It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Dr. A. Frank Mayadas, a founding board member of the Online Learning Consortium and a pioneering force in the advancement of online education.
During his tenure at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Dr. Mayadas led the Foundation’s “Anytime, Anyplace Learning” initiative, which invested millions of dollars in the research, development, and expansion of Asynchronous Learning Networks. His vision and strategic leadership helped establish online learning as a credible, rigorous, and scalable modality within higher education at a time when its potential was still being debated.
Through the Sloan Foundation’s support, the Sloan Consortium was created, an initiative that ultimately evolved into the Online Learning Consortium. Dr. Mayadas believed deeply in building a community of institutions and professionals committed to quality, access, and continuous improvement in digital learning. That belief became the foundation upon which OLC was built.
His contributions extended far beyond funding. He helped shape the standards, language, and expectations that continue to guide online, blended and digital learning today. Generations of educators, leaders, and learners have benefited from his foresight and commitment to expanding access to high-quality education.
We are profoundly grateful for Dr. Mayadas’ leadership and the lasting impact he has had on OLC and the broader field of online education. We invite you to join us in honoring his legacy and keeping his family and loved ones in your thoughts.
