Marylanders Online Newsletter
June 2025 | Volume 3 | Issue 6
| | SAVE THE DATE! The 2025 Maryland Digital Opportunity Summit will take place on Wednesday, October 15, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. This year's theme is "Investing in Maryland’s Future: Invest Today. Empower Tomorrow. Fueling Economic Growth and Workforce Innovation Through Digital Opportunity.” | | The 2025 summit will be the largest yet, bringing together 200 cross-sector leaders—from government, education, healthcare, technology, and community organizations—to accelerate broadband access, digital skills development, and economic opportunities for all Marylanders. Space for this event was provided by Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) and is sponsored by Montgomery County Government. Registration and details are coming soon. | | Sponsoring the 2025 Summit | | | Sponsoring Maryland's Digital Opportunity Summit positions your organization as a key leader in Maryland’s digital equity movement. Agencies interested in sponsoring the 2025 Summit are invited to contact Nerice Millet-Williams. For additional information about the summit, goals, and sponsorship tiers, click here. | | Empowering Health Webinar Series | | The final two sessions of the Empowering Health Webinar Series are happening this week, June 26th and 27th. This series explores the intersection of health and technology, diving into the tools, challenges, and breakthroughs that are shaping how we care for ourselves and our communities. Learn more. | |
Social Media’s Impact on Public Health & Spread of Health Misinformation
June 26 | 11 AM - 12 PM
Register Here
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Digital Health Technologies & Misinformation: Navigating the Challenges
June 27 | 11 AM - 12 PM
Register Here
| | Marylanders Online in Action | | |
Marylanders Online in DC
UME Marylanders Online team members joined national and local leaders in Washington, DC for the Digital Navigator Summit earlier this June. Teri Mumm, Digital Navigation Program Manager, was invited to present in the opening panel, "The DMV's Path to Digital Inclusion," where she discussed the evolution of Digital Navigator programs and shared insights on current trends shaping the future of digital equity in the DC-Maryland-Virginia region.
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Latino Economic Development
A digital skills program for business owners and entrepreneurs offered in partnership with the Latino Economic Development Center concluded in early June. On Father's Day, the group celebrated the end of the course at Saint Mark's Parish by awarding certifications to the 33 participants who graduated from the program.
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AI Experiential Learning Grant
INFO Professor Mega Subramaniam has been awarded a $25,000 Experiential Learning and Community-Engaged Course Development Grant for her course proposal: "AI Literacy for Community Empowerment" by the AI Interdisciplinary Institute at the University of Maryland. Learn more.
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NACDEP Conference
At the 2025 National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals (NACDEP) Conference, extension educators from across the nation came together to share tools, strategies, and inspiration to drive digital equity locally. Participants explored successful land grant university models, learned about free digital tools, and built action plans to advance local initiatives. Isaias Tesfalidet and Getachew Ferede attended the conference and presented on behalf of UME Marylanders Online.
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Housing Authority of Baltimore City
A UME partnership with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City has trained staff in Microsoft 365 and other essential digital skills. This collaboration not only supported HABC staff in their roles but also empowers them to better assist residents in navigating the digital world by helping their tenants utilize residence business centers and computer labs.
| | UME Marylanders Online Events | | Digital Equity Grant Planning Series Wraps | | The Maryland Digital Equity Coalition (MDEC) Digital Equity Grant Planning Webinar Series wrapped up in June with nearly 400 digital inclusion practitioners in attendance. This series was designed to support organizations in securing grant funding and developing sustainable, impactful digital skills education programs. Click here to explore the slides and key takeaways from the series and learn how Marylanders Online is partnering to support communities, expand resources, and drive digital equity across the state. | | Anti-Scam Webinar Series Returns This August | | Do you know how to recognize and avoid today’s most common scams? With cybercrime and digital fraud on the rise, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and empowered. Marylanders Online is hosting a free, virtual Anti-Scam Webinar Series designed to help individuals across Maryland protect themselves and their loved ones. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just getting started online, these sessions will provide you with practical strategies and essential resources that you can use immediately to protect yourself from scams. | | |
Scams 101 - August 5th - 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Learn the basics on how to identify and prevent today's most common scams.
AI Scams - August 12th - 4:30 PM - 6:00PM
Learn how scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create more convincing frauds—and how you can spot and avoid them.
