Nex-Tech is a member of the NTCA, the Rural Broadband Association. Through the NTCA, we can collaborate, draw inspiration, and access innovation alongside other rural broadband providers nationwide. Late this summer, the NTCA’s Vice President of Policy and Innovation, Josh Seidemann, and CEO Shirley Bloomfield were approached by the University of Michigan’s School of Information about lending some of their thoughts, expertise, and guidance to a course of students who were going to spend the semester focused on rural broadband issues.

According to a LinkedIn post by Shirley Bloomfield, “The NTCA was excited and delighted that a group of students in Ann Arbor, Mich., were willing to spend their semester focused on issues central to the rural citizens of the state. However, it was likely that only a handful were from the state’s truly rural portions. Josh has spent time this semester checking in with the class, as students have been tasked with group work to determine the impact of broadband on workforce development. He’s also been busy connecting them with subject matter experts from NTCA’s membership, including a number of our Smart Rural Community (SRC) Advisory Council members who are so well positioned to share their insights on why robust broadband does have an impact on healthcare, education, precision agriculture, and economic development.”

Nex-Tech was invited to share its perspective and experience serving the rural communities of Kansas. I was privileged to interact with these students and found it fulfilling to respond to some of their questions. See video.