Name: Mary Purvis What are some of the classes you teach? General Physics and Astronomy How long have you been with CVTC? About 20 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 11 years for my Physics classes What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Using an OER textbook allows me to have a stable curriculum for my course. The concepts taught in first semester Physics have not changed in the last 50 years. When I used a textbook from a publisher, the scope and sequence of the book, the content, and the problem sets changed every two to three years. I was always changing my lessons to match the publishers changed content. When I switched to an OER book, I got off the textbook merry-go-round. I could spend more time contextualizing the lessons for the programs I was working with. I could spend more time inventing labs and being creative. I wasn't wasting time constantly updating lessons because the book changed. Yes, it was more ...

Name: Jen Feltes What are some of the classes you teach? Healthcare IT, Human Disease for Health Professionals, Health Quality Management, and Medical Terminology How long have you been with CVTC? 6 years, 3 years as full-time faculty and 3 years as adjunct How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 1 year What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Ease of access for all students. We no longer need to wait for textbooks to arrive or until students can afford to purchase the textbook. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? In the fall of 2023, over $20,000, which does not include the savings for transcripted credit students in area high schools.

Name: JR Smathers What are some of the classes you teach? Photoshop Fundamentals, Typography Fundamentals, Motion Graphics, and Design Photography How long have you been with CVTC? 2 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Since the start! What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? A lot of the courses I teach focus on the Adobe software, which is updated frequently with a major update annually. With no-cost textbooks, students aren't forced to purchase something that'll be outdated in a few months. During my freshman year of college, I purchased a $100+ Adobe Photoshop CS4 textbook, only for the CS5 update to be released towards the end of my first semester. I'm happy that my students don't have to purchase materials that'll soon be outdated like I did! Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? $60-100 per course Fun fact: In 2014, I was part of a team that made a docu...

Name: Cathi LaFontaine What are some of the classes you teach? Marketing Principles, Advertising, and Entrepreneurial Communications How long have you been with CVTC? 20 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? For all my courses over the last four years. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? It's easier to update the content that changes rapidly, so students will always get the most recent information in our industry. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? From $75 to $200. Fun fact: I love to play trivia and my team is going to league championship, so I know a lot of random stuff!

Name: Rebecca Wicks What are some of the classes you teach? Nursing Fundamentals, Nursing Advanced Skills, and Nursing Clinicals (1st, 2nd and 4th semesters) How long have you been with CVTC? 3 years, since August of 2021. How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Since I started working at CVTC: 3 years. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Student accessibility. Having no-cost textbooks ensures that all students are included in the sharing of knowledge. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Approximately $1,000 per year. Fun fact: I am originally from Maine!

Name: Laurie Boettcher What are some of the classes you teach? Digital Marketing Strategy, Digital Campaigns, Digital Analytics, Digital Content Writing, Visual Design, and Personal Branding How long have you been with CVTC? 11 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 4 years What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? There are no barriers to my students getting the materials. ALL of my students have access to the materials to help them succeed. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Depending on the course, it ranges from $20 to over $200 per student per course. If you've created a textbook, manuscript, etc., would you mind sharing a link to the text? Digital Marketing Campaigns Course Resource Packet Fun fact: I have been featured in the New York Times , USA Today , and Business Insider for my expertise on LinkedIn for college students.

Name: Nicole Breed What are some of the classes you teach? Children's & Young Adult Literature, Information Literacy, Library & Web Technologies, Information Ethics, and School Library Principles How long have you been with CVTC? 4 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? The entire time I've been here: 4 years. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? The savings for students and that it encourages them to utilize the library and its resources. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? A couple hundred dollars a semester, at least. Fun fact: I played the librarian in a local production of Matilda: the Musical!

Name: April Foss What are some of the classes you teach? I am a faculty member in the Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program. I teach Basic Lab Skills, Phlebotomy, Coagulation, Hematology, Urinalysis, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. How long have you been with CVTC? I have been with CVTC 10 years, starting as an adjunct phlebotomy instructor and a full-time MLT faculty for 7 years. How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? I was on board with this concept when it was discussed at a faculty in-service about four years ago. I have consistently worked with our library department each year since to move our courses towards affordable options. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? As a faculty member, I like the convenience. I have worked with the library staff to offer students online access of the recommended textbook through Canvas. It's as easy as inserting a link. We previously utilized paper lab manuals, bu...

Name: Jenna Raths What are some of the classes you teach? Basic Nursing Skills How long have you been with CVTC? 4.5 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 1.5 years What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? As the program director, I have the privilege of sharing with students that their first semester of nursing school will be all no-cost textbooks that are interactive, evidence-based, and accessible anywhere! Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Hundreds of dollars for their first semester! Fun fact: I helped as a contributing author to the Nursing Skills and Nursing Management & Professional Concepts OER texts.

Name: Jeff LeCount What are some of the classes you teach? Speech, Oral Interpersonal Communication, and Applied Communication How long have you been with CVTC? This is my 20th year at CVTC. How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? I have been using OER/AER for the last 3-4 years. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? I think my favorite aspect of OER/AER texts is the fact that they are often electronically available. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? The savings for students is usually between $75-150 per book. Fun fact: If people ask me how I'm doing, I usually respond with some weird statement like, "I've pretty much got life down to the point where I'm only crazy on the days that end in 'Y'!"

