Broadband Breakfast on August 26, 2026: A Distance Learning Update
This panel takes stock of distance learning today, examining connectivity gaps, funding and pedagogy.
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Join Broadband Breakfast Live Online for an update on distance learning and the state of connectivity for students outside the classroom, from K-12 through higher education. Years after the pandemic pushed schools online, questions remain about how districts and campuses sustain off-campus access, what role E-Rate and other federal programs still play, and whether the homework gap is narrowing or simply changing shape. Colleges face their own version of the problem, with commuter students, rural learners and online degree programs all depending on connections the institution does not control. Broadband Breakfast has followed these developments closely, and this panel brings together K-12 and higher education leaders, providers and policy experts to assess where things stand. The discussion will take place at Broadband Breakfast's regular 12 Noon ET time.
Panelists
- Pat Cassella, Executive Director, USDLA
- Dr. Robbie Melton, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Tennessee State University
- Dr. Shana Garrett, Dean, Walden University
- Dr. Alex Salas, President, DelMarVa distance learning association chapter
- Drew Clark (moderator), CEO and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast
Broadband Breakfast
Dr. Shana Garrett is an authentic leader within the higher education industry with the savvy for both talent and business assessments involving dynamic situations and challenges while being focused on results and strategic resolutions. Dr. Garrett has been highly successful in the higher education field, both traditional and proprietary education for the past 20 years as a program administrator, dean, practitioner, as well as faculty. She currently serves as a Dean for Walden University.
Pat Cassella has been a presence within the high tech industry for more than 35 years with leadership roles in Sales, Marketing, Product Development and Engineering. He has been involved with the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) for more than 15 years and is the current Executive Director for the association. Pursuing his passion for engineering, he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Bridgeport and a Master’s of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of New Haven. He has spent the past 25 years within the IP video communications market as a sales, marketing and product architect within the Government, Education, Corporate and Medical markets.
Alexandra Salas, Ph.D., is an educator, strategist, and organizational leader whose work bridges digital learning, innovation, public policy, global education, and wellness. With a career spanning higher education leadership, nonprofit development, teaching, program design, and cross-sector collaboration, she brings a distinctive interdisciplinary perspective to building meaningful learning experiences and future-focused initiatives.
Dr. Robbie Melton is the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President for SMART Global Technology Innovation Strategies. She is also a tenured professor and former dean of Graduate School for Tennessee State University. Dr. Melton is also founder and CEO of ‘RobbieTech4Teach’ and a tenured full professor at Tennessee State University (TSU); formally (20 years) Associate Vice Chancellor of Mobilization Emerging Technology for Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) assigned to develop the system’s Strategic Emerging IOE Technology Planning and provide system-wide Professional Development and Faculty Training related to education technology support and services for teaching, learning, training, and workforce development, product testing, pilots and research.
Breakfast Media LLC CEO Drew Clark has led the Broadband Breakfast community since 2008. An early proponent of better broadband, better lives, he initially founded the Broadband Census crowdsourcing tool to collect and verify broadband data left unpublished by the Federal Communications Commission. As CEO and Publisher, Clark presides over the leading media community advocating for higher-capacity internet everywhere through topical, timely and intelligent coverage. Clark also served as head of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a state broadband initiative.
