Full Agenda
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Lunch & Opening PLENARY 1
Setting the Scene: Kick off AnchorNets with SHLB’s new Executive Director Joey Wender where he sits down with major thought leaders in broadband space and engages the audience to debate the big questions facing anchors and their communities.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM WORKSHOP 1
Doing More With Less? Overcoming the Scarcity Mindset to Achieve Sustainable Digital Opportunity
As federal funding ebbs and digital demands grow, how can anchor institutions embed digital access, skills, and support into long-term service delivery? This series of interactive workshops explores practical, scalable models for sustaining digital inclusion efforts—led by community organizations, libraries, and local governments.
Featured Discussions:
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Bringing Digital Services into Core Care: The Digital Life Exchange Model: Learn how KC Digital Drive’s DLX model empowers case managers to treat digital needs like housing or food—integrating access and literacy into the core of human services.
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New Tricks from Old Dogs: Lessons from Digital Inclusion Veterans: Hear real-world insights from long-time practitioners who’ve adapted through federal shifts—from BTOP to IIJA—and kept digital equity work alive.
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Stretch, Shift, Sustain: Keeping Digital Skills Alive Without a Budget: Explore how libraries, especially in rural areas, continue delivering digital training and job-readiness programs even after the funding runs out.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM WORKSHOP 2
AI in Education: Exploring the Intersection Between AI, Infrastructure, and Public Trust
As artificial intelligence becomes embedded in education, workforce, and public services, anchor institutions face both opportunities and challenges. This workshop track explores how AI can be responsibly integrated into schools, libraries, and community programs—with a focus on governance, literacy, access, and ethics.
Featured Discussions:
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Ethical AI Governance for Community Anchors: Dr. Pierrette Renée Dagg shares lessons from Merit Network’s work developing AI governance frameworks to protect privacy, promote transparency, and build public trust in education and municipal systems.
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The Universal Connectivity Imperative: Ji Soo Song presents SETDA’s latest report outlining policy recommendations and strategies to sustain digital access in K–12 schools and ensure equitable AI integration.
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AI in the Classroom and Beyond: Leaders from Common Sense, Khan Academy, Code.org, and OpenAI discuss how communities are building AI literacy across students, families, and educators.
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AI-Powered Learning in K–12: Russ Selkin explores best practices for district-wide AI adoption—from personalized learning to scalable, ethical implementation backed by strong digital infrastructure.
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Innovation in Action: AI & Quantum Literacy: Michael Keough, CIO at Region 16 Education Service Center in Amarillo, TX, shares how their robust network powers cutting-edge initiatives, including AI systems, advanced data center management, and a pioneering quantum literacy program—all supporting students and educators across the region.
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
The Pole Attachment Problem
Billions in state and federal broadband funding—especially through BEAD—are driving the push toward universal connectivity. But one major obstacle could slow everything down: utility pole attachments.
This session unpacks how pole permitting delays and unpredictable costs are threatening broadband deployment timelines—and what states can do about it. Hear from state officials, broadband offices, and industry experts on how to digitize, standardize, and streamline pole attachment processes. Learn best practices to reduce delays, cut costs, and keep BEAD-funded projects on track to connect unserved communities faster.
2:15 PM - 2:45 PM
Networking Break
2:45 PM - 4:00 PM
In the Air: How Spectrum Policy Impacts Anchors
From Wi-Fi to private networks, spectrum access plays a critical role in how schools, libraries, and health centers connect their communities. This session explores the latest developments in spectrum policy and what they mean for anchor institutions. Experts from advocacy, policy, and industry will break down the opportunities and challenges ahead—helping attendees understand how to engage in the spectrum conversation and ensure anchors aren’t left behind.
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM
Networking Break
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM PLENARY 2
USF Contribution Reform: How Do We Solve That Problem?
The FCC’s Universal Service Fund–which funds critical programs like E-rate and the Rural Health Care Program–plays a critical role in ensuring affordable broadband across America. After the recent SCOTUS decision, it’s more important than ever to modernize the fund and put it on more stable and sustainable financial footing. This breakout panel will discuss the nuts and bolts of expanding the USF's contribution base.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Reception Sponsored by Broadband Legal Strategies
Join us in the hotel’s beautiful atrium for drinks and appetizers at this reception sponsored by Broadband Legal Strategies—celebrating their 10th anniversary!