Name: Dawn Barone What are some of the classes you teach? Mental Health & Community Concepts, Advanced Nursing Skills, and Intermediate Clinical Practice (Behavioral Health) How long have you been with CVTC? This past spring was my sixth semester. How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? About a year. I trialed our OER for Mental Health in my summer 2022 course, and we transitioned into using it this past fall. Since this past spring semester, we are now fully integrated with the OER for Metal Health. I also helped prepare for the OER for Advanced Skills to be trialed in the spring 2023 semester. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? They are so convenient —not only for students but for me too! I love being able to have the OER saved on my bookmarks to easily access them when I need them for preparing for class or planning the semester or reviewing items with students. Students love them for the low-cost and for the convenienc...

Name: Marian Smith What are some of the classes you teach? Online Success Strategies, Editing & Proofreading, and Information Design How long have you been with CVTC? 20 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? At least the past five years. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Using low-cost and no-cost textbooks/resources helps students save so much money. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Thousands of dollars over the past few years. Fun fact: Each semester, I teach classes that are required for students in three different programs. I can see how the use of affordable/free resources has a direct impact on students' success.

Name: Jennifer Cook What are some of the classes you teach? Reference Services, Adult Literature, and Outreach & Community Services How long have you been with CVTC? 5 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 5 years — when we started the program, we set out to have no-cost textbooks from day one. What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? In the library world, things are constantly changing. I am always able to pull the most recent information about trends and news and update them every semester. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? $5,000/semester Fun fact: I am an avid gardener and have backyard chickens!

Name: Joe Sonsalla What are some of the classes you teach? Introductory Psychology courses How long have you been with CVTC? 25 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 7 years What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Knowing I am helping students lighten their financial burden without sacrificing their content knowledge opportunities. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? As of today, $305,000 in total textbook cost savings for students in my courses alone. Several other members in the Humanities, Behavioral, and Social Sciences Department are also now using no-cost/low-cost resources.

Name: Jessica Stensen What are some of the classes you teach? Basic Skills & Intermediate Clinical DEU How long have you been with CVTC? 4.5 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? A couple of years What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? The savings for the students and how readily available it is to students and faculty anywhere! Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? A couple hundred dollars! Fun fact: I love sitting in the middle of fields taking in all the scenery, sounds, and scents.

Name: Sue Dzubay What are some of the classes you teach? Mental Health & Community Concepts and Reentry into Nursing Practice How long have you been with CVTC? I was hired in 2015 and started teaching students in the spring of 2016. How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? I have been using no-cost textbooks for the past three years, specifically open educational resources (OER). What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? My favorite part of using low or no-cost textbooks is the access students have to current concepts and best practices in client care. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Students save between $89 and $135, depending on the textbook. If you've created a textbook, manuscript, etc., would you mind sharing a link to the text? I am a contributing author to Nursing: Mental Health and Community Concepts Fun fact: I enjoy canning my garden produce.

Name: Kelly Wenzel What are some of the classes you teach? Nursing Pharmacology & Nursing Advanced Skills How long have you been with CVTC? Since 2015 How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 2+ years What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? The accessibility it offers to all students in their course(s) is unparalleled. It is a current resource that allows effortless accessibility in and outside the classroom for both the instructor and students with the ease of a digital device. I also find that the OER includes opportunities for interactive learning, such as the use of videos, case studies, knowledge checks, etc., which can be great tools to promote confidence and understanding. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? $125+ per student If you've created a textbook, manuscript, etc., would you mind sharing a link to the text? I was a peer reviewer for the Nursing Pharmacology textbook...

Name:  Emily O'Meara What are some of the classes you teach? Basic Nursing Skills & Clinical Care Across the Lifespan How long have you been with CVTC? 3 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 1 year What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? How easily accessible they are for students and staff! Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? $230 Fun fact: I can whistle three different ways!

Name:  Ranae DaBruzzi What are some of the classes you teach? Pharmacology, Advanced Skills, and Clinicals (1st, 3rd, and 4th semesters) How long have you been with CVTC? 3 years How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 3 years What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? They are able to be accessed anywhere and students don't have to stress about the cost of the textbook. They have all the material and information they need because it is easy to access for them. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Not sure of the exact number, but it has to be thousands of dollars. Fun fact: I grew up less than a mile away from my husband!

Name: Kayla Levasseur What are some of the classes you teach? Pharmacology, Health Alterations, and Clinical How long have you been with CVTC? 5 semesters How long have you been using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? 4 semesters What is your favorite part of using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? Aside from the cost savings, my favorite part is the availability to students. They get iPads their first semester and can use that to access the book and be able to download it when not connected to WiFi. They also don't have to carry around a big, heavy book. Any estimated student cost savings from using low-cost and/or no-cost textbooks? For Pharmacology, it saves on average $21,240 per year.