Estafas 101 - 5 de agosto - 4:30 PM - 6:00PM
Aprende los conceptos básicos sobre cómo identificar y prevenir las estafas más comunes de hoy en día.
| | On May 19th, UME Marylanders Online digital navigators started participating in a pilot of the Marylanders Online Navigator Education Toolkit. MONET is a scalable, module-based curriculum designed to train digital skill educators and public-serving agencies to confidently deliver digital skills training within their communities. Designed for flexible, hybrid implementation, MONET integrates online and in-person formats with practical application exercises, ready-to-use lesson plans, and implementation support. | | MONET is currently accessible to digital navigators based in Maryland, with plans to expand access through the University of Maryland’s ELMS-Canvas Open Learning platform. MONET is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0, enabling organizations/individuals to use the material with attribution given to the University of Maryland Extension Marylanders Online. Learn more. | | Digital Inclusion Resources | | |
Asset Mapping Maryland
DigitalLIFT has four new curricula now available for purchase: iPhone, Chromebook, Windows, and Windows Advanced. These curricula are designed specifically for nonprofits, libraries, and community-based organizations doing digital inclusion work. Read more.
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eGovernment Resources
Marylanders can learn how to apply online for government services through a series of user-friendly eGovernment learning modules. Find simple, step-by-step instructions to apply for driver's licenses, food stamps, Temporary Cash Assistance, and other government benefits. View the resources.
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Asset Mapping Maryland
If you are an organization that provides digital skills classes, wi-fi, tech support, training, devices, tablets, hotspots, or other digital services, please share your resources for inclusion in Maryland’s digital asset map. Submit a resource.
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USM, Google to Bring Google Career Certificates, AI Training to Thousands of Learners
June 17, 2025 | Maryland Today
Greenlight Networks Brings High-Speed Fiber Internet to Baltimore With $100 Million Investment
June 17, 2025| Greenlight Networks
AI Skills are Digital Skills and Five Other Takeaways from NDIA’s Comments to NSF and Congress on the Intersection of AI and Digital Inclusion
June 10, 2025 | National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)
The ACP 'Saved My Life': Real People Share the Real Cost of Losing Affordable Internet
May 27, 2025 | CNET.com
Understanding the Value of a Digital Equity Researcher-Practitioner Collaboration Using Participatory Action Research
May 23, 2025 | Journal of Participatory Research Methods (JPRM)
UMD Researchers Developing Life-Saving Robots, AI
March 7, 2025 | Maryland Today
The Evolving AI Arms Race in Cybersecurity
Pawan K. Pradhan
From Inspiration to Implementation: Adopting & Expanding Extension Digital Programs
Southern Rural Development Center
Science L.E.A.F Partners With The State of Maryland To Improve Adult Digital Literacy
June 12, 2024 | Science Leaf
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Net Inclusion 2026
NDIA has announced the Net Inclusion 2026 Call for Proposals for Breakout Sessions and Workshops. The conference will be held February 3-5 in Chicago, IL, at the Sheraton Grand Riverwalk. Join the June 26 - Information Session by registering here. Breakout Sessions and Workshop Proposals close August 25th, with notifications sent out October 15. FAQ Link.
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Baltimore City
The Baltimore Digital Equity Coalition (BDEC) hosts "Coffee & Connection" every first Tuesday of the month. Contact Lo Smith for more information.
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2026 AI Literacy Day
Just announced: National AI Literacy Day will take place on Friday, March 27th, 2026. As artificial intelligence continues to shape our world in profound ways, understanding its fundamentals has never been more important. National AI Literacy Day is a nationwide initiative dedicated to demystifying AI and empowering people of all ages and backgrounds with the knowledge they need to navigate the future. To become a supporting organization, please fill out this form.
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Digital Navigator Helpline
Marylanders Online is a free, statewide digital literacy project through the University of Maryland Extension (UME) in partnership with the College of Information (INFO) that offers computer help, digital skills classes, resources, tech support, and more. Learn more at www.MarylandersOnline.umd.edu.
The toll-free Marylanders Online Helpline can be reached at 1-866-206-8467 Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by emailing marylandersonline@umd.edu. Support is available in English and Spanish, with translation to 180+ other languages upon request.
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Submit a Testimonial!
Whether you are a partner organization, a community member who received training, or someone who has received tech support, your story can help spread the word about Marylanders Online and contribute to expanding digital literacy across Maryland.
Email a testimonial.
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