We are pleased to announce the 2018-2019 cohort for the SPARC Open Education Leadership Program, the preeminent professional development initiative for advancing open education leadership in academic libraries. The cohort is comprised of 24 fellows from SPARC member libraries spanning 17 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and includes representation from a diverse set of institutions, levels of experience, and areas of interest. The fellows were selected from a broad and competitive application pool, and will build upon the success of the program’s pilot cohort who completed the program earlier this summer.
2018-2019 SPARC Open Education Leadership Fellows
- Amanda Zerangue, Texas Woman’s University
- Ann Ludbrook, Ryerson University
- Anna Newman, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Annie Johnson, Temple University
- Ariana Santiago, University of Houston
- Carrie Gits, Austin Community College
- Christopher Hollister, University at Buffalo
- Corey Wetherington, Penn State University
- Denise Dimsdale, Georgia State University
- Elaine Farrally-Plourde, Westchester Community College
- Graeme Slaght, University of Toronto
- Hillary Miller, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Jeanne Hoover, East Carolina University
- Jessica Davila Greene, Claremont Colleges
- Jill Hallam-Miller, Bucknell University
- Jillian Maynard, University of Hartford
- Johannah White, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Julia E. Rodriguez, Oakland University
- Katie Harding, Dartmouth College
- Lauren Ray, University of Washington
- Martha Yancey, West Virginia University
- Michelle Brailey, University of Alberta
- Michelle Brown, University of Ottawa
- Stephanie Pierce, University of Arkansas
Launched last year, the SPARC Open Education Leadership Program offers intensive training to empower library professionals with the knowledge, skills, and connections to lead successful open education initiatives that benefit students. The two-semester program blends online, peer-to-peer, and project-based learning to build a comprehensive understanding of the open education space coupled with practical know-how to take action on campus and beyond. Fellows participate as part of a cohort that becomes a vibrant community of practice, enhanced by expert instructors and mentorship support.
The incoming cohort will begin on September 24. Among their first activities will be attending the annual Open Education Conference in Niagara Falls, NY on October 10-12, where they will complete a leadership seminar and immerse in the open education community. Throughout the fall, fellows will complete an intensive online course and get paired with a mentor with experience leading an open education initiative. During the spring, each fellow will implement a capstone project that both advances open education locally and contributes back to the broader community.
In response to the significant demand for joining this year’s program, SPARC is already making plans to run the program again during the 2019-2020 academic year. Applications will be available in early spring 2019, and more information about program requirements, tuition, and selection criteria are available on our FAQ. To receive updates about the program, sign up here.
In keeping with our commitment to making Open the default, SPARC will publish the program’s curriculum under an open license so that the whole community can benefit. Stay tuned for another announcement in late September.
