What is the Digital Divide?
The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology, internet connectivity, and digital skills, and those who do not, limiting their opportunities for education, employment, healthcare, and full participation in society.
Keynote Speaker
Bridging the Digital Divide: AI Behind and Beyond the Walls of Our Prisons and Jails
Artificial intelligence is transforming education, employment, and the way we navigate everyday life but what happens to people who are disconnected from that transformation? For individuals behind the walls of our prisons and jails, and those returning to our communities, the AI revolution presents both extraordinary opportunities and significant risks.
This keynote explores how we can bridge the emerging AI divide by expanding responsible access to technology, strengthening digital and AI literacy, connecting education to workforce opportunities, and preparing justice-impacted individuals for a rapidly changing world. The challenge before us is bigger than providing access to technology. It is ensuring that the people who have historically been the most disconnected are not once again left behind.
We cannot prepare people for tomorrow’s workforce using yesterday’s technology.
Guest Speakers
.png)
Partnering to Address Barriers to Digital Access in Rural Colorado
How can we better support digital access for our rural neighbors? That’s what the Northeast Colorado Digital Access Coalition is all about. Join us as we share how we’ve built this cross-sector partnership to identify real-world barriers and create a path forward. We’ll discuss how we’re working together to map regional assets and challenges, as well as prioritizing funding that will make the biggest impact on Northeast Colorado communities.
.png)
Melanie Colletti
Melanie Colletti leads digital access initiatives at the Colorado Broadband Office. With a foundation of 17 years in public libraries and experience working closely with partners and stakeholders to develop Colorado’s first Digital Access Plan, Melanie is a dedicated advocate for digital inclusion. In her work supporting the Northeast Colorado Digital Access Coalition, she acts as a collaborative state partner—facilitating connection, providing key resources, and offering subject matter expertise. Melanie strives to support communities in assessing their unique digital access landscapes to thoughtfully prioritize and advance local connectivity projects across Colorado.
.png)
Tim Stahley
Serves as Director of the Colorado State University Northeast Regional Engagement Center (NREC) in Sterling, Colorado. In this role, he leads regional efforts to strengthen rural communities across Northeast Colorado through strategic partnerships, applied research, and community-driven programming. Under his leadership, NREC advances work in rural health, agriculture and food systems, community vitality, and partnership development.
Tim works closely with local governments, nonprofits, producers, schools, and residents to identify regional priorities and translate them into practical initiatives, capacity-building programs, and community-informed solutions. Tim’s work emphasizes relationship-building, data-informed decision-making, and inclusive engagement. He has led regional projects, including multi-county well-being assessments, leadership development programs, youth and workforce initiatives, and culturally responsive community events.
His approach reflects CSU’s land-grant mission by connecting university resources with local knowledge to drive sustainable rural prosperity.
Guest Speakers
Expanding Computer Ownership for Adult Learners in Colorado
Teodora Mihaylova
Serves as Project Manager for Digitunity. Originally from Bulgaria, Teodora brings extensive experience in digital development, research, and project management. With a background in initiatives like USAID’s Digital Ecosystem Country Assessment for the Pacific Islands, she has managed multinational projects and led stakeholder research supporting global development goals.
As Project Manager, Teodora oversees Digitunity’s projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and measurable outcomes. She also contributes to research, strong knowledge management, and data efforts related to computer ownership. Teodora holds a B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in European Studies from Georgetown University.
.jpg)
Karisa Tashjian
Serves as Chief Program Officer for Digitunity, a nonprofit organization working to make owning a computer possible for everyone. She helps to create cohesive, integrated systems that are locally informed, human-centered and sustainable. She advises states and counties on strategies that address supply, preparation and deployment of devices. Her work also includes elevating and sharing best practices, piloting new approaches and fostering win-win partnerships.
Prior to joining Digitunity, Karisa served as the Director of Education at Providence (RI) Public Library for 17 years. She provided strategic leadership to the library's educational, workforce development and technology initiatives. Karisa earned a Master of Education degree from George Washington University, where she specialized in Social Studies, and English as a Second Language and Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark University. She serves as board member of the Library Board of Rhode Island and Rhode Island Regional Adult Learning.
