This editorial introduces the special issue of the Journal of Online Graduate Education (JOGE), developed in partnership with the Cause Research Institute at National University. The issue features research supported by the inaugural CRI Research Seed Grants, spotlighting innovative projects that advance evidence-informed practice in online graduate education. Key topics include the integration of artificial intelligence for teaching, learning, and research; scalable models for experiential learning; and initiatives that promote student well-being and holistic engagement. The issue also explores the transformative potential of extended reality technologies for fostering meaningful connection in digital environments. Collectively, these studies underscore a unified commitment to purposeful innovation, emphasizing the importance of improving learning outcomes, strengthening institutional capacity, and sustaining the human elements central to online graduate education.
Hussey et al. (Fri,) studied this question.