An Educator’s Evolution: From the Classroom to Leadership
Allison (Ali) Rief has dedicated her career to education, beginning in a pre-K classroom in South Los Angeles and now serving as a higher education leader. A National Board Certified Early Childhood Educator and former Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year, Ali has spent the past 12 years in higher education, moving from adjunct faculty to department head. Her deep commitment to learning and leading continues to shape her professional journey.
Embracing the OLC Community
Ali’s first experience with the Online Learning Consortium was as a participant in the Institute for Emerging Leadership in Online Learning (IELOL). After seeing colleagues grow through the program, she jumped at the opportunity, eventually joining the 2021 cohort after a pandemic delay. It didn’t take long for her to feel the difference: “With OLC, you are viewed as your complete self. People want to get to know you and to support you.”
Making an Impact through Volunteering
Since then, Ali has embraced a variety of volunteer roles, starting as a conference proposal reviewer and Field Guide, helping to welcome and guide new attendees. She’s served on multiple engagement committees, as a program co-chair, and currently serves as the OLC Accelerate 2025 conference co-chair. “There were numerous times when I just pitched in where needed as well,” she says. “It takes a village!”
These experiences have helped her grow her professional network beyond her home institution. Through OLC, she’s gained new perspectives and forged lasting friendships. “It always feels like a homecoming when we get to see each other again.”
Rewards and Challenges
For Ali, the most rewarding part of volunteering—besides the relationships—is the opportunity to shape the conference experience. “You really get to create change based on interest and current trends.” One example: helping launch the Express Lanes session format in response to attendee feedback. The biggest challenge? Occasionally jumping in with little prep, like giving an impromptu hotel tour as a Field Guide just minutes after arriving on site at a conference. Thankfully, a cakepop stand saved the day!
Looking Ahead
Ali hopes to expand her involvement beyond the Accelerate and Innovate conferences and hopes to explore opportunities with IELOL or OLC’s workshop series. Having experienced nearly every conference role, she’s eager to contribute in new ways.
The OLC Difference
For Ali, what sets OLC apart is simple: “The people.” Rather than being just a number, she found a community that listens, collaborates, and truly values each member’s contribution. “The community learns from each other and truly constructs knowledge together.”
A Call to Future Volunteers
Her advice to anyone considering volunteering? “Do it! You will gain new knowledge, experience, and friends.”
Dr. Allison Rief is a Professor and Department Chair in the School of General Studies at the University of Arizona Global Campus. Allison earned a Doctorate of Education with a specialization in Teacher Education in Multicultural Societies from the University of Southern California, a Master of Education from the University of California Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Arts in Literatures in English at the University of California San Diego. Dr. Rief began her career as an elementary and preschool teacher. She maintains a National Board Certification and was awarded the Teacher of the Year for both the Los Angeles Unified School District and Los Angeles County. Within higher education, she has had experience launching new programs and revising existing programs, developing courses, providing professional development, and working with collaborative teams across the university. Currently, Dr. Rief is a member of the Change Advisory Group, Student Conduct and Community Standards Committee, Forbes Center for Women’s Leadership, and oversees the partnership with No Excuses University schools. Beyond the programs she leads, she also serves on Doctoral committees and teaches the Doctoral In-Residence. Dr. Rief’s research interests include virtual professional learning communities, collaborative and reciprocal relationships with online associate faculty, course design with intentional scaffolding within online learning, and the effects of how flexibility and care impact student learning.
Interested in getting involved?
If you are interested in connecting with like-minded professionals and gaining professional development through volunteering for the OLC, we invite you to apply! We frequently have new opportunities and will reach out when there is a match to your indicated interests.