Guest Speaker
Building Instructor Confidence: Teaching Digital Literacy with the Northstar Platform
Theresa Sladek
Strategic Partnerships and Northstar Business Development Manager at Literacy Minnesota working with organizations to ascertain and implement their digital literacy needs. She trains instructors on the use of the Northstar platform and how to teach digital skills within that framework. Theresa is the Steering Committee chair for the Open Door Collective, supporting poverty reduction through adult literacy and is currently co-leading a community of practice for instructors learning the Right Question Institute technique of teaching students how to advocate for themselves. Prior to this, she taught adult literacy and developed statewide training related to adult persistence in learning. Theresa has a BS in Biology from Lewis and Clark College and a MA in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas. She worked as a counselor, project manager and corporate trainer before joining the field of education.
Colorado Digital Divide Statistics
More than 300,000 Coloradans lack broadband internet access, limiting access to education, employment, healthcare, and government services.
In 2025, approximately 94.7% of Coloradans had broadband internet access, meaning roughly 5.3% remain without broadband service.
Rural residents face greater connectivity challenges. Among Coloradans without broadband, rural residents were nearly twice as likely to report that broadband was unavailable where they live (22.4%) compared to the statewide average.
Partner Sponsor
We are a nonprofit telecommunications organization that is transforming connectivity by providing affordable broadband to under-resourced communities, including nonprofits, schools, and libraries. We reinvest our surplus into driving social change. Our products and services empower organizations to thrive in an interconnected world.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mission-telecom
Primary contact name and email: Ari Jimenez (ari.jimenez@missiontelecom.org)
Guest Speaker
Kenya Bratton
Beyond the Chatbox: The Hidden ChatGPT Features Transforming Teaching
Explore 10 practical ChatGPT and AI strategies designed to streamline lesson planning,
enhance instruction, and extend student learning beyond the classroom.
In this interactive session, adult education teachers will explore 10 easy-to-use AI strategies designed to streamline planning, enhance instruction, and support continuous student enrichment. Applicable to educators at all tech levels, this workshop demonstrates how practical AI tools like ChatGPT can save administrative time, spark
creative lesson design, and provide students with self-paced learning opportunities beyond class hours.
Through live demonstrations and hands-on prompt writing exercises, participants will see how simple AI integration preserves the essential human connection in teaching while reducing workload.
By the end of the session, participants will:
● Draft a functional lesson plan using targeted AI prompts during the session.
● Master core prompt engineering techniques with guided instruction and
real-time practice.
● Receive a reference toolkit containing reusable prompt templates and starter
guides to extend student learning beyond the classroom.
Educators will leave with ready-to-use strategies, actionable prompt templates, and confidence to responsibly adopt AI in their teaching.
Kenya Bratton has been a dedicated advocate for learners with disabilities for more than two decades. She serves as the Program Manager for the Disability and Access Resource Center (DARC) at Sweetwater Adult Education, where she and her team leverage innovative, research-based practices to drive success for adult learners. Under her leadership, the DARC program was recognized as a CASAS Promising Practice in 2024–2025. Driven by her mission of closing the disability services gap in adult education, Kenya is committed to ensuring that every interaction makes a meaningful, lasting impact for the learners she serves. She is also the author of Thriving with Differences: 10 Power Strategies for Adults with Learning Disabilities.
Guest Speaker
Bridging the Digital Divide for Workforce Success
Digital skills are essential to today’s workforce but too many adult learners encounter technology barriers on the path to employment and economic mobility. Join digitalLIFT for a conversation about how adult education and workforce partners can integrate digital skills into ESL, GED, and career pathways, equipping learners with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.
This panel will share practical strategies, lessons from the field, and examples of partnership with workforce agencies to make digital inclusion a meaningful part of workforce development. Together, we’ll explore how we can move beyond teaching technology as a standalone skill and make digital readiness part of every learner’s pathway to opportunity.
Panel: Jess Strom, Senior Program Manager; Sabrina Tam, Associate Program Director; and , Skye Downing, Deputy Director - digitalLIFT.