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
After Party Drinks
Keep the celebration going at the AnchorNets After Party—join us for drinks, bites, and great company!
Location: Highline RxR 2010 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA
8:00AM - 8:45 PM
Breakfast
8:45 AM - 9:30 AM
Keynote with Tracie D. Hall
Information Islands: The Rise of Co-Intelligence, the Necessity of Civic Fluency, and the Decline of Human Literacy
This session explores how digital networks are reshaping collective intelligence—and what’s lost when human literacy and civic understanding lag behind. A keynote presentation sets the stage, followed by a conversation between TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World, Tracie Hall, and former SHLB Board Chair and University of Washington's iSchool Program Chair, Cindy Aden. They will unpack the risks of fragmented “information islands” and the urgent need for civic fluency in a networked world.
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
Networking Break
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
USF Contribution Reform: How Do We Solve That Problem?
The FCC’s Universal Service Fund–which funds critical programs like E-rate and the Rural Health Care Program–plays a critical role in ensuring affordable broadband across America. After the recent SCOTUS decision, it’s more important than ever to modernize the fund and put it on more stable and sustainable financial footing. This breakout panel will discuss the nuts and bolts of expanding the USF's contribution base.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Better Broadband Data Mapping with Crowd-Sourced Speed Testing
Discover how crowd-sourced internet speed tests are transforming broadband mapping—and what that means for students and communities. This session dives into real-world data collected along students’ daily routes to school, revealing major gaps in official broadband coverage maps. In one California district, for example, speed test data showed 27% of residents were unserved—compared to just 3% on the government map.
Join leaders from school districts, state broadband offices, and analytics firms as they explore how this data is reshaping infrastructure planning and policy decisions. While the focus is on K–12, the conversation extends to libraries, colleges, and healthcare institutions—underscoring that broadband is a basic utility for learning, health, and opportunity.
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Beyond the Hype: How Schools Are Building Real AI Literacy
Forget the buzzwords—this session dives into how school districts are taking the lead on AI education through meaningful research partnerships. Over the past three years, these collaborations have focused on building students’ foundational competencies in AI, not just chasing the latest tech trends.
Join us for a forward-thinking conversation on what it really takes to prepare the next generation for an AI-driven world.
9:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Rural Healthcare Workshop
Join this interactive workshop to dive deep into the Rural Health Care (RHC) program—what’s working, what’s changing, and what’s needed next. This workshop starts with a panel of experienced RHC participants who have successfully navigated the application process, secured funding, and expanded broadband connectivity to support critical healthcare services in rural communities. From overcoming eligibility hurdles to flipping the switch on new network infrastructure, this session offers both policy insights and practical strategies for using broadband to transform rural healthcare delivery.
Then, we'll welcome staff from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). They will provide key updates from USAC, followed by a listening session designed to elevate your questions, concerns, and ideas directly with program administrators.
Whether you're new to the RHC program or looking to improve your approach, this workshop is your opportunity to connect, learn, and help shape the future of rural health connectivity.
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
E-Rate Efficiency: Maximizing E-Rate as a Statewide Consortium
Statewide E-Rate consortia are proving to be powerful tools for driving digital opportunity in schools and libraries. By streamlining procurement, simplifying applications, and maximizing funding, these coordinated efforts help anchor institutions get connected faster—and more affordably.
This session will explore successful statewide strategies, drawing on lessons from North Carolina’s model, where a long-standing consortium has secured over $140 million in E-Rate support in a single year and achieved near-universal fiber connectivity for public schools. Attendees will learn how centralized support, data dashboards, and shared tools can reduce administrative burden and improve transparency.
Whether you're building a new consortium, strengthening an existing one, or seeking practical ways to improve your E-Rate outcomes, this session will offer real-world insights and opportunities for cross-state collaboration.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Getting to $30: ACP's Lessons for the Future of Universal Service
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) brought millions of households online—proving that targeted subsidies work. As the future of broadband affordability shifts and the Universal Service Fund faces legal and financial uncertainty, what lessons can we take from ACP’s success? This fireside chat will explore what ACP revealed about subsidy levels, enrollment strategies, and the path forward for sustainable, universal connectivity.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
What's Next for BEAD? A Conversation with State Broadband Leaders
With BEAD implementation underway, what challenges and opportunities are emerging on the ground? Join state broadband leaders for a forward-looking conversation about what's working, what's not, and what’s next. Hear insights from state leaders as they discuss permitting, partnerships, anchor institution engagement, and how states are navigating the path to universal connectivity.
