2025 Steering Committee: Shaping the Open Education Network

This month, three community members begin two-year terms on the Open Education Network (OEN) Steering Committee. We are excited to welcome Andrea Bearman, Instructional Technology Coordinator at the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI); Bailey Lake, Open Strategies Librarian at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU); and Jennifer Pate, Director of Open Ed at Texas A&M University. 

Andrea, Bailey, and Jennifer will join current committee members Robert Awkward of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Anne Marie Gruber of the University of Northern Iowa, and Meggan Houlihan of the Open Society University Network. As community leaders, they will support the Open Education Network’s efforts in open education on local, national, and international levels.

The committee’s primary responsibility is to offer timely feedback to OEN leadership. According to Executive Director Dave Ernst, it’s critically important that this input represents the varied needs of our community. 

To that end, the 2025 committee is composed of members from different types of organizations with various roles, experiences, and expertise. Members represent the whole community as much as possible, united by their shared commitment. 

“One thing all Steering Committee members share,” Dave said, “is a commitment to improve how our community supports its members in advancing open education. They truly shape the organization through their thoughtful voices and commitment to the community.”

Committee members meet online every month to discuss issues related to the OEN’s strategic direction. They advise leadership on topics including membership growth, partnership development, funding support, event planning, communications, advocacy, and more. With the OEN’s current sustainability plan expiring at the end of the 2025-26 membership year, Dave notes that the Steering Committee will need to “dream together about our collective work” moving forward.

The committee also helps facilitate our community’s annual get-together, OEN Engage! At last year’s event, members hosted the Community Action Session, prompting discussion of how OEN members could leverage our collective knowledge to make a difference beyond our own institutions.

“I can’t emphasize enough how valuable our Steering Committee is,” Dave said. “They are vital in helping the OEN meet as many needs as possible, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”

Jennifer’s viewpoint, and that of each member, will enrich the committee. “I’ve worked with faculty to advance OER at a small, underfunded regional public university, and I’m now at a large, well-funded R1 public university,” she says. “I have seen the challenges and opportunities at each, and it gives me deep appreciation for others who do this work.” 

As a new member, Andrea welcomes the opportunity for dialogue and generating ideas. “At my current university,” she said, “there is a challenge with faculty committing to creating OER because their work is not viewed as sufficient for promotion and tenure. I’d love to see some ways to shift this mindset and help universities consider OER a part of promotion and tenure.”  

Bailey embraces the expectation that members will stay current on open education issues. “Right now, open pedagogy is my favorite open education initiative,” she said. “This type of project expands the OER available, leverages student involvement, and facilitates deep learning within a class. It’s a powerful first step in inspiring students to make the world a better place in a real and practical way.”

Committee members typically serve a two-year term that starts in January. To foster continuity, one half of the six-member committee is appointed each year. Applications are open to those who are direct members of the OEN, including institutional members and leadership from member systems/consortia. Applicants from traditionally under-represented groups and institutions are encouraged to apply. 

About to take her seat, Bailey’s tapping into personal convictions that have been with her since she was a student. “Today, I have a more nuanced understanding of OER, the publishing industry, and higher education in general,” she says. “But the core part of my understanding remains the same: quality information freely shared is the best path forward for education.”

If you’re an OEN member and have questions about the Steering Committee application process, contact Barb Thees, Director of Community Engagement.