Introducing the OTN’s new Director of Educational Programs: Tanya Grosz

I am THRILLED to be joining Dave, Sarah, Karen, Barry and Mark as Director of Educational Programs the Open Textbook Network! I’m transitioning from the role of Dean of Graduate, Online & Adult Learning at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, and it was in that role that I had the amazing opportunity to be among one of the eight founding institutions of the Open Textbook Network.

In this role, I will be working with OTN professional development and education programs, seeking supplemental grant funding, and representing the OTN at state, regional, and national levels. I’m also very excited about the possibility of K-12 outreach!  

Professionally, I began my career as a high school English teacher, transitioned to collegiate teaching when my husband and I started a family, and I pursued a Ph.D. in Education and Online Teaching and Learning after falling in love with online teaching. After hearing Cable Green keynote at the MN eLearning Summit in 2011, a new love for open education began, and with the OTN’s help, I spearheaded an open textbook initiative at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul which led to the creation of the first Z degree in the state of MN.

Personally, I recently celebrated my 25 year wedding anniversary to my husband, Tim, who is the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Northwestern. I have two teenage daughters, Olivia and Sophia, and a very spoiled rescue schnauzer named Ollie. I love reading and learning, time at my family’s cabin in Deerwood, MN, coffee, chocolate, and all things French. I survive MN winters and wish MN summers were longer!

I’m passionate about increasing access to learning through open textbooks, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this incredible community of learners and leaders.