In Memoriam: A. Frank Mayadas

Authors

  • Peter Shea University at Albany, State University of New York
  • Eric Fredericksen
  • Anthony Picciano

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v30i1.5849

Abstract

The world of online learning suffered a significant loss recently with the recent passing of Dr. A. Frank Mayadas, former Chair of the Board of Directors of the Online Learning Consortium and a visionary behind what were then known as asynchronous learning networks (the ALN in the former name of the Online Learning Journal - JALN).  Prior to his role with OLC, Frank (to those who had the privilege to know him), was the program officer for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Anytime Anyplace Learning Program (AALP), started under the tenure of his colleague Dr. Ralph Gomery, who was the President of the Foundation. 

Author Biography

Peter Shea, University at Albany, State University of New York

Dr. Peter Shea is a professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York with joint appointments in the Department of Educational Theory and Practice and the Department of Informatics. His research focuses on the development of communities of learners in higher education online environments. Dr. Shea has a long history of publications on the topic of online learning in journals such as Online Learning, Computers and Education, The Internet and Higher Education, IRRODL, and is co-author of the book, The Successful Distance Learning Student. He directs a program of research on online learning that has attracted significant external funding from organizations such as the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the US Department of Education. He is the recipient or co-recipient of four national awards including the EDUCAUSE Award for Systemic Improvement in Teaching and Learning and awards from the Sloan Consortium for online and faculty development programs. He is a Sloan-C Fellow in research on online learning and a member of their board of directors. Prior to joining the University at Albany, he was Director of the SUNY Learning Network, one of the largest online higher education systems in the United States with annual student enrollments of more than 100,000.

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Published

2026-03-01

How to Cite

Shea, P., Fredericksen, E., & Picciano, A. (2026). In Memoriam: A. Frank Mayadas. Online Learning, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v30i1.5849

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 1 (2026): Online Learning

Section

Introduction

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Peter Shea; Eric Fredericksen, Anthony Picciano

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