Wednesday Keynote: Dr. Robbie Melton
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AI for All In Action
1 pm - 230 pm MT |
Dr. Robbie Melton, Vice President of Strategic SMART AI Technology Innovations, has been named the 2026 Leading African Americans in Advancing Technology, and one of the 2025 Leading Woman in AI. and selected as a founding member of the Center for Digital Education Higher Education AI Council and serves on the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) AI Commission, where she contributes to shaping the future of AI in education. In addition to her leadership roles, she is a tenured professor at Tennessee State University and an esteemed global researcher and international consultant specializing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education and Emerging Internet of Everything (IoE) technologies. Her expertise encompasses mobile devices, smartphones, tablets, wearables, smart gadgets, and immersive technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Dr. Melton has provided global presentations in over 30 countries, showcasing the emerging educational benefits of AI in higher education. She has also trained administrators on developing comprehensive frameworks for AI policies, ensuring institutions are equipped for the integration of AI technologies.
Previously, she served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Emerging Technologies at the Tennessee Board of Regents, where she was the primary developer and chief administrator for the system-wide Regents Online Degree Programs. Her numerous accolades reflect her impact on education and technology, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Education (2024), National Women of Legend (2023), induction into the USDLA Hall of Fame (2019), and recognition as a Distinguished Woman of Legend (2018). Other honors include the OLC Leadership Award (2017), WCET Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), and recognition as one of the Top 30 Technologists (2014). She was also named an Apple Distinguished Educator (2013) and a Top Fifty Technology Innovator (2012). Dr. Melton is widely known as an “Appologist” for her extensive research on best practices with mobile devices and her creation of the Mobile App Resource Center to support educational innovation. She continues to advocate for Open Educational Resources (OER) to increase global access to education and serves as an education technology trainer in Malawi and several South African countries. Her initiatives, such as “Everyone Can Code and Create” and “Academic eSports – Mixed Reality Gamification,” are advancing SMART immersive teaching and learning worldwide. Driven by a passion for equity and inclusion, Dr. Melton is a tireless advocate for empowering underserved populations, particularly Black women, to become innovators and entrepreneurs in the digital age. Her work continues to push the boundaries of education technology while fostering opportunities for all learners to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital world.
Previously, she served as Associate Vice Chancellor for Emerging Technologies at the Tennessee Board of Regents, where she was the primary developer and chief administrator for the system-wide Regents Online Degree Programs. Her numerous accolades reflect her impact on education and technology, including being named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Education (2024), National Women of Legend (2023), induction into the USDLA Hall of Fame (2019), and recognition as a Distinguished Woman of Legend (2018). Other honors include the OLC Leadership Award (2017), WCET Lifetime Achievement Award (2016), and recognition as one of the Top 30 Technologists (2014). She was also named an Apple Distinguished Educator (2013) and a Top Fifty Technology Innovator (2012). Dr. Melton is widely known as an “Appologist” for her extensive research on best practices with mobile devices and her creation of the Mobile App Resource Center to support educational innovation. She continues to advocate for Open Educational Resources (OER) to increase global access to education and serves as an education technology trainer in Malawi and several South African countries. Her initiatives, such as “Everyone Can Code and Create” and “Academic eSports – Mixed Reality Gamification,” are advancing SMART immersive teaching and learning worldwide. Driven by a passion for equity and inclusion, Dr. Melton is a tireless advocate for empowering underserved populations, particularly Black women, to become innovators and entrepreneurs in the digital age. Her work continues to push the boundaries of education technology while fostering opportunities for all learners to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital world.