Keynote Speaker - Dr. Bonni Stachowiak
Rutgers Online Learning Conference
Held March 16, 2026, RUOnlineCon is a premier event focused on the evolving online and hybrid education field. It provides a space for educators, administrators, and students to discuss and share insights on the latest trends and innovations in digital pedagogy.
Registration Now Open!
RUOnlineCon welcomes faculty, staff, and students from Rutgers and institutions across the country who are interested in online learning. The conference is held virtually and is free for members of the Rutgers community.
For colleagues external to Rutgers, we offer affordable registration options:
Individuals ($29) | Groups of 6 or more ($149) | Institutional Pass for 50 or more ($299)
Schedule At-a-Glance
For a more detailed description of the sessions and schedule, visit our Full Program List.
Table shows the day's times and session titles. Rows are keyboard-focusable; use Tab to navigate.For
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| Opening | |
| – | Welcome Remarks |
| – | Session A |
| – | Session B |
| – | Session C |
| – | Break |
| – | Keynote |
| – | Session D |
| – | Session E |
| – | Session F |
| – | Closing Remarks |
Our 2026 Keynote Speaker
Our 2026 Keynote Speaker
Dr. Bonni Stachowiak
Bonni Stachowiak is a teacher and learner at heart, always searching for better questions to spark curiosity and imagination. She serves as dean of teaching and learning and professor of business and management at Vanguard University of Southern California.
Bonni is the creator and host of Teaching in Higher Ed, a weekly podcast exploring the art and science of teaching. Since its launch in 2014, the show has surpassed five million downloads, received a MERLOT Classics Award, and has been featured in Inside Higher Ed, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Times Higher Education, and EdSurge.
Bonni holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University and earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Chapman University. She speaks regularly at conferences and campuses on topics like curiosity, digital pedagogy, and ethical leadership. She often joins her husband, Dave Stachowiak, as a co-host on his Coaching for Leaders podcast. Bonni and Dave are raising two curious kids who keep the whole family’s love for learning alive.
RUOnlineCon 2026 Keynote
Curiosity, Connection, and Creativity: Cornerstones of Engaged Learning
Keeping students engaged requires intentional design and a sustained, genuine presence. Together, we will explore three cornerstones of engaged learning—curiosity, connection, and creativity—and how they can be cultivated across asynchronous, hybrid, and online environments. We will investigate practical approaches that foster meaningful interaction, sustain motivation, and strengthen learning outcomes, drawing inspiration and examples from past guests on the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast. The session will also consider how generative AI presents both challenges and opportunities, and how pedagogical approaches can support and appropriately challenge students as they learn.
Featured Speakers
Explore some of our featured presenters below or view the full list.
Changing the World Through CommUNITY Service and Social Innovation
AI Chatbots for Mental Health Nutrition Training
Responsible AI for Online Learning at Institutional Scale
Feedback as Pedagogy: Teaching Through SpeedGrader
Supporting Children with Autism: Visual Supports & PBS
How Much is Too Much? Navigating the Responsible Usage of AI
About the Conference
Through engaging presentations, participants share innovative teaching practices, discuss emerging technologies, and address the challenges and opportunities in digital learning environments. The conference emphasizes practical applications and evidence-based strategies that enhance student engagement, promote inclusive learning, and advance academic excellence in online and hybrid formats.
