Issue No. 29
May 2026
President’s Message
Dear GSOLE Members,
May is an exciting time to work in education. Spring courses begin to loosen their grip, students are graduating, and many of us find ourselves balancing endings with the quiet hope of beginnings. May is a moment for taking stock, for restoration, and for imagining what comes next. I hope this May brings you opportunities to restore and reimagine
As an instructor and writing center director, this season pulls me naturally toward reflection. I am turning assessments into program reports and, at the same time, allowing myself to imagine how my teaching and administrative work might shift in the year ahead. GSOLE follows a similar rhythm in the summer months as we pause to reflect and prepare for renewal in the new academic season ahead. On July 1, we will welcome our incoming president, Kevin DePew, who currently serves as our vice president. In June, we will also elect new executive board members, a secretary, and an incoming vice president. Each transition brings fresh perspectives and new energy, strengthening the collective work of our organization.
Many of our programs are likewise using the summer to reset and renew. Our certification program is engaged in assessment and curriculum updates. Our webinars team will be publishing the call for the coming year. Even our conference committee, though the February 2027 gathering feels distant at the moment, will begin imagining what that event might become.
While some work is reflective by nature, other opportunities invite immediate participation. The GSOLE Research Committee is currently accepting applications for its online literacy research project support program, with awards ranging from $500 to $2,000. These projects help sustain the kind of thoughtful, sustained inquiry that moves our field forward.
Taken together, these activities reflect a common theme. This is a season for restoring our energy, reflecting on our work, and reimagining what our professional communities can be. I am grateful to be doing that work alongside you.
Best,
Amy Cicchino
President, GSOLE
As this issue reaches you on May 10, we want to take a moment to celebrate all the mothers and mother-figures in our community. Whether you are balancing the demands of online literacy instruction with parenting, or mentoring the next generation of scholars with maternal care, we honor your dedication and the vital roles you play. May your day be filled with the same restoration and joy we wish for all our members this spring.
As the academic year winds down, we are looking forward to our upcoming organizational transitions. In accordance with GSOLE bylaws, ballots for the 2026 executive elections will be prepared and distributed to all members no later than June 1.
This year we are holding elections for Vice President, Secretary, and three (3) At-Large Board Members. Please watch your email in early June for your link to cast your vote and help shape the future leadership of our society.
Learn more about each position here →Apply for Funding
The GSOLE Research Committee invites proposals for grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 for projects related to online literacy education.
We especially welcome proposals that focus on equity, inclusion, and the work of emerging scholars or underrepresented groups.
Fresh Insights
Scott Ortolano | Effective Practices
Cat S. Williams-Monardes | Book Review
Read Review →Brian Harrell | Book Review
Read Review →Research in Online Literacy Education (ROLE) is currently accepting proposals, due November 1, 2026. This issue engages with the now seemingly ever-expanding conversation surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and online writing instruction (OWI) and research.
See the full call for proposals →GSOLE is proud to support research and excellence in online literacy education through our annual grants and awards programs.
Recognizing outstanding dissertation research that contributes to the field of online literacy education, particularly studies focusing on pedagogy and inclusive practice.
Celebrating excellence in the daily practice of OLI, awarded to those whose instructional materials and course design demonstrate exceptional commitment to student success.
Interested in applying for a grant or nominating a colleague?
View All Awards & CriteriaJoin us for regular Salon events, spaces where you can informally gather to talk about timely topics with other GSOLE members and online literacy educators. These events take place on the first Tuesday of every month and are open to anyone, regardless of GSOLE membership status.
Visit the Cybersalon Hub →The Basic OLI Certification program offers eight month-long courses facilitated by experts. Register for a single module ($25) or enroll in the full certification for a 3-year window.
Enrollment Details →Beyond our formal events, GSOLE thrives on the daily interactions between members in our forums and working groups. Get involved today!
Ways to Get Involved →Scholarship Spotlight
ROLE Issue 4.2 (2025)
The latest issue of Research in Online Literacy Educators (ROLE) is now available! Issue 4.2 (2025) is a tribute to ROLE’s founding editor, Michael Greer, and the values he held dear: access, student agency, and the ability of online educators to respond to emerging writing technologies. Please check out this issue and celebrate our contributing authors: Jessie Borgman, Casey McArdle, Ann Marie Francis, Heidi McCauley, Cat Mahaffey, Justin Cary, and Jason Snart.
Read ROLE 4.2OLOR Reviews Piece (2026)
Harrell, B. (2026). Reframing Online Writing Pedagogy: Review of Better Practices: Exploring the Teaching of Writing in Online and Hybrid Spaces. OLOR Reviews.
Read the ReviewOLI Publications
If you are looking for some OLI reading over the break, check out this new publication from WAC Clearinghouse by GSOLE members Jennifer Cunningham, Mary K. Stewart, Natalie Stillman-Webb, and Lyra Hilliard. This book represents the culmination of years of research on applying the Community of Inquiry framework to online writing courses and is a valuable contribution to OLI scholarship and research.
Cunningham, Jennifer M., Mary K. Stewart, Natalie Stillman-Webb, & Lyra Hilliard. (2025). The Community of Inquiry Framework in Writing Studies: Designing for Learning with Peer Review. The WAC Clearinghouse; University Press of Colorado.
Conference Opportunities
From June 4-7, Computers & Writing will host their 2026 conference, “Writing the Anthropocene: Digital Rhetorics and Sustainable Change.” With options for virtual or in-person attendance, presenters will share their work that engages with sustainability not only in environmental terms, but also in relation to labor, pedagogy, technology, and community, including online literacy instruction.
Learn more here →Are you a graduate student interested in online literacy education? Join our Graduate Organization (GSOLE-GO) to connect with peers, find mentorship, and build your professional network.
Learn More About GSOLE-GO