About  |  Schedule

The success of the field of online, blended and digital learning is bolstered by the dimensions of diversity present across our community, centering practices of sharing and collaboration in support of student success. The Fusion Summit spotlights the diverse thought leadership and visionary actions of prominent voices from the respective communities of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AAPISIs), providing guidance and strategic vision for the entire community.

Focusing on the quality characteristics of online learning as well as digital strategies prioritized by these visionaries through their work in online education, this multipart summit uses actionable design practices and collaborative work to create a community of practice supporting work well beyond the conference.

Join us for a three-part series of fireside chats at the virtual component of the Fusion Summit, as well as in-person networking opportunities for educators seeking diverse and inclusive practices for equitable online, blended and digital learning at the onsite component in Washington, D.C.

 

Summit Speakers

MODERATORS

  • Dr Crist Ford, Principal, Jigsaw Training and Consulting, LLC
  • Angela Gunder, Chief Academic Officer, Online Learning Consortium
  • Jen Nichols, Digital Scholarship Librarian, University of Arizona

Presenters

  • Angela Gunder, Chief Academic Officer, Online Learning Consortium
  • Madeline Shellgren, Director of Online Engagement, Online Learning Consortium
  • Jen Nichols, Digital Scholarship Librarian, University of Arizona
  • Sarah Wellman, Learning Design Specialist, Michigan State University
  • Kim Cliett Long, President and C.E.O., Organizational Concepts/Adult Learners Now
  • Marcela Ramirez, Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Innovation, The University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Dr. Katina Ward-James, Director of Education Services, Hampton University
  • Dr. Kevin Trumpeter, Dean of Arts and Humanities, Allen University
  • Mr. Ian Josephs, Director of Online Learning and Distance Education, Medgar Evers College

Virtual Summit Schedule

The Fusion Summit is open to all OLC Accelerate 2021 participants and held virtually in three parts on Monday, September 20. Attendees can attend one or all of the sessions, and are encouraged to bring colleagues from their leadership teams to attend as a connected cohort across the event.

All Sessions are held in US Eastern Daylight Time Zone (EDT).

Part 1: September 20, 3:00pm – 3:45pm US EDT

A Panel Discussion on “Creating Fertile Ground for Digital Transformation”

Join us for a panel discussion around digital learning strategies and their impact for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Hear from HBCU leaders, as they share about the many challenges and opportunities for aligning their institutional mission to digital strategy, as well as what they have learned along the way while engaging in this work. 

Moderator:

  • Dr. Cristi Ford, Principal, Jigsaw Training and Consulting, LLC

Panelists:

  • Dr. Katina Ward-James, Director of Education Services, Hampton University
  • Dr. Kevin Trumpeter, Dean of Arts and Humanities, Allen University
  • Mr. Ian Josephs, Director of Online Learning and Distance Education, Medgar Evers College

Part 2: September 20, 4:15pm – 5:00pm US EDT

Centering Community Experiences and Expertise

This panel discussion situates change-oriented and action-based work within a critical reflection on the ways in which we do (and do not) build and lead with models that center the diverse experiences and expertise in our community. Join us for collaborative storytelling, strategy sharing, community building, and future landscape-reflecting.

Moderator: 

  • Angela Gunder, Chief Academic Officer, Online Learning Consortium

Panelists: 

  • Sarah Wellman, Learning Design Specialist, Michigan State University
  • Dr. Kim Cliett Long, OLC Board of Directors, President and C.E.O., Organizational Concepts/Adult Learners Now
  • Marcela Ramirez, Interim Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Innovation, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Part 3: September 20, 6:45pm – 7:30pm US EDT

Collaboratively Planning For Change

Participants in this session will engage in collaborative action planning, utilizing a modified template designed for and tested with community during June’s OLC Ideate event. Throughout the session, the facilitators will also report on the major findings / takeaways from this event and the OLC Ideate DEI experience as a whole.

Presenters 

  • Madeline Shellgren, Director of Online Engagement, Online Learning Consortium
  • Jen Nichols, Digital Scholarship Librarian, University of Arizona
  • Angela Gunder, Chief Academic Officer, Online Learning Consortium

 

Onsite Meet-up

Like all good learning experiences, OLC is very interested in amplifying the ways that we can engage with new ideas and the community across different modalities. As such, the onsite meetups are meant to be a direct connection to the findings, ideation, and collaborations happening in the virtual summits two weeks prior. You are encouraged to attend any and all parts of the summits and the meetups, with no requirement to attend the summit to make the most of the meetups, and vice versa. We encourage you to explore both spaces as you can to contribute to the shaping of new collaborations and future calls to action for this special interest group. Excited to access both spaces? Register for an All-Access Pass to be sure to gain access to attend both!

The Fusion Summit Meet-up at the onsite conference at Gaylord National (Washington D.C. area) will be held on Thursday, October 7.

Onsite Meet-ups are located in the Speed Networking Lounge (Maryland Ballroom Exhibit Hall).   

Fusion Summit Meet-up: Centering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: October 7, 1:45pm – 2:30pm US EDT

Join us after lunch for a collaborative and community-centered gathering, as we reflect, make connections, and identify new possibilities and actions for supporting, amplifying, and critically engaging with our community’s diverse voices and thought leadership. 

Moderators: 

  • Angela Gunder, Chief Academic Officer, Online Learning Consortium
  • Dr. Cristi Ford, Principal, Jigsaw Training and Consulting, LLC
  • Dr. Kim Cliett Long, OLC Board of Directors, President and C.E.O., Organizational Concepts/Adult Learners Now

 

Registration

Registration for this event is included in your conference registration –  there are no additional steps to register for these sessions other than your general conference registration. All virtual summit sessions will be recorded and made available for on-demand viewing for one (1) year post-conference.

 

More Information

Please contact Angela Gunder at angela.gunder@onlinelearning-c.org with any questions.

Planning Committee

  • Angela Gunder, Chief Academic Officer, Online Learning Consortium
  • Madeline Shellgren, Director of Online Engagement, Online Learning Consortium 
  • Dr. Kim Cliett Long, OLC Board of Directors, President and C.E.O., Organizational Concepts/Adult Learners Now