Outgoing Criss Library Dean David Richards Awarded With 2025 Outstanding Innovation in Teaching With Technology Award

The Outstanding Innovation in Teaching with Technology Award honors faculty who have implemented outstanding innovative teaching approaches shown to increase student learning, engagement and success. The award recognizes faculty members who have contributed significant, creative teaching innovations that promote effective and deeper learning via technology. Prior recipients of this award include Dr. Gwyneth Cliver (CAS), Becky Lutte (CPACS), Dr. Cecilia Tocaimaza-Hatch (CAS), Tara Toscano (CAS), Dr. Melissa Cast-Brede (CEHHS), Jody Boyer (CFAM), Dr. Jeff Bredthauer (CBA), and Erica Rose (CEHHS).

During his nine-year tenure at UNO, Richards helped to accelerate Criss Library as a vibrant, student-centered space that fosters innovation, research, and community. He was driving force behind the formation of the Creative Production Lab, a maker-space, greenscreen, and podcast center that supports creative and academic pursuits of UNO students and faculty. He was instrumental in adopting eBooks and accessible learning materials to meet the needs of online and hybrid learners.

Richards was well known for his tireless advocacy of Open Educational Resources (OER), free- and reduced-cost digital course materials used in lieu of traditional textbooks. The affiliated Open Nebraska program – a partnership between Criss Library, the Digital Learning Team, the UNO bookstore, and the Registrar’s Office – has saved UNO students nearly $10M since its inception in 2018. A faculty research team (led by Dr. Dan Hawkins, Dr. Julie Pelton, and Craig Finlay) studied the impact of Open Nebraska at UNO with the following key findings:

• Compared to non-OER sections, students in OER sections at UNO have 4% lower DFW rates;
• When UNO students are in a course using OER, they are ultimately more successful in the course, earning 5% more A’s compared to non-OER sections;
• Part-time UNO students in OER sections have 8% lower DFW rates than non-OER sections;
• When first generation students at UNO took a course using OER, they earned 10% more A’s compared to non-OER sections.

In his role as Dean, Richards has been a cherished partner to many colleges, units, and individuals across the UNO campus. Several campus leaders shared sentiments about David’s selection for this award:

David and his team have been such great collaborators to our college, and David has helped us to do some wonderful things, such as aggressively integrating open educational resources and embracing new advances in information. Most of all, David has been a model of a well-respected, cheerful leader who has certainly led with his big heart as well as his impressive mind. We will miss him greatly!

- Neal Grandgenett, CEHHS Dean

Hearing DeanRichards’ speak about the impact of OER on teaching, learning, and student finances, one of our College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) donors was inspired to create a fund for CAS faculty to adopt OER in their courses. This has allowed us to partner with Criss Library, who provide OER expertise and support, while we provide additional funding. This partnership would not have been possible without Dave’s leadership.

- Melanie Boom, CAS Dean

He cared deeply about students and, in his delightfully David's way, was always on a mission to convince the deans to encourage their faculty to use open educational resources.

- Martha Garcia-Murillo, IS&T Dean

Throughout his career at UNO, Dean Richards has prominently provided faculty with access to technology in support of excellent and innovative teaching, especially in regard to promoting open educational resources. The Open Nebraska program at UNO, providing no-cost and low-cost course materials to thousands of students, would not be nearly the success it is without Dave's support of the program through Criss Library.

- Dan Hawkins, Director of Online Development

Richards has accepted a new appointment as Dean of the Library at Missouri State University. We wish him all the best in his new role, and we thank him for his tremendous leadership and advocacy of faculty excellence and student success at UNO!