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Short Abstract
Federal digital learning policies shift dramatically between administrations, creating compliance challenges for higher education institutions. This presentation analyzes the current administration's priorities and recent policy reversals to enable digital leaders to anticipate changes, maintain operational flexibility, and build resilient programs that survive political transitions while advancing educational innovation.
Extended Abstract
N/A
Presenting Speakers
Van Davis
Executive Director at WCET - WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies
Van Davis joined WCET in 2021 as chief strategy officer, and in 2025, he became WCET’s executive director and WICHE’s vice president for digital learning. Davis oversees all strategic and operational responsibilities of WCET’s membership, the State Authorization Network (SAN) that assists institutions with interstate compliance, and Every Learner Everywhere, which advocates for successful academic outcomes for all postsecondary education students through advances in digital learning.
Van has over 25 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, academic administrator, state policy maker, and edtech leader. He holds a Master’s and PhD in 20th Century US history with an emphasis in civil rights from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor’s in history from Southwestern University. Prior to joining WCET and WICHE, Davis served as principal at Foghlam Consulting, associate vice president at Blackboard Inc., director of innovation at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and a faculty member and academic administrator at several public and private universities with historically underrepresented student populations.
Van has over 25 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, academic administrator, state policy maker, and edtech leader. He holds a Master’s and PhD in 20th Century US history with an emphasis in civil rights from Vanderbilt University and a Bachelor’s in history from Southwestern University. Prior to joining WCET and WICHE, Davis served as principal at Foghlam Consulting, associate vice president at Blackboard Inc., director of innovation at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and a faculty member and academic administrator at several public and private universities with historically underrepresented student populations.
Surviving the Regulatory Whiplash: A Digital Leader’s Guide to Federal Policy Turbulence
Track
Leadership, Partnerships, and Organizational Strategy
Description
11/17/2025 | 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: Southern Hemisphere IV
Track: Leadership, Partnerships, and Organizational Strategy
Session Type: Leadership Network Symposium Session
Institution Level: Higher Ed
Audience Level: All
Intended Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Instructional Support, Learning & Development Professionals, Technologists, Researchers
Special Session Designation: Leaders and Administrators
Track: Leadership, Partnerships, and Organizational Strategy
Session Type: Leadership Network Symposium Session
Institution Level: Higher Ed
Audience Level: All
Intended Audience: Administrators, Faculty, Instructional Support, Learning & Development Professionals, Technologists, Researchers
Special Session Designation: Leaders and Administrators