Vision
Open SLCC envisions a future where students at SLCC and beyond have access to high-quality open educational resources and where faculty and practitioners will receive the support to adopt, adapt, create, and share them.
Statement of Purpose
The OER Office advocates for student success and access to affordable learning materials by supporting faculty and practitioners in adopting, adapting, and developing high-quality open educational resources. The OER office leads Open SLCC, a cross-institutional team that provides operational support, guidance on open scholarship, and training in effective open educational practices. Grounded in reciprocal collaboration and outreach, we work with educational and community partners to build a sustainable ecosystem of open resources to strengthen learning for the public good.
Why Open Education?
An Open Champion is an individual who has made a significant contribution in supporting OER work at SLCC and often in the broader open community. Open SLCC would like to congratulate all our faculty, administration, and staff champions. Here we highlight the efforts of our current Open Champions. We also recognize and thank our Past Open Champions.
"I am honored to be recognized by the OER team. It has been a pleasure supporting Andrea Scott and contributing to the team's success. I believe that collaboration creates a stronger and more positive work environment, and it is rewarding to know that my efforts can make a difference for others. The OER team does wonderful work for our students by providing amazing and affordable resources that support their success. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and contribute to such a valuable program. It is especially rewarding to support a resource that benefits so many people."
Yana Yan
Academic Operations Admin
Staff / Administration Open Champion
"I value Open Education because OER helps make quality learning materials accessible to more students, regardless of their financial circumstances or where they come from. Coming from the Philippines, I understand how access to educational resources can shape a student’s opportunities. During my time as an OER Student Advocacy and Outreach Specialist Intern at SLCC, I saw how OER can reduce the cost of education while giving students and educators materials that can be adapted to their needs. I believe resources like OER are sometimes unseen by students, but its impact can be felt in every opportunity it creates."
Paul Tristan Anvir Calpito
OER Outreach Specialist Intern
Student Open Champion
"I adopted Open Educational Resources (OER) in 2013 because textbook costs placed a significant burden on students. While affordability opened the door, academic freedom is what made me an advocate. OER allows faculty to customize, revise, and improve learning materials, bringing their own expertise to create resources that best serve our students. In an age where “free” content is everywhere, OER still stands apart by providing intentionally designed resources shaped by educators rather than publishers. It keeps faculty and student voices at the center while improving the learning experience."
Brenda Gardner
Professor of Mathematics
Full Time Faculty Open Champion
"I love supporting Open Educational Resources because they open doors for students. Everyone deserves access to high-quality learning without worrying about the cost of a textbook. Through my OER project for Statistics for Engineers, I replaced an expensive, highly specialized textbook with free course materials and added immediate homework feedback through Lumen based on student feedback. To me, OER isn't just about affordability—it's about creating engaging, supportive learning experiences that give every student the opportunity to succeed! "
Aimee Birdsall
Associate Professor of Engineering
Full Time Faculty Open Champion
"I am passionate about helping students make connections and gain a deeper understanding. Creating open resources has been an incredible journey of sharing what I've learned with others. All students having access to content in a way that makes learning more attainable is a dream come true! I appreciate my team members and all who work so diligently to contribute to Open Educational Resources. As we continue to work together, we will bring so much light to our SLCC community and to the world!"
Janet Boj
Professor of Mathematics
Adjunct Faculty Open Champion
Frequently Asked Questions
Cost Savings
Since the introduction of the OER to the college in 2014, there has been an estimated $21 million in cost savings for more than 243,000 SLCC students (as of Spring 2022). The rising cost of textbooks can pose a barrier becoming an unnecessary financial worry for SLCC students. OER is one way to help with making higher education more affordable and accessible. For further information, check out our OER By The #s.
Academic Freedom
Creative Commons licenses allow faculty to adapt and create OER customized to their specific teaching style and the needs of their students. It also allows faculty to easily update their resources to reflect up-to-date information.
Students
Interested in taking a course with no-cost/low-cost textbook alternatives? Check out our instructions for locating courses!
Faculty
If you're interested in exploring OER as an option for your course(s) - please schedule a consultation with the Open SLCC office. We can guide you through the initial stages of OER exploration and connect you with additional support to make the process easier. Or visit the faculty pages on this website for more information.