Muriel Oaks is Dean of the Center for Distance and Professional Education at Washington State University, where she has served in various positions within continuing and distance education since 1983.

While at Washington State University, Muriel has been instrumental in developing telecommunications infrastructure and distance learning programs that have earned a national reputation for innovation and excellence. The programs, courses, faculty, and unique support services for the WSU distance programs have won numerous awards over the years from the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA), National University Telecommunications Network (NUTN), and Aegis Productions.

Muriel has been an active member of UCEA since 1983, and has held a variety of leadership roles within the organization, including a term as President. She also served several terms on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee, Chair of the Commission on Learning and Instructional Technologies, and recipient of the Gayle B. Childs Award for Leadership in Distance Education.

In other professional activities, Muriel has been a member of WCET, where she has served as chair of that organization’s Steering Committee, member of the Executive Committee, and recipient of the organization’s Richard Jonson Award for Service to the Educational Telecommunications Community. She has also been a member of the Board of Directors of the National Universities Degree Consortium since 1993, serving as president of that organization from 1993-1998.

Muriel holds a Ph.D. and M.Ed. in Education from Washington State University and a B.S. in Medical Technology from the University of Idaho.