The State Regents’ Council for Online Learning Excellence (COLE) recognized a faculty member, three administrators, and two university teams for their outstanding work during Friday’s State Regents meeting.
Dr. Cindy Akkerman, head of the Healthcare Management Department at Oklahoma State University, was honored with the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Open Education Impact. Clarissa Anderson of the University of Oklahoma’s Office of Digital Learning received the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Accessibility. Dr. Tugba Sevin, associate professor at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, was honored with the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Teaching. Dr. Dana Jo Lindon-Burgett, director for 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) at Southeastern Oklahoma State University received the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Team Leadership. The University of Central Oklahoma’s Center for eLearning and Connected Environments (CeCE) Learning Design Team received the Oklahoma Online Excellence Award for Innovation.
“Online learning opportunities are an important part of Oklahoma higher education,” said Chancellor Sean Burrage. “Our public colleges and universities offer hundreds of degree programs online, providing digital education options that expand college access and increase flexibility for students, such as adult learners juggling employment, family obligations and degree completion.”
Akkerman has shown strong leadership in expanding Open Educational Resources (OER) at OSU, making college more affordable and accessible. By creating open-access materials in health sciences and business, she has removed the need for expensive textbooks in several programs, saving students money and improving academic outcomes. She also mentors faculty on OER best practices and supports efforts to make open education sustainable and scalable across the university. Akkerman’s commitment to reducing barriers to education and promoting college access through open resources exemplifies her impact as a leader in the open education movement in Oklahoma.
As a leader in digital accessibility at OU, Anderson has driven major improvements in inclusive online learning. She’s led efforts to make digital content and courses accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, by developing campus-wide initiatives, training faculty, and promoting best practices. Her work has not only improved online accessibility and met high standards, but also fostered a culture of digital inclusion across campus. Anderson’s expertise and commitment have made a lasting impact at the university and in the broader education community.
Sevin is an innovative educator known for advancing online world language teaching. She designs engaging, accessible courses that use active learning and multimedia to help students succeed in demanding subjects. Her classes feature clear communication, interactive elements and structured paths, all aimed at supporting learners with diverse needs. By applying principles of Universal Design for Learning and gathering student feedback, she continually refines her approach. Sevin’s commitment to high standards and digital inclusion has made a significant impact on student success and confidence in learning world languages online.
Lindon-Burgett has shown strong leadership in improving online education in Oklahoma and beyond. As a founding member of the Oklahoma Online Course Optimization group and longtime coordinator for the Oklahoma Quality Matters (QM) System, she has helped set statewide standards for quality online learning. With over a decade in key QM roles—including coordinator, master reviewer, and workshop facilitator—she has trained faculty and guided course development. In 2023, she began training new facilitators for the updated Higher Education Rubric, expanding her influence on the next generation of online educators. Burgett’s collaborative approach and dedication to quality and accessibility have benefited both higher education and K-12 online learning.
The CIDT team at SEOSU has revolutionized online learning by implementing innovative instructional design, faculty support, and cutting-edge technologies. CIDT offers comprehensive training and consultations to create high-quality, accessible university courses. Their collaborative approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and instructional excellence. Under their leadership, SEOSU has seen significant growth in online programs and increased student satisfaction. CIDT strategic initiatives, including standardized course templates and faculty certification programs, have transformed online learning at SEOSU and across the region.
UCO’s CeCE Learning Design Team has created transformative experiences for students and the workforce through innovative instructional design, emerging technologies, and user-centered approaches to enhance engagement, accessibility, and student and faculty success. CeCE strategies include adaptive learning tools, immersive media, and personalized learning pathways for students, and the team provides faculty development and support services, addressing workforce needs while maintaining academic standards. Their commitment to innovation sets a benchmark for excellence in online education and significantly impacts the future of digital learning in Oklahoma and beyond.
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 strengthen 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/.