Q: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background?

A: Hi everyone, I’m Cody House. I serve as the Director of Executive and Lifelong Learning at the College of Professional Studies at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. My primary role with our college is supporting our new lifelong learning platform, called RevU. The platform serves as a space to focus on skill development for learners looking to develop and advance their knowledge in the non-credit environment.

Q: How and when did you first get involved with the OLC?

A: I have been attending the OLC conferences since it was called Sloan-C. Still, my first time formally volunteering and getting engaged with the organization was at the Accelerate conference in 2020, which was held virtually. At the Accelerate conference in 2019, I spent a fair amount of time engaging with the different activities that Adam Davi and Maddie Shelgren had built, including their escape room. Maddie noticed my enthusiasm and reached out about volunteering the following year. I have volunteered at every Accelerate conference since 2019, except for 2024, when I had to skip it due to my son’s birth.

Q: What (or who) motivated you to start volunteering with the OLC?

A: Volunteering has always been important to me, long before OLC, as I feel strongly about giving back and getting engaged. OLC presented a great opportunity at a time when I was searching for somewhere to direct some of my energies. I started volunteering with OLC because of Maddie Shellgren. She sought me out after the 2019 conference and provided an opportunity to explore.

Q: What roles have you engaged in as a volunteer with OLC?

A: I have slowly worked my way up the volunteer ladder at OLC. My first year (2020), I was a contributor in the Technology Test Kitchen (TTK), and then I followed that up by being the co-chair for the TTK with Florence (Flo) Williams (2021). Flo and I worked together exceptionally well; we were promoted to Engagement Co-Chairs (2022) and the Program Co-Chairs (2023). I have also attended and supported the OLC Innovate Conference, where I was lucky to serve as the chair for OLC Live! in Nashville.

Q: How has volunteering impacted your life personally and professionally?

A: Personally, I have lifelong friends whom I regularly communicate with, whom I met at the OLC conferences. I’m a social person, so attending the conferences in person provides me an opportunity to engage and interact with like-minded folks who are eager to have fun.

Professionally, I just completed my doctorate at The George Washington University. When it came to completing my dissertation research, I was able to tap into my network that I forged through OLC. Not only did some of my colleagues support me in identifying an institution where I could conduct my research, but I was also able to bring in another colleague to serve on my dissertation committee as an additional examiner. Their expertise and support made it possible for me to complete my dissertation. That level of support and compassion does not come easily, and I take great pride in the camaraderie I have with colleagues from volunteering with OLC.

Q: What skills or knowledge have you gained through volunteering with the OLC?

A: I have always been an outgoing person, and OLC provided me with an outlet to express my enthusiasm for online learning. Maddie Shellgren showed me what it meant to love escape rooms. Her passion inspired me to embrace the creative outlets that OLC provided. I have thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with new ideas and exploring areas of interest that don’t fit into my day-to-day role. OLC gives you the flexibility to sharpen your existing skills or branch out to gain new ones.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about volunteering? Most challenging?

A: By far the most rewarding aspect of volunteering, specifically at OLC, is the networking opportunities. I have built out an incredible network of colleagues across the country that I regularly message with. Their insights and support provide instant access to expertise from across higher education that has supported me in my growth as a leader and contributor to higher education.

The most challenging aspect is getting started and taking the plunge into putting yourself out there. I am an extroverted extrovert. If you’ve ever met me, you know I love to talk and joke around. Even for me, it can be intimidating to get outside of my bubble and routine to put my knowledge and expertise to the test by engaging with others from across education. There is undoubtedly a feeling of imposter syndrome when volunteering and having the confidence that you belong and that your knowledge and experience are worthwhile. I’m here to say they 100% are, and the more voices that we, and OLC, can bring to the table to support events and conferences, the better we are collectively.

Q: Can you share a memorable story or moment from your volunteering experience?

A: At the Accelerate conference in 2022, I was blessed to collaborate with Flo Williams as Engagement Co-Chairs to oversee all of the engagement activities for the conference. Admittedly, it was a significant amount of time and energy, but I was immensely proud of the work that Flo and I did to bring that conference to life. We introduced the Engagement Block Party, which was a great success and brought attendees together in a more casual environment that brought out all of the magic that OLC has to offer while tapping into a playful theme.

Q: What are your future goals, either related to volunteering or in general? Do you see your volunteer engagements as helping you achieve these goals?

A big goal of mine over the last few years was to grow my network. I would say I have fulfilled that goal by attending and volunteering with OLC. With an eye towards the future, I would say my new goal with volunteering is finding more people to join in on the fun. I’m always recruiting people to volunteer, and I will continue to take that seriously. I know that OLC needs more great volunteers to keep fresh ideas rolling through the organization, and I see that this is something I can, and will, support.

Q: What do you think sets the OLC apart from others?

A: I have attended many other conferences, and what sets OLC apart is that there is a clear element of fun and creativity that runs throughout the organization. From planning meetings to conference sessions to casual emails, there is an element of comfort and familiarity. I have spent so much time around these conferences that I have built an incredible professional network of not just colleagues but genuine friends that I continue to stay in touch with outside of professional settings.

Q: What would you say to someone considering volunteering with us?

A: Don’t think, just do it. If you are considering volunteering, then consider this a sign of divine intervention telling you it is a good idea. If you have the space and energy in your work bandwidth, the investment you put into volunteering, in any capacity, will repay you tenfold. Not only are the folks from OLC wonderful to work with, but they are compassionate and knowledgeable. But bigger than that, the networking you have the opportunity to tap into is unparalleled. I feel confident stepping into any meeting in my current role, knowing that if I need to go outside of my institution to get answers or brainstorm solutions, I have multiple individuals from my OLC community that I can call upon, and they will be there for me.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with the OLC community?

A: Find a space where you are interested and motivated. There are always opportunities to learn and grow together. The more knowledge we can bring together, the better we will all be. OLC doesn’t exist without an incredible community of thoughtful individuals who seek to share and grow together.

Also, I would LOVE to see #OLCDiningBuddies to come back as a conference hashtag. I have such fond memories of the folks I met during those outings, many of whom I still communicate with regularly.