Eastern to host presentation on State's new Digital Equity Plan

Willimantic, CT (10/08/2024) — Eastern Connecticut State University will host a presentation titled "Advancing Digital Equity in Connecticut" on Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. in the Student Center Theatre. The featured speaker will be Doug Casey, executive director of the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology.

Casey will discuss the new State of Connecticut Digital Equity Plan (approved in March 2024), a comprehensive strategy designed to address the growing opportunities and challenges of living in a society increasingly reliant on digital tools and the skills to use them. The plan aims to ensure that all Connecticut residents have equitable access to technology and the ability to utilize it for education, career advancement, health/wellness and civic engagement.

"Access to education remains a central focus of the State Digital Equity Plan," said Casey. "In a state with nearly universal broadband availability, we see a concerning number of residents without computers, reliable connections and the skills to use them effectively. Our five-year plan aims to address the often nuanced barriers to technology adoption and use, leveraging federal funds overseen at the state level and implemented through local, trusted partners."

Eastern Connecticut State University invites students, faculty, staff, and the wider community to attend this informative session and learn about Connecticut's digital initiative to bridge the digital divide. With a focus on education and equitable access, the plan will provide valuable insights into how technology can transform lives and empower individuals and communities.

Event Details:

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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2024-25 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 14 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.

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