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 With no-cost textbooks, students aren't forced to purchase something that'll be outdated in a few months.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 I'm happy that my students don't have to purchase materials that'll soon be outdated like I did!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.