Colorado Digital Divide Statistics
Cost remains the largest barrier to broadband adoption. Among Coloradans without broadband access, 57.3% cite cost as the primary reason they do not subscribe. For low-income households, that number rises to 73.5%.
Colorado estimates that approximately 10% of households still lack adequate internet access, with rural communities experiencing the greatest challenges.
Some broadband analyses estimate that only about 65% of rural areas in Colorado have adequate internet access, highlighting persistent infrastructure gaps across rural and frontier communities.
Guest Speaker
.png)
Ai Literacy in Adult Education
Vi Hawes
Vi Hawes brings nearly a decade of experience in educational technology and adult learning, helping educators integrate innovative teaching practices and emerging technologies into their classrooms. As an Educational Technology Consultant and former Educational Technology Specialist at Pima Community College, she has supported faculty in designing engaging, accessible, and effective learning experiences for adult learners.Her expertise includes digital literacy, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), adult learning theory, HyFlex instruction, online learning, and instructional technology. Vi is passionate about helping educators confidently adopt AI and other emerging technologies to enhance teaching while ensuring learning remains ethical, inclusive, and learner-centered.
.png)
.png)
Partner Sponsor
For more than 50 years, KET has developed adult education curriculum and professional development resources that support high school equivalency preparation, workforce readiness, and educator success.
KET's FastForward® is a mobile-friendly online learning system aligned with the GED® test, offering self-paced instruction in math, language arts, science, and social studies. Additional resources include Workplace Essential Skills, which integrates academic and employability skills for career success, and workbook series designed for adult basic education, GED® preparation, and workforce training.
KET also provides self-paced professional development courses that help educators strengthen instruction and improve learner outcomes.
Website: KET.org/AdultEd
Email: adulted@KET.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/ket-adult-education
Facebook: facebook.com/KETAdultEd
YouTube: youtube.com/@KETAdultEd
Guest Speaker
Empowering Adult Learners Through Online Learning with KET Adult Education
Elizabeth Daniels
A long-time Adult Educator with a diverse background in teaching, education management, and library services. She has served in various roles as an Adult ESOL teacher, assessment coordinator, and Adult Ed program manager, as well as an adult services librarian. In her current role, she serves as the Adult Education Specialist with KET-Kentucky Educational Television. As a member of the team, she supports teachers and programs nationwide to implement impactful learning programs for adults striving towards their education and career goals. Throughout her 20-plus years in education, Elizabeth has maintained a commitment to the importance of lifelong learning, family literacy and a passion for empowering individuals through education.
.png)
.png)
Partner Sponsor
Burlington English was created to address the growing need for English language acquisition for work, education, and everyday life. Since launching in 2009, Burlington English has provided adult learners with an innovative online learning platform that combines classroom instruction with flexible, anytime-anywhere access to digital learning.
Built on research from linguists, educators, and software developers, Burlington English features proprietary technology, including its SpeechTrainer® system, which helps learners improve pronunciation, listening, speaking, and overall English proficiency. The platform supports career advancement and workforce readiness through practical, real-world language instruction while providing instructors with data-driven tools to monitor learner progress, identify challenges, and personalize instruction.
Website: https://www.burlingtonenglish.com/
Contact: bethany.m@burlingtonenglish.com
Guest Speaker
Burlington Workforce: Opening Doors to Workforce Opportunities
Speaker:
How can adult education programs better prepare learners for occupational training, further education, and the workplace? This session will examine the foundational and career-readiness skills learners need before entering a specialized training program. Participants will explore Burlington Foundational Skills courses, which develop math, financial literacy, and digital literacy, and Burlington Workforce Essentials courses, which focus on job-specific skills, workplace communication, and safety. The session will also show how flexible, self-paced, online learning can support existing instruction, address common durable skill gaps, and help programs create clearer pathways for long-term career success.
.jpg)
.png)
Partner Sponsor
Essential Education’s mission is to help individuals obtain their high school equivalency and beyond, while also fostering a growth mindset in learners worldwide.
Access to Education: The organization is dedicated to helping people earn their GED, HiSET, or other high school equivalency credentials, and to support them in continuing their education beyond that point.
