When I first stepped into the role of Conference Chair for OLC Innovate 2026, I carried with me a quiet but persistent question: What does innovation in digital learning actually require of us right now, at this moment? It’s a question I’ve been sitting with for a while, and the more I reflect, the more convinced I am that we’re standing at a uniquely important inflection point in our field. The rapid shifts in technology, learner expectations, institutional priorities, and workforce realities aren’t just nudging us toward new approaches; they’re demanding that we rethink, recalibrate, and reimagine what learning looks like.
This year’s OLC Innovate conference is built around that exact need. Not innovation for its own sake, not shiny objects, and certainly not disruption without direction, but collective creativity with purpose. The work ahead of us requires a kind of innovation grounded in humanity, equity, and collaboration. And this is why Innovate 2026 matters so deeply to me: it is a space where we can gather not to admire the challenges in front of us, but to re-envision what’s possible – together.
Why This Moment Matters
Over the past year, I’ve found myself in conversations with instructors, instructional designers, administrators, and students who all seem to be navigating the same collective stretch: we are being asked to do more, serve more, support more, and innovate more in environments that are often stretched thin. And yet, even in that complexity, I’m seeing something beautiful emerge. People are asking better questions. They’re noticing what truly matters. They’re designing with greater intentionality, leading with more empathy, and building learning experiences that reflect the realities of today’s learners who are more diverse, more mobile, more experienced, and more deeply invested in flexibility than ever before.
In many ways, this collective stretch is reshaping our understanding of innovation itself. Innovation right now isn’t about speed. It’s about alignment. It’s about grounding our work in the experiences of our learners and educators. It’s about recognizing that digital learning is no longer the “alternative” pathway; it is a central and essential part of higher education’s future. And for the first time in a long time, we have both the opportunity and responsibility to shape that future with care.
How Innovate 2026 Reflects OLC’s Mission and Evolving Priorities
When the planning team began shaping Innovate 2026, we grounded ourselves in OLC’s mission: creating community and knowledge around quality online, blended, and digital learning while driving innovation. That mission has always centered on elevating both the practice and promise of digital learning, and it guided every conversation as we explored what educators and learners truly need right now. As our field continues to evolve, OLC’s priorities are evolving too- focusing on strengthening community, advancing quality, and supporting meaningful, thoughtful approaches to innovation. Innovate 2026 reflects that shift. It’s designed not just as a conference, but as a collective space where we can examine challenges with honesty, explore emerging possibilities with curiosity, and build forward momentum together.
For instance, we know that AI continues to reshape learning and work, not in abstract, theoretical ways, but in deeply practical, day-to-day realities for educators and learners alike. Rather than treating AI as a monolith or a magic solution, Innovate 2026 focuses on human-centered AI: how we design, teach, support, and lead in ways that keep people at the heart of technology-enhanced learning.
We’re also seeing institutions make significant shifts toward flexibility not only in modality, but in policy, assessment, curriculum design, and student support. That’s why Innovate emphasizes models of instruction and operations that expand belonging, especially for learners who are historically underserved in higher education.
And of course, at the soul of OLC is the commitment to community. This year’s program highlights collaborative work more than ever, from cross-institution partnerships, to team-led sessions, to hands-on learning spaces that invite participation rather than performance. Innovation grows where people feel connected, curious, and safe to experiment, and I’m proud that Innovate 2026 is shaping up to be exactly that kind of space.
What I’m Most Excited for Participants to Experience
Whenever I think about Innovate, I find myself returning to small moments: the quiet conversation between two strangers who suddenly realize they share the same challenge; the hum of energy in a virtual workshop when someone tries a new idea for the first time; the collective “aha” during a session that reframes something we thought we already understood. Those moments are the beating heart of this conference, and they’re the ones I’m most looking forward to seeing this year.
But if I had to choose a few highlights, here’s what I’m personally most excited about:
1. Spaces for Real Dialogue and Shared Problem-Solving
We’ve intentionally designed more interactive, hands-on (virtually!) environments where participants can explore problems together, not just passively listen to solutions. These spaces are built to foster connection, creativity, and genuine exchange. I’m excited for the moments when someone says, “I’ve been struggling with this for months,” and another person replies, “Me too. Let’s figure it out.”
2. Programming That Meets the Moment
This year’s themes reflect the real complexities and aspirations educators are navigating. You’ll see sessions that grapple with AI literacy, rethinking assessment, building inclusive online ecosystems, designing for flexibility, revitalizing teaching culture, and aligning digital learning with institutional strategy in thoughtful, practitioner-centered ways.
3. A Community That Shows Up for Each Other
Innovate has always been about community, but this year, it feels especially important. Our work can sometimes be solitary, especially in remote environments, and many of us carry more responsibilities than ever. Innovate 2026 offers a chance to breathe, reconnect, and remember that we are not doing this work alone. I’m excited for participants to experience that sense of belonging and renewal.
Looking Ahead
As we approach Innovate 2026, I keep coming back to one belief: innovation is a collective act. None of us can move this work forward alone – not across institutions, roles, or disciplines. But together? We can reimagine digital learning in ways that honor learners, empower educators, and strengthen the future of higher education.
My hope is that this conference becomes a moment of clarity, connection, and possibility for everyone who joins us. Whether you arrive seeking solutions, inspiration, community, or simply space to think, I believe you’ll find something meaningful waiting for you.
And I can’t wait to meet you there.
