OnlineEd 2025

Melissa Kane is the Director of Online Program Development at Brown University, where she leads the university’s online learning strategy. In this role, she oversees a cross-functional team of learning designers, educational media producers, and learning technologists to deliver high-quality, mission-driven online graduate degree programs. Since the launch of Brown’s first online graduate degree program in 2022, Melissa has spearheaded the development of a growing portfolio of programs that advance academic excellence, scalability, and global reach.

An award-winning educator and academic strategist, Melissa has shaped a sustainable model for online program development grounded in quality, equity, and learner experience. She has designed and taught courses at Johnson & Wales University and Brandeis University, where she received the Rabb School Outstanding Teacher Award. Melissa holds an Ed.D. from Northeastern University, an M.Ed. from the State University of New York at Oswego, and a B.A. from Colby-Sawyer College.