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The Open Education Network’s Steering Committee is an outstanding example of our community’s ethos in action. Established in 2016, the committee advises OEN leadership by sharing diverse perspectives, contributing knowledge and experience, and voicing community feedback to inform our organization’s strategic direction.
The Open Education Network’s Steering Committee is an outstanding example of our community’s ethos in action. Established in 2016, the committee advises OEN leadership by sharing diverse perspectives, contributing knowledge and experience, and voicing community feedback to inform our organization’s strategic direction.
Opportunity Knocks
The OEN is currently accepting applications from members who would like to join the Steering Committee in January 2026, including institutional members and leaders from member systems or consortia. Our goal is for committee members to represent a diverse cross-section of institutions and roles within our community and across the broader higher education landscape.
“The challenges and nuances our members experience are different for everyone,” said Barb Thees, OEN Director of Community Engagement. “When you become a committee member, when you share your experiences with us this way, it ensures we’ll take these challenges into account and ultimately better serve everyone in our diverse community of institutions.”
Barb notes that the committee strives to represent institutions and consortia of various types, sizes, locations/regions, program development stages, student demographics, resources, institutional support, and unique challenges.
We encourage members to visit the Community Hub > Resources tab > Community News section to submit the brief OEN Steering Committee Application by December 14, 2025. Please contact current Steering Committee members or the OEN Team with any questions (open@umn.edu).
Support Our Community
Committee members are well-informed on current trends and issues in open education and participate in monthly virtual meetings with OEN leadership. They lead conversations with community members, colleagues, and other stakeholders and provide insight to the leadership team. In addition, the committee helps facilitate sessions for our community’s annual virtual gathering, OEN Engage!, and other events as needed.
Our current Steering Committee is dedicated to supporting our community’s work advancing open education:
- Robert (Bob) Awkward (Massachusetts Department of Higher Education)
- Andrea Bearman (Private Academic Library Network of Indiana)
- Anne Marie Gruber (University of Northern Iowa)
- Cindy Gruwell (University of West Florida)
- Bailey Lake (Eastern Kentucky University)
- Jennifer Pate (Texas A&M University)
Jennifer Pate, Director of Open Ed at Texas A&M, has been a member of the committee for almost a year, giving her a close look at the care that goes into OEN planning and decision making.
“No decisions are made in haste, and all opinions from the Steering Committee are welcome - even if they are in opposition to each other,” said Jennifer. “I’ve always appreciated the intentionality of the work that the OEN does, and being on the committee, I have seen first-hand the prioritization the OEN team puts on community and consensus building.
With Sincere Thanks
In January 2026, three new members will be appointed to replace Bob Awkward, Andrea Bearman, and Anne Marie Gruber, who will soon conclude their two-year terms.
Our community offers sincere thanks to Bob, Andrea, and Anne Marie for the thoughtful, community-centered leadership they’ve provided, particularly during times of change and uncertainty in the open education landscape. We appreciate the insight and commitment they’ve demonstrated in this important role and wish them the best as they depart the committee.
In the Driver’s Seat
Two years ago, Anne Marie, the Liaison & Textbook Equity Librarian at University of Northern Iowa, decided to apply for a seat on the committee because she was eager to give back to the OEN community. Today, she looks back on the experience that “truly exceeded” her expectations.
“I found the connections I made within the Steering Committee were so valuable,” she said. “I was also struck by how much trust OEN staff and leaders place in the committee. Members really are driving the direction of the community through our active involvement in many forms.”
She encourages OEN members interested in leadership to consider joining the Steering Committee. “You don’t have to be an expert or have a lot of extra time to give,” she said, “but just a willingness to listen, learn, and share your insight. I’ve gained far more than I’ve given!”
Central to What We Do
With Dave Ernst’s recent announcement that he plans to leave his position as OEN Executive Director in early 2026, the committee anticipates working to ensure continuity as we make the transition to new leadership.
“I think the most important thing moving forward will be to ensure the ethos and values of the OEN community continue under new leadership,” said Anne Marie. “I have no doubt the new director will understand our values and help carry them out, but more importantly, it’s the community itself that can ensure OEN Guiding Principles remain central to what we do.”
Success in 2026
As Anne Marie sees it, the coming new year is a critical time to persevere with our meaningful work in open education.
“I’m eager for the OEN to continue supporting open education in an age of pressures on higher education and attacks on equity and inclusion,” Anne Marie concludes. “Success will mean that any librarian, faculty member, or instructional designer needing open education support can get it from this welcoming, inclusive community of practitioners and scholars.”