Digital Education Summit 2026 | Registration Open
Spring has officially sprung, which means the 15th Annual Digital Education Summit (#DES26) is just around the corner!
SHSU Online’s DES26, a free, fully online event, will be held on Thursday, June 25, and Friday, 26, 2026, bringing together educators, instructional designers, academic leaders, and digital learning professionals from across the globe to exchange ideas, showcase research, and share practical strategies. The two-day event highlights best practices, emerging trends, and forward-thinking approaches that support high-quality digital teaching and meaningful online learning experiences. Day 1 focuses on digital education best practices, trends in digital education, and more. Day 2 concentrates on faculty development with practical takeaways, how-tos, tech tips, and insights.
Keynote speakers for the first and second day of DES26 have been selected, providing influential voices from within the field of higher education and beyond. The Day 1 keynote speaker is Dr. Michelle Weise, an author, podcast host, and Chief Impact Officer of The Kern Family Foundation. A former Fulbright Scholar and a graduate of Harvard and Stanford, Weise was named one of 30 management and leadership thinkers in the world to watch by Thinkers50. The Day 2 keynote speaker is Dr. Justin R. Louder, Associate Vice President for Academic Innovation at Blackboard, where he leads strategic initiatives in digital learning, AI integration, and institutional transformation across higher education. Dr. Louder’s career spans over 18 years of experience, serving as Associate Vice Provost at Texas Tech University and a former chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Learning Technology Advisory Committee.
Some additional information and deadlines about DES26:
Call for ProposalsThe deadline has been extended to April 17!
- Day 1 (Call for Proposals Open) will highlight best practices, emerging trends, and fresh ideas in digital education.
- Day 2 will focus on faculty development, providing hands-on sessions, practical strategies, and insights into the future of Blackboard from experts across SHSU Online and TSUS affiliates.
If you have innovative ideas, effective strategies, or valuable experiences to share, we encourage you to submit a proposal. We are looking for engaging sessions on topics such as digital resources that enhance instruction, effective use of AI in teaching and learning, designing interactive and engaging online and hybrid courses, digital accessibility and emerging practices in digital education, and anything else you think would be valuable for your fellow digital educators.
Submission Details
- Abstract up to 250 words plus key takeaways
- Presenter bio up to 100 words
Registration Open
Join SHSU Online June 25–26, 2026, for this free, two-day virtual event focused on advancing excellence in online teaching and learning, featuring innovative ideas, practical strategies, and opportunities to connect, learn, and grow.
We invite educators, instructional designers, administrators, innovators, and those interested in digital higher education to join us for this dynamic event focused on the evolving landscape of digital learning.