purpose of the action. United Solar has invested in traceability and verification from the outset, and we welcome requirements that distinguish supply that can be verified from supply that cannot.

United Solar’s 100,000-ton-per-year polysilicon facility in Oman’s Sohar Free Zone began operations in January 2026. At full capacity, the facility is expected to produce approximately 40 gigawatts of solar modules annually.

United Solar is an FEOC-compliant producer of high-purity polysilicon and supplies tier-one wafer, cell, and module manufacturers with fully traceable material. The company welcomes verification of its supply chain and is prepared to support independent third-party audits, certificate-of-origin documentation, and supply-chain due diligence consistent with international standards.

“The United States has recognized polysilicon as a strategic material, and we welcome that,” said Binyam Giorgis, Group CFO of United Solar. “When a price floor applies to polysilicon of every origin, the question for a buyer is no longer just the lowest price but scale, reliability, and verified traceability. Buyers need suppliers who can demonstrate where their material comes from rather than assert it. That is what United Solar was built to provide, and we will continue to support our customers and partners as these measures take effect.”

The Sohar facility advances Oman’s economic diversification agenda under Oman Vision 2040 and is expected to create nearly 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.

United Solar remains committed to supporting its customers and partners with a reliable, fully traceable supply and to contributing to a more resilient and diversified global solar supply chain.

About United Solar

United Solar is a leading producer of high-purity polysilicon — the essential material used in the manufacture of solar panels — operating one of the world’s most advanced polysilicon manufacturing facilities in Oman. The company uses cutting-edge processes and modular plant design to deliver cost-competitive polysilicon at scale, while meeting rigorous international standards for quality, traceability, and environmental responsibility. United Solar is committed to building a secure, resilient, and globally competitive solar supply chain.

Media Contacts

United Solar Media Relations
Jessi Zhang
Secretary of the Board
Jessi.Zhang@unitedsolarholding.com

Minimum import price and duty figures are drawn from the Proclamation signed August 6, 2026, and Annexes I and II. This release describes the measures as published and does not constitute legal or trade advice.

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SOURCE United Solar Holding Inc.