12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Networking Break
12:15 PM - 12:45 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Fireside Chat with FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez
Join us for a special Fireside Chat with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a true broadband champion. We’ll dive into the future of connectivity and why Commissioner Gomez continues to be a powerful advocate for anchor institutions and unserved communities.
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM
Networking Break
1:45 PM - 4:00 PM
E-Rate Workshop
This interactive workshop brings together SHLB members and E-Rate practitioners for a timely discussion on the future of the E-Rate program. The conversation will include a collaborative policy discussion focused on streamlining implementation, addressing current challenges, and shaping recommendations for the next five-year budget cycle. A panel of E-Rate experts will explore practical strategies to improve efficiency, increase access, and ensure the program continues to meet the evolving connectivity needs of schools and libraries.
Whether you're a seasoned applicant or new to E-Rate, this is your chance to engage directly with program leaders and help influence the future of one of the nation’s most impactful broadband initiatives.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
A City's Journey to Revitalization through Digital Opportunity
The City of St. Louis will delve into the historical context behind its segregation and the systemic loss of equity that followed. City representatives will discuss their multi-layered strategy to address these long-standing disparities through intentional investments in digital infrastructure. A key focus will be on how the City is leveraging community broadband to revitalize underserved neighborhoods, promote digital equity, and create new opportunities for economic and educational empowerment. By strategically placing community connectivity hubs and learning labs in historically under-resourced areas, the City aims to bridge the digital divide and lay the foundation for inclusive growth. This ongoing initiative reflects a broader commitment to ensuring every resident—regardless of zip code—has access to the tools and resources needed to thrive in a modern, connected world.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
A Comprehensive Strategy for Federal Broadband Funding: What's Working, What's Missing, and What's Next
With federal broadband funding spread across multiple programs—each with its own goals, rules, and agency oversight—how do we create a cohesive strategy that truly advances universal connectivity? This panel brings together experts to break down the current federal landscape. We’ll explore what’s working, where the gaps remain, and what coordinated steps policymakers, providers, and anchor institutions can take to align funding streams and maximize impact.
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Enhancing Rural Health Care Resilience
Reliable broadband is the backbone of digital health—especially in rural communities. This session explores how subsidy programs like the FCC’s Rural Health Care Program are helping anchor institutions sustain and expand telehealth services, improve cybersecurity, and bridge healthcare gaps.
Featuring insights from UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation and Merit Network’s statewide pilot, the panel will highlight successful strategies for leveraging federal reimbursements, navigating funding cycles, and future-proofing rural health infrastructure.
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM
Networking Break
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Extreme Conditions, Extraordinary Response: Recovery After Natural Disasters
The images were unimaginable – raging wildfires in California, devastating floods in West Virginia, and in September 2024, Hurricane Helene’s punishing blow to Western North Carolina. Across the country, natural disasters have displaced families, triggered landslides, overwhelmed critical infrastructure, and tested the resilience of entire communities.
This panel brings together leaders and representatives from the states most impacted – North Carolina, California, West Virginia, and others – to share their firsthand experiences responding to these events. Together, they will go beyond the headlines to offer a deeper, more nuanced look at the challenges faced during and after these crises, and the paths toward recovery.
This conversation will spotlight the innovative solutions, tough lessons, and collaborative strategies that emerged from grassroots action rooted in community knowledge to public-private partnerships that bridged gaps in infrastructure and services. This panel gets beyond hardship with a forward-looking dialogue offering insights and actionable takeaways for building stronger, more resilient, and better-connected communities nationwide.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Powering Rural Innovation: How Middle Mile and Edge Infrastructure Enable AI Across Communities
Discover how middle-mile fiber networks and edge data centers are unlocking the power of AI in rural markets. This session spotlights a real-world model from the Texas Panhandle, where advanced infrastructure is being used to support smart agriculture, personalized learning, modernized healthcare, and digital government services. Learn how strategic investments in connectivity are transforming rural communities—and what it takes to replicate this success elsewhere.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Closing the Gap: Broadband Affordability, State Innovation, and the Connectivity Imperative
This session will explore the evolving policy landscape around broadband affordability and its downstream impact on education and health access. Panelists will discuss new research into the K-12 digital divide, recent state-level approaches like New York’s Affordable Broadband Act, and how these efforts intersect with telehealth, equity, and long-term digital inclusion strategies.
