The winners of the 2025 Oklahoma Online Excellence Awards were recognized at the June 26, 2025 State Regents meeting.

Dr. Cindy Akkerman, Healthcare Administration Department Head at Oklahoma State University was honored with the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Open Education Impact. The recipient of the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Accessibility is Clarissa Anderson at the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Tugba Sevin, associate professor at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, was honored with the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Teaching. Dr. Dana Lindon-Burgett, director of academic technology at Rose State College, was honored with the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Individual Leadership. The Center for Instructional Development and Technology (CIDT) Team at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, was honored with the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Team Leadership. The Center for eLearning and Connected Environments Learning Design Team at the University of Central Oklahoma received the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Innovation.

Dr. Akkerman is making a powerful impact on access and affordability in higher education through her leadership in Open Educational Resources (OER). At Oklahoma State University, she has eliminated the need for costly textbooks in several health sciences and business programs by designing innovative, open-access course materials. Her efforts have saved students money, improved learning quality, and boosted engagement. Beyond her own courses, Dr. Akkerman mentors faculty on OER best practices and fosters a culture of collaboration through professional development. Her work is helping to scale sustainable open education across the institution and beyond. Dr. Akkerman’s commitment to equity and student success makes her a standout leader in Oklahoma’s open education movement.

At the University of Oklahoma, Clarissa is leading the charge toward a more inclusive digital learning environment. As a champion of accessibility, she has played a pivotal role in ensuring that all students—including those with disabilities—have equitable access to online content and learning experiences. Clarissa has spearheaded campus-wide initiatives that embed accessibility best practices into course design and instructional materials. Through workshops, consultations, and training, she empowers faculty and staff to create inclusive learning environments that meet and exceed accessibility standards. Her collaborative leadership has fostered a culture of inclusion, significantly improving the accessibility of OU’s online programs. With deep expertise in accessibility tools and universal design, Clarissa’s work is not only transforming the student experience but also setting a standard for digital equity across Oklahoma’s educational landscape.

Dr. Sevin is redefining online language education through her creative and student-centered approach. Known for her engaging and accessible course design, she has made world languages more approachable and effective for learners in the digital space. By integrating multimedia tools, active learning strategies, and clear, structured pathways, Dr. Sevin creates online environments that foster participation, collaboration, and retention. Her commitment to inclusivity shines through her use of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and accessibility best practices, ensuring all students feel supported. Dr. Sevin also values student feedback, using it to continuously refine her teaching methods and enhance the learning experience. Her dedication to excellence and innovation has had a lasting impact on student success and confidence in mastering world languages online.

Dr. Lindon-Burgett has been a visionary force in shaping the future of online education across Oklahoma and beyond. Since 2011, she has served as a dedicated coordinator for the Oklahoma Quality Matters (QM) System, and since 2018, as a founding member representative of the Oklahoma Online Course Optimization (OCO) group. Her leadership has been instrumental in establishing and advancing high standards for online learning statewide. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Lindon-Burgett has held key roles within QM—including Lead QM Coordinator, Master Reviewer, and Course Review Manager—and is a certified facilitator for essential workshops like Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR), Designing Your Online Course (DYOC), and Improving Your Online Course (IYOC). In 2023, she was selected to train new facilitators on the updated Higher Education Rubric, further extending her influence to the next generation of online educators. Known for her collaborative and encouraging approach, Dr. Lindon-Burgett supports faculty, staff, and administrators in creating accessible, high-quality online learning environments. Her commitment to excellence, equity, and student success continues to elevate both higher education and K–12 online learning communities across the state.

At Southeastern Oklahoma State University, the CIDT (Center for Instructional Design and Technology) team is setting the standard for excellence in online education. Through innovative instructional design, strategic faculty support, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies, the CIDT team has become a cornerstone of digital learning advancement on campus. As a central hub for faculty development, the CIDT team offers comprehensive training and personalized consultations that empower instructors to create high-quality, accessible, and engaging online courses. Their team-oriented approach has cultivated a culture of continuous improvement, helping faculty adopt best practices that elevate the virtual learning experience. Under the team’s leadership, Southeastern has expanded its online program offerings and seen a notable rise in student satisfaction. Initiatives like standardized course templates and robust faculty certification programs have positioned the university as a leader in high-impact online education. Driven by a commitment to student success, faculty empowerment, and innovation, the CIDT team continues to transform online learning—at Southeastern and across the region.

At the University of Central Oklahoma, the CeCE Learning Design Team is leading the way in transforming online education. With a focus on innovation, flexibility, and student success, the team has reimagined how digital learning can meet the evolving needs of both students and the workforce. Through forward-thinking instructional design and the integration of emerging technologies, the team has expanded access to high-quality online programs and professional development opportunities. Their user-centered approach includes adaptive learning tools, immersive media, and personalized learning pathways—strategies that enhance engagement, accessibility, and academic achievement. Beyond course design, the team provides robust faculty development and support, partnering with academic departments to create programs that are both academically rigorous and aligned with workforce demands. Their efforts have not only elevated the quality of online education at UCO but have also positioned the university as a leader in digital learning across Oklahoma and beyond. With a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation, the CeCE Learning Design Team is shaping the future of online education—one transformative experience at a time.

The State Regents’ Online Education Task Force formed the COLE in 2016. COLE is comprised of faculty, staff and administrators representing each tier of Oklahoma’s public and private colleges and universities, as well as other entities connected to online learning technologies. As part of the ongoing effort to improve online learning, COLE members recognize the excellent work of faculty, staff and administrators at Oklahoma’s colleges and universities. The Oklahoma Online Excellence Awards were established in 2017 to formally recognize individuals and teams for exceptional work in online or hybrid learning. Nominations are submitted by peers and judged by a committee of COLE members. For more information about the awards and current and previous awardees, visit https://www.ocolearnok.org/recognition/oklahoma-online-excellence-awards/.