Teach & Learn Presents: Start Smart - Planning for 2027

A trends, priorities & opportunities forecast for WiscNet members

The start of a new school year seems like a universal time for organizations (academic and otherwise) to look ahead and start planning. Those proverbial ducks won’t get themselves in a row, after all. Our next (free!) WiscNet Teach & Learn virtual session on Aug. 19 from 10-11 a.m. will compile guidance from WiscNet staff and a few WiscNet members to help you anticipate what's ahead and plan for a successful year.

Think of this like a strategic planning session in community with other WiscNet members. It’s part “Back to School” checklist, part industry trend forecast, part resource sharing. You’ll come away with useful suggestions, insight about opportunities, and even some information about a few free and low-cost solutions. Best practices and actionable advice will undoubtedly emerge during this conversation. This isn’t a sales pitch — it’s genuine resource sharing to help our members plan ahead and think strategically.

This one-hour Zoom session is ideal for any WiscNet member — the guidance will span all industries.

What the event will look like:

First, Mikayla Hensler of WiscNet will present advice and outlooks that come from each team on the WiscNet staff. The topics covered will pertain to security, communications, network infrastructure, staff support, research, and innovation. This type of guidance is kind of an area of expertise for us; serving our members and setting them up for success is what we do on a daily basis.

But who knows what it’s like to be a member more than … our members? That’s why we’ve asked four WiscNet members to share how they’re preparing ahead of the new school year.

Following WiscNet’s advice, attendees will hear from:

The K-12 perspective: James O’Hagan of Glendale-River Hills School District
The library perspective: Jen Chamberlain of WiLS
The municipality perspective: Sarah Edgerton of the City of Madison
The higher education institution perspective: Speaker coming soon!

Join us on Zoom to kick-start 2027 planning. 👇