Website: https://www.passged.com/students
Contact: meredith@essentialed.com
Closing the Digital Divide: Real-World Tools for Teaching Digital Literacy Skills
Sometimes the biggest challenge in teaching digital literacy isn't a lack of resources, but knowing how to use the ones you already have. This session addresses this challenge and provides busy teachers with actionable solutions. We deep-dive into Essential Education's Digital Literacy Implementation Guide, a powerful resource packed with over 100 classroom-tested activities, templates, and fully scripted lesson plans. We then shift focus to our Computer Essentials curriculum, providing a close look at the course content, badging features, and proven, practical strategies to significantly boost your students' digital confidence.
Join us to learn clear, straightforward, and effective methods to seamlessly weave essential technology skills into any existing program model. Emphasizing practical, actionable integration strategies through shared best practices and discussion, this training prepares you to confidently close the digital divide and cultivate lasting digital competence among your learners.
What you’ll learn:
Learn best practices for incorporating digital literacy instruction into classrooms.
Review the Computer Essentials course content and badging features.
Gain insight into optimizing student utilization of the course curriculum.
Receive access to the Digital Literacy Implementation Guide.
Charlie Weeks, M.Ed.
Manager of Implementation at Essential Education, where he partners with adult education programs across the country to support successful implementation, professional development, and instructional best practices. With nearly 20 years of experience in adult education, Charlie has served as an ESL and High School Equivalency (HSE) instructor, program administrator, and state leader, giving him a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing adult education providers.
After earning his Master of Education in School Leadership in 2012, Charlie managed local adult education programs before helping lead Oklahoma's Adult Education Division. He combines classroom, program, and state level experience to help educators strengthen instruction, improve implementation, and increase student success. Charlie is passionate about equipping adult education professionals with practical strategies and effective solutions that help learners achieve their educational and career goals.
Laura Shi
Implementation Specialist at Essential Education, where she partners with educators to ensure they have the tools and support needed to help students succeed. Originally from China, Laura immigrated to the United States as a child and is proudly bilingual.
Her personal experience as an English language learner provides her with a unique perspective that informs her work in developing instructional strategies and connecting with ESL students and their teachers. Laura has always been driven by a lifelong dream to teach and serve others. She feels deeply fortunate to work in adult education, where she can collaborate with fellow professionals to make a profoundly positive impact on students' lives every day.
Guest Speaker
Cyber-Seniors Closing the Digital Divide: Real-World Tools for Teaching Digital Literacy Skills
Charlene O' Conner
An experienced adult education and English language learning professional with a strong commitment to empowering learners through inclusive, student-centered instruction. With expertise in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), she supports adult learners in developing the language, digital, and life skills needed to succeed in their communities and the workforce.
In addition to her work as an educator, Charlene has a long history of community service, volunteering with organizations that support newcomers, seniors, families, and underserved populations. Her experience includes program development, digital literacy instruction, and community outreach, reflecting her dedication to lifelong learning and equitable access to education.
Charlene is passionate about creating welcoming learning environments that foster confidence, independence, and meaningful opportunities for adult learners.
.png)
Guest Speaker
Looking for Love in All the RIGHT Places!? Here’s How to Avoid Romance Scams Online
.png)
Sarah Russell
A dedicated non-profit director and community advocate who has spent nearly four years leading transformative digital inclusion initiatives in Northeast Ohio at Oak Hill Collaborative. Through her work bridging the digital divide, she focuses on expanding broadband access, increasing device ownership, and delivering practical digital literacy training to empower underserved populations. Drawing on a background in sociology from Youngstown State University and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, she designs programs that build real-world tech confidence with hands on teaching almost daily and long-term economic opportunity with workforce development cohorts. Beyond her equity-focused community work, Sarah brings her vision for regional growth into every initiative she touches, fostering local connections and sustainable success. Her mission remains centered on ensuring every community member has the tools, skills, and support needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world. In her free time, Sarah enjoys writing books, 3D printing, planting, and watching documentaries with her 2 cats, partner, and 18-year-old son!
