This month, we’re shining a light on Dr. Tawnya Means, Assistant Dean for Educational Innovation at the Gies College of Business. With two decades of experience in online learning, instructional design, and innovation, Tawnya has become an essential leader at OLC. From leading the Blended Learning Symposium to championing transformative learning experiences, Tawnya brings a passion for innovation and community. Discover how her involvement with OLC has propelled her professional growth and strengthened connections within the online learning space.
A Journey Rooted in Innovation and Transformation
As the Assistant Dean for Educational Innovation, Tawnya’s passion for creating meaningful learning experiences is showcased by her leadership of a newly formed unit dedicated to innovation and transformation across the college. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, she is focused on driving strategic change by fostering new ideas, technologies, and approaches to enhance education. Tawnya holds a Ph.D. in Information Science & Learning Technologies, and has worked extensively in faculty development and learning systems design, which has been a driving force in her career.
Embracing the OLC Community
Tawnya’s involvement with OLC in the early 2010s when she sought to engage with a community that shared her passion for innovative education. OLC’s commitment to advancing online learning aligned with her goals, and the connections she made with like-minded professionals inspired her to get more involved. Over the years, Tawnya has contributed to several task forces and served on planning committees, working on initiatives that push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital learning. Through these roles, Tawnya has worked alongside leading professionals in the field, continuing to push the boundaries of digital learning.
Making an Impact through Volunteering
Tawnya’s volunteer work with OLC has allowed her to contribute to meaningful initiatives in online education. She is currently the program planning co-chair for the OLC Accelerate 2024 conference and served as the executive chair for the Blended Learning Symposium in 2023. Additionally, she has presented on topics like AI-powered assessments, blended learning practices, and building community in online environments. These roles afforded opportunities to collaborate with many talented educators and technologists and work together to advance initiatives that enhance the quality of online education. Tawyna feels that volunteering has also sharpened her leadership and organizational skills, especially in managing large-scale conference events and working with diverse teams.
Rewards and Challenges
For Tawnya, the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is connecting with educators who are also passionate about transforming learning experiences. Balancing time commitments between her full-time role and volunteering can be challenging, but the energy drawn from the OLC community of like-minded professionals makes the effort worthwhile.
Memorable Moments and Future Goals
One of Tawnya’s most memorable experiences as an OLC volunteer was leading the development of the 2023 Blended Learning Symposium, where she collaborated with luminaries in online and blended learning. The collective expertise and passion for improving education through innovation made the process both inspiring and energizing. The opportunity to work alongside such knowledgeable professionals reinforced the value of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in education.
Looking ahead, her focus remains on leading the new unit at the Geis College of Business, dedicated to driving innovation and transformation across the college. Her continued engagement with OLC helps her stay connected with the latest trends and best practices in educational technology, directly supporting the work and goals of this new unit.
Unwavering Commitment and Community
What sets OLC apart, in Tawnya’s view, is its unwavering commitment to fostering innovation in online and blended learning while building a strong, inclusive community of educators. The OLC community thrives on collaboration and professional development, bringing together practitioners and thought leaders to share ideas and practical solutions. OLC empowers educators to experiment, grow, and transform their teaching practices, making it a leader in the field of online education.
A Call to Future Volunteers
Tawnya’s message to those considering volunteering with OLC is simple: dive in! Volunteering with OLC is an incredible opportunity to not only give back but also to grow professionally. It’s an opportunity to collaborate with a passionate, forward-thinking community and gain insights that will last well beyond the experience. It’s truly a rewarding way to build relationships and stay connected with emerging trends while making a lasting impact on the future of education.
Gratitude for the OLC Community
Tawnya expresses deep gratitude for the OLC community and the work done together to advance innovation in digital education.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with so many brilliant and dedicated professionals who have not only enriched my professional journey but have also become dear friends. The relationships I’ve built through OLC have been invaluable, both personally and professionally. These collaborations have pushed me to think more creatively, embrace new challenges, and continue to grow as an educator and leader. I’m incredibly thankful for the ongoing support, inspiration, and camaraderie that OLC fosters, and I look forward to many more years of working together to drive innovation in education.
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.