4/4/2025 - 4/4/2025
Presenter: Emily W. Thompson, PhD
Change is happening fast in higher education. How can you stay ready for the next big regulatory change? This session will engage participants on how to meet current federal regulations for online courses in terms of both faculty engagement with students (“Regular and Substantive Interaction”) and student engagement with the course (“Academic Attendance”) as well as how to prepare for future possible regulations.
Emily W. Thompson currently serves as Director of Online Programs at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis where she facilitates online programs and courses, including at-scale training and professional development. Often called upon to bridge the divide between IT and academia, Thompson advocates and communicates across the institution during enterprise-wide learning management system (LMS) and academic technology adoptions. In prior roles, Thompson launched online degree programs and supported LMS migrations at both Arizona State University and the University of Georgia.
Location: Zoom Meeting
4/11/2025 - 4/11/2025
Presenters: Joshua M. Gaul, Ed.D., AVP & Chief Digital Learning Officer, Edge and Laura M. Romeo, Ph.D., Lead Instructional Designer, Edge
The session will tackle the coming challenges higher education institutions face in achieving compliance with the new ADA Title II standards. Firm deadlines are looming for institutions of all sizes to comply with new rules mandating that all digital content and mobile apps meet WCAG 2.1, Level AA standards. Join Edge's accessibility experts as we explore the complexities of implementing these changes within strict timelines, the potential obstacles for institutions attempting to navigate these requirements, and how Edge’s expertise and guidance can streamline the path to compliance. You'll gain valuable insights on preparing your institution’s digital accessibility strategy and understanding the key elements of this regulation. This webinar will:
- Outline new ADA Title II requirements and their impact on compliance and institutional operations.
- Provide insights on addressing accessibility standards sustainable leading up to and beyond the initial deadline.
- Identify the challenges and potential roadblocks in achieving accessibility compliance in time.
- Explore how partnering with Edge as a nonprofit consortium can provide the support and resources needed to facilitate compliance.
About the presenters: With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Josh specializes in digital transformation, instructional design, faculty development, and change management. As Chief Digital Learning Officer at Edge, he leverages his expertise in digital communications, emerging technologies, and alternative pedagogies to help institutions implement innovative teaching models—hyflex, online, and beyond—driving student success, program growth, and academic excellence. His doctoral work in change management and faculty development equips him to navigate the complexities of modern education, ensuring institutions thrive in an evolving digital landscape.
As Lead Instructional Designer at Edge, Laura Romeo leverages her doctoral degree in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences to advance digital learning excellence and inclusive design. Her background spans elementary education, curriculum development, and teacher education, informing her approach to instructional design and e-learning solutions. Drawing on expertise in Universal Design for Learning and digital accessibility, she leads initiatives in course transformation and inclusive pedagogy. Her research and practice in curriculum development reflects her dedication to creating educational experiences that meet the needs of all learners. Through collaboration with faculty and educational partners, she designs innovative learning environments that bridge theory and practice while fostering student engagement and success.
Location: Zoom Meeting
4/16/2025 - 4/16/2025
Join USDLA's Public Policy Online Chat
Navigating Change: Educators’ Perspectives on Federal Policies & Digital Learning
As federal workforce reductions and funding freezes reshape the landscape of digital learning, educators and institutions face pressing questions. Together, we can explore innovative approaches to sustaining digital learning, securing funding, and supporting diverse student populations in a rapidly evolving policy environment.Join this solutions-focused online chat as an opportunity for educators, administrators, and policy advocates to share concerns, exchange ideas, and discuss actionable strategies in response to these challenges.
Your voice matters—join us to shape and drive a forward-thinking conversation.
Location: Zoom Meeting
4/25/2025 - 4/25/2025
Presenters: Dr. Mounika Ragula, Le Moyne College
This presentation explores the critical impact of accessible instructional materials on learners with diverse needs. Participants will discover practical, proactive strategies to create and remediate PDF documents, ensuring equitable access in digital learning environments. The session will highlight remediation techniques including but not limited to appropriate headings, and alternative descriptions for images. Through demonstration, and tried and tested examples, attendees will gain valuable insights into both proactive design principles and reactive remediation techniques. By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with actionable tools to enhance PDF accessibility, fostering a more inclusive and effective learning experience for all students.
Dr. Mounika Ragula serves as an Instructional Technology Designer at Le Moyne College in NY. She holds a PhD in Curriculum, Instruction, and Media Technology from Indiana State University. Dr. Ragula possesses substantial expertise in instructional design and instructional technology, particularly in the areas of online teaching, strategic integration of technological tools in teaching and course design, creation of accessible instructional content, and utilization of open educational resources.
Location: Zoom Meeting
6/23/2025 - 6/26/2025
2025 USDLA National Conference and Award Ceremony
Dates: June 23rd – 26th
The host location will be Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
The conference promises something for everyone:
- Multiple Keynotes from Industry Leaders
- Monday Afternoon Pre-Conference Sessions
- Monday Evening Conference Kickoff Party
- 50+ Concurrent Sessions
- International Awards Luncheon Celebration
- Bill Jackson Memorial Walk/Run
- Night on the Town Dinners with the Board
- Public Policy Forum
- State Chapters Meeting
- Virtual Option for Select Sessions
- Optional St. Louis Cardinals Ballgame Wednesday Evening
Our USDLA National Conference has long been an event where we mingle, discuss technology and learn from an audience broader than our own. Nothing can replace those live in-person interactions and conference feedback has always focused on those personal relationships made with one another.
For our 38th anniversary will be focusing on tracks that are in high demand as we continue to navigate both remote and in-person learning strategies. These tracks include:
- Micro-certifications
- Leadership tracks
- HyFlex Strategies for Success
- Student Engagement Techniques
- Professional Development for the Online Staff/Faculty
- Policy, Regulation and Governance in Distance Education
- Distance and Digital Leadership
- Ensuring Quality, Flexibility and Access (OER, Hyflex, and more)
- Innovative Techniques and Technologies
- Best Practices in Instructional Design and Learner Engagement
- Great IDEAs: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility
- What’s Next for Distance Education
Location: Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
1 South Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102
Please visit https://usdla.org/2025-national-conference/ for all up to date conference details
9/25/2025 - 9/25/2025
Presenters: To be announced
Join us as we prepare for Cyber Awareness Month with guest speakers discussing the challenges of cybersecurity in the distance learning space.
Did you know that members can watch replays of our previous public policy events and more in the member video archive.
Not a member? Consider joining today! Even trial members have access to recordings for 60 days.
Location: Zoom Meeting
11/3/2025 - 11/7/2025
For complete session information and to learn more about this annual event, visit NDLW on our website and to participate in the discussions that will be on the NDLW Daily Show (a chance to network, collaborate, and learn), complete this survey.
Location: Zoom Meeting
1/20/2026 - 1/22/2026
Join us for our 2026 Public Policy Week
For most recent session descriptions and speaker bios, please visit https://usdla.org/ppw/
Location: Zoom Meeting