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Awards Ceremony
Join us in celebrating both SHLB members and public leaders who are Broadband Champions!
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Speed Networking Sponsored by Finley Engineering
Skip the stress, keep the small talk! This guided (and seated) speed networking session sponsored by Finley Engineering helps you take the guesswork out of networking. Let our host lead the way as you make meaningful connections, one timed conversation at a time.
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Reception Sponsored by Zayo
Raise a glass at this reception sponsored by Zayo Education, SHLB's proud partner in advancing connectivity for the anchor institutions that power our communities.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
SHLB Board Dinner (Invite Only)
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Breakfast
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM PLENARY 4
The USF Bipartisan Working Group
Join SHLB’s Joey Wender in conversation with Congressional staff on the newly relaunched bipartisan USF Working Group. Hear insider perspectives on USF's future, upcoming reforms, and what it means for broadband access nationwide.
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Networking Break
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Securing the Digital Classroom: E-Rate’s Role in K–12 Cyber Infrastructure
This session will focus on strategic, district-wide cybersecurity planning and implementation, leveraging the E-Rate Pilot Program and a California-specific cybersecurity program. We'll explore how to build scalable, resilient infrastructure that protects thousands of students and staff. We'll delve into the challenges of managing diverse technology environments and how to utilize E-Rate funding to implement advanced security solutions, including threat detection, data loss prevention, and endpoint security.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Research & Education Networks Advancing Community Healthcare
Medical-grade broadband is essential for modern healthcare—especially in rural and underserved areas. This session highlights how state Research & Education (R&E) networks are expanding telehealth access through community partnerships and smart use of funding like the Healthcare Connect Fund.
Hear from leaders at UETN, MCNC, and AREON as they share real-world strategies for building secure, high-capacity broadband networks that support clinics, hospitals, and medical training institutions. Learn how R&E networks are bridging the gap between education and healthcare to strengthen community well-being.
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Bridging the Digital Divide with Cultural Awareness
Closing the digital divide requires more than infrastructure—it demands cultural understanding and community trust. This session explores how policymakers and practitioners can better engage diverse communities to ensure federal broadband programs truly reach those they’re meant to serve.
Panelists will highlight how culturally responsive approaches to digital literacy, affordability, and outreach can unlock lasting economic and educational benefits nationwide.
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Networking Break
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Impact of Federal Dollars on Library Connectivity
In every community across the country, libraries advance literacy, digital skills building, and workforce development. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) provides the only dedicated source of federal funding for the 125,000 libraries across the country through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
Federal investments such as LSTA boost digital opportunity for all and advance connectivity, digital literacy, and inclusion so every American can achieve their economic, educational, and social goals. Efforts to cut library funding harm communities and further widen digital opportunity gaps. Learn more about how LSTA funds have worked to bridge the digital divid,e including supporting programs like E-Rate. An expert panel will break down the various ways the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funds access and connectivity and how this funding supports communities across the country.
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Broadband in Action: Empowering Anchor Institutions and Advancing Community Impact
Broadband is about more than access—it’s about opportunity. This session spotlights grantees of the Connecting Minority Communities (CMC) Pilot Program, including HBCUs, TCUs, and other MSIs, as they build high-speed infrastructure, boost digital literacy, and drive workforce development in underserved areas.
Hear directly from campus leaders and the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives on lessons learned, replicable strategies, and how broadband investments are powering long-term community growth.
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
How Hot Spots and Public Wi-Fi Help Close the Digital Divide
Discover how innovative public Wi-Fi initiatives and hotspot programs are connecting underserved communities and expanding access to essential online resources. This session will showcase the best use cases from schools, libraries, and local governments that are using these solutions to bridge gaps in affordability and availability—bringing reliable internet to those who need it most.
11:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Grab & Go Lunch
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PLENARY 5
The Future of Anchor Connectivity: A Public Strategy Session with SHLB
Join SHLB for an interactive conversation to help shape our coalition's strategic priorities for the next 3–5 years. This session invites feedback from the field on the most pressing needs and opportunities facing anchor institutions—and how SHLB can lead the way in advancing broadband equity and connectivity nationwide. Your insights will help kickstart our strategic planning process and guide our collective path forward.