This episode of the Jukebox Podcast (WP Tavern) explores how WordPress education efforts are expanding worldwide. Host Nathan Wrigley speaks with three leaders driving that growth: Destiny Kanno (Education Program Manager, sponsored by Automattic), Anand Upadhyay (founder of WPVibes and Campus Connect organizer), and Maciej Pilarski (administrator for the WordPress Credits Program).
Overview
The conversation focused on three complementary initiatives that introduce students to WordPress and open source: the WordPress Credits Program, Campus Connect, and Student Clubs. Each program offers a different entry point—academic credit and mentorship, community-hosted events on campuses and libraries, and peer-led, recurring clubs—while working together to build a sustainable pipeline into the WordPress community.
WordPress Credits Program
The Credits Program is a contribution-based course administered by the WordPress Foundation that connects higher-education students with Make WordPress teams. It’s structured for semester-length engagement in two formats: 50-hour and 150-hour courses. Students are onboarded to open source and WordPress, choose a contribution area from make.wordpress.org, work with a vetted mentor from the community, and publish a final report of their achievements.
Students who complete the program receive an official certificate from the WordPress Foundation (signed by Matt Mullenweg), a badge, and a record of contributions on their wordpress.org profile—creating a visible portfolio for future employers. The Credits Program has grown rapidly: what began with a pilot at the University of Pisa now counts many institutions (Maciej referenced growth from six to 21 universities, including the first African partner in Uganda). At the time of the discussion there were roughly 450 students enrolled and 75 graduates.
Campus Connect
Campus Connect is an official WordPress event series designed to be low-barrier and highly flexible. Unlike the Credits Program—whose primary audience is higher education—Campus Connect targets learners at any level who can safely browse the web, from elementary and high school students to vocational trainees and college students. Events can be one-off workshops, multi-day sessions, or recurring visits, and they take place wherever learning happens: campuses, libraries, community centers.
Since becoming an official event series in May 2025, Campus Connect organizers reported dozens of events: Destiny shared numbers including 42 completed events, 71 participating institutions, and over 5,500 students reached in a short span. Most participants leave having built a live WordPress site. Campus Connect is intentionally lightweight to reduce bureaucracy for local organizers, and repeat engagements at the same institutions are an important success indicator.
Student Clubs
Student Clubs are campus-based, student-run meetups that sustain momentum between Campus Connect events. Clubs resemble in-campus Meetups where students lead sessions, teach juniors, run quizzes, speed-builds, hackathons, and invite community members to present topic-specific workshops. They build leadership, presentation skills, and a peer learning culture.
Clubs act as the glue in this ecosystem: Campus Connect sparks interest; Student Clubs keep learners engaged; Credits offer a pathway into deeper contribution. Clubs also open opportunities for students to connect with global community mentors, and they help keep local WordPress activity alive and sustainable.
Scaling and Support
Several scaling mechanisms are in development. Destiny is building a Meetup Activity Library—ready-made facilitation kits with activity guides, slide decks, and pacing notes to lower barriers for new facilitators. There’s also a Facilitator Training Program to expand the pool of qualified organisers and mentors so events can scale without overwhelming volunteers.
Recognition and Motivation
Programs offer tangible recognition: Credits graduates receive certificates and badges; Campus Connect can provide participation certificates signed by WordPress Foundation Executive Director Mary Hubbard when organisers request them. Public showcases, posts, and monthly Education Buzz Reports aim to surface successes and help the community celebrate student work.
Measuring Success
Rather than fixating on short-term KPIs, organisers look for long-term impact and sustainability: repeat events at the same institutions, faculty buy-in, student-led continuity, and evidence that participants later join the community or industry. Anecdotes—like a Women’s Day event in Ajmer where 50% of attendees were students and tickets sold out quickly—illustrate momentum that raw numbers alone might not capture.
Integration With Broader WordPress Events
Education is increasingly visible at flagship events. Contributor days and education tables have appeared at WordCamp Asia, and WordCamp Europe planned an education track and student showcases—bringing student projects and classrooms into the wider community spotlight.
Future directions
Speakers emphasized the long-term horizon: the real payoff may appear in years as new contributors and users mature into leaders. Initiatives like AI-related credentials were noted as another way to keep WordPress relevant for students exploring modern web technologies.
How to get involved
Listeners are encouraged to visit the show notes on wptavern.com/podcast for links and resources. Whether you can run a Campus Connect, mentor a Credits student, help facilitate a Student Club, or contribute resources to the Meetup Activity Library, there are many ways to help bring WordPress education to the next generation.
Closing
The episode closes with appreciation for the volunteers driving these efforts and an invitation to revisit the topic in a few months as the programs continue to expand. The shared theme: education is central to WordPress’s future, and community-driven, low-friction programs are proving effective at reaching students around the world.