Dr Muriel Oaks is Dean of the Centre for Distance and Professional Education at Washington State University, where she has served in various administrative positions since 1983, including a term as Interim Vice President for Extended University Affairs. During this time, she has been instrumental in developing telecommunications infrastructure and distance learning programmes that have earned numerous awards and a national reputation for innovation and excellence.

Dr Oaks has held leadership positions in several national professional associations, including President of the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA), Chair of the steering committee of the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications (WCET), and President of the National Universities Degree Consortium (NUDC). She has received several national professional awards, including the UCEA Gayle B. Childs Award for Leadership in Distance Education and the WCET Richard Jonson Award for Service to the Educational Telecommunications Community. She is the author of numerous professional publications and is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences.

Dr Oaks received an MED and PhD in Education from Washington State University, USA.

Dr Muriel Oaks is participating in the New global regionalism: competition and collaboration session.