Online learners now outnumber on-campus students in the U.S., signaling a fundamental shift in higher education delivery. However, meeting the growing demand for online education requires more than simply adding new courses.
To share her insight and experience on how to scale high-quality online learning while ensuring equitable access and sustainable practices, Jill Buban, the University's associate provost for online learning, will join global education leaders at HolonIQ's 24th Annual Back to School Summit, Sept. 9-11.
A nationally known expert in online strategy and innovation, Buban will participate in a discussion titled, "Scaling Online Learning: The New Majority in Higher Education," exploring strategies to expand access to high-quality digital learning programs through technology, pedagogy, and policy.
She joins Pierre Dubuc, co-founder of Open Classrooms and a pioneer in accessible digital education, and Phil Hill, publisher of the OnEdTech blog and an education technology consultant and analyst.
"At the University of Miami, our goal is to expand access, enhance quality, and ensure every learner can thrive in a digital environment," said Buban, who joined the University earlier this year. "I am excited to engage with my colleagues at the summit and share how online learning can reach even more students and lifelong learners around the world."
Buban brings a wealth of experience in digital education and higher education strategy to the discussion. Her career has spanned K–12 classrooms, higher education leadership, and innovative roles in the private sector.
From her early work supporting first-generation college students in rural New York to leading transformative online initiatives at institutions nationwide, she has consistently championed equity, accessibility, and student success in digital learning environments.
At Arizona State University, Buban forged partnerships with corporations while looking for ways to create impact and growth through educational product innovations and noncredit, or microcredential offerings.
In her role at Miami, Buban is focused on scaling the University's online programs strategically, leveraging technology to deliver engaging, flexible, and inclusive learning experiences for a diverse student population.
Buban emphasizes the importance of data-informed decision-making, evidence-based pedagogy, and cross-institution collaboration to ensure online learning meets the evolving needs of learners everywhere. Her work focuses on maintaining rigorous academic quality and integrating emerging technologies to enhance engagement and learner outcomes.
Under her leadership, the University's online programs are expanding access to high-quality education while promoting flexibility, innovation, and student success. Already, she has launched three new online master's programs: the Master of Engineering Management (M.E.M.), the Master of Arts in International Administration (M.A.I.A.), and the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.). Several others are expected to launch in Spring 2026.
The 2025 summit convenes leading voices to explore the future of education across three major tracks: Artificial Intelligence, philanthropic funding for research and outcomes, and higher education's digital transformation, including recruitment, retention, and the latest innovations in edtech.
Buban's participation highlights the University's commitment to advancing online learning and expanding access to higher education through thoughtful, student-centered innovation. She will be joined at the event by Shelby Hoffman, UOnline's executive director for programs and enrollment management.
The 24th Annual Back to School Summit is a global platform for innovation, collaboration, and transformation and one of the world's leading gatherings of global education executives, policymakers, philanthropists, and investors. Since 2001, education leaders have met in New York the week after Labor Day to share ideas and forge strong connections with fellow leaders on a mission to transform the way the world learns.