Guest Speaker
Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) by Senior Planet
Jessie Hawthorn
An innovative adult educator, project manager, and servant leader with more than two decades of experience using data-driven solutions to address complex challenges. Jessie has a proven ability to lead, develop and maintain partnerships, manage grants, and drive strategic improvements to achieve organizational goals.
Currently, Jessie is the manager of the Senior Planet center in Denver. Her significant accomplishments include designing and implementing Colorado’s $1.7M Digital Navigator Pilot Program, which connected households with affordable internet, devices, and digital skills.
Additionally, from 2017-2020, Jessie managed the largest federally funded adult education grant at the Adult Learning Center in Commerce City. Jessie and her team of adult educators and support staff doubled the number of adult learners served, program sites and partnerships.
Jessie holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado Denver and a Digital Inclusion Leadership Certificate from Arizona State University.
Guest Speaker
This two-hour session equips aspiring and established entrepreneurs with the practical foundations of building a sustainable business, then shows how artificial intelligence can be woven into everyday operations to save time, cut costs, and scale faster. Attendees will leave with actionable tools they can put to work immediately, regardless of their technical background. In this session, participants will learn how to:
-
Lay a strong business foundation — clarifying your mission, market, and revenue model before you scale.
-
Identify practical, low-cost AI tools that streamline marketing, administration, customer service, and content creation.
-
Use AI to work smarter, not harder — automating repetitive tasks so you can focus on growth and strategy.
-
Avoid common pitfalls when adopting new technology, and build systems that grow with your business.
Business, Entrepreneurship & Harnessing AI to Grow Your Enterprise
Dr. Bridget C. Outlaw - CEO
Daughters of Destiny Enterprises, Inc.
Dr. Bridget C. Outlaw is a nationally recognized nonprofit executive, apostolic leader, federal &;State grant specialist, and community transformation architect with nearly 30 years of impact in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Chicago's South and West Sides.
As Founder and CEO of Daughters of Destiny Enterprises Inc. — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Chicago, Illinois — Dr. Outlaw has built one of the most comprehensive community-based training and workforce development ecosystems in the Midwest,
serving thousands of residents across multiple program divisions.
A USDOL-registered apprenticeship trainer &; sponsor operating 6 nationally certified apprenticeship programs across multiple states, Dr. Outlaw has secured millions in federal and private grant funding, launched industry-recognized training academies, and pioneered an evidence-based workforce development, entrepreneurship education, and social impact programming.
She is the recipient of an honorary street name in the City of Chicago — "Dr. Bridget C. Outlaw Way" — in recognition of her extraordinary decades of community service.
Guest Speaker
Beyond Access: SPARKing Adult Learner Engagement in a Digital World
Providing access to technology is essential—but access alone does not guarantee engagement, persistence, or success. Adult learners can have a device, internet access, online curriculum, and an array of digital tools and still struggle to remain connected to learning.
This session will explore what happens beyond access, focusing on the critical role educators continue to play in creating meaningful online learning experiences. Participants will examine practical strategies for building human connection, increasing learner engagement, creating a sense of belonging and presence, and recognizing and responding to disengagement before learners disappear.
The session will emphasize a simple idea: technology can expand opportunity, but even the best technology cannot replace the human connection created by a great teacher.
The session is designed specifically with educators serving GED/HSE, ESL, corrections, and adult literacy programs in mind and will include practical online engagement and connection strategies that participants can apply in their own settings.
Brad Coffman
Brad Coffman is an educator, administrator, author, and national presenter with more than 25 years of experience in education. He currently serves as an administrator with the Russellville School District in Arkansas and as the LOCAL Initiative Liaison for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE), supporting adult education leaders and programs across the country.
Throughout his career, Brad has led work in adult education, alternative education, virtual learning, workforce preparation, and educational leadership. His presentations focus on leadership development, learner engagement, motivation, and creating environments where people feel connected, valued, and empowered to succeed. He has presented for state, regional, and national audiences through organizations including COABE, ACT, the College Board, and others.
Brad is the author of Trail Leadership: Quiet Leadership in a Loud World. At the heart of his work is a belief in the power of people—developing leaders, building meaningful relationships, removing barriers, and creating opportunities for others to recognize their potential and succeed.
