In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, the conversation centers around the role of open education in tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), featuring insights from Amy Chen, the program director for open education at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AHEC). The discussion highlights the unique characteristics of TCUs, the importance of culturally relevant educational resources, and the challenges faced in implementing open education initiatives. The episode emphasizes the need for community engagement, the integration of indigenous knowledge, and the future potential of open education to benefit both tribal and non-tribal communities.

Amy Chen is the Program Director for Open Education at the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), where she leads initiatives to strengthen open education across Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). In this role, she works to expand access to culturally relevant, high-quality, and affordable learning resources through the integration of open educational resources (OER), faculty development, and collaborative networks. With a deep commitment to capacity building and community-driven approaches that honor Indigenous knowledge systems, Amy has been instrumental in connecting TCUs to national and international open education movements, ensuring their voices shape the future of equitable and inclusive learning.

Amy also serves on the CCC OER and DOERS committees and previously worked as a medical editor, project manager, and academic librarian. She earned her PhD in English from Emory University and is the author of Placing Papers: The American Literary Archives Market (2020) and 1,000+ Tips for Life Inside and Outside the Academy (2022). Her recent article, “Designing an OER Outreach Program for Tribal Colleges and Universities with Fall 2024 Commercial Book Adoption Data,” was published in the Journal of Open Educational Resources in Higher Education (JOERHE).

Program Director for Open Education

Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.

Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.

In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, hosts Zach, Brittany, and Kevin engage with Jonathan Lashley, an advocate for open education. Jonathan shares his journey from being a student to becoming an academic technology program manager, emphasizing the importance of open educational resources (OER) and practices. The conversation explores the evolution of open education, the significance of community building, and the challenges of navigating educational policies. Jonathan also discusses the intersection of AI and open education, highlighting the need for responsible integration of technology in teaching and learning.

Dr. Jonathan Lashley is an accomplished educator, strategist, and national leader in the open education community. He currently serves as the Associate Chief Academic Officer for the Idaho State Board of Education, where he advances initiatives that promote equitable access to learning through open educational resources and innovative teaching practices.

With a professional background spanning instructional design, faculty development, and systems-level leadership, Dr. Lashley has collaborated with colleges and universities across the United States to strengthen institutional capacity for open education. His work emphasizes the thoughtful integration of open resources and practices to expand opportunity, support diverse student needs, and align with a wide range of institutional missions.

Dr. Lashley brings a nuanced perspective on how open education can foster collaboration, drive innovation, and ensure long-term sustainability across higher education systems.

Senior Director of Student Success and P20 Alignment

Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.

Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.

In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, the conversation revolves around the evolution of open education, focusing on the journey of Liliana Diaz, her research on open educational resources (OER), and the broader implications for student success and educational policy. The discussion highlights the transition from viewing OER primarily as a cost-saving measure to recognizing its impact on student outcomes and persistence. Challenges in data collection and the importance of course markings for accessibility are also addressed, alongside the need for policy frameworks that support open education initiatives. The episode concludes with an optimistic outlook on the future of open education, emphasizing the commitment of educators to continue this vital work regardless of funding constraints.

Dr. Liliana Diaz Solodukhin has over a decade of experience in higher education including roles in admissions, financial aid, advising, and community engagement at two- and four-year institutions. Previously, she was a senior policy analyst at WICHE advancing Open Educational Resources (OER) adoption nationally. She now serves at the Colorado Department of Higher Education as Senior Director of Student Success and P20 Alignment. A Colorado learner, she earned a B.A. in film studies, a B.S. in journalism, and a technology certificate from CU Boulder, along with a master’s and doctorate in higher education from the University of Denver.

Senior Director of Student Success and P20 Alignment

Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.

Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.

In this inaugural episode of Open-Ed Mic, the hosts discuss their personal journeys into open education, highlighting the importance of accessibility and affordability in higher education. They share their experiences as students and educators, emphasizing the need for open educational resources to alleviate financial burdens on students. The conversation also touches on the evolving perspectives of faculty regarding open education and the influence of student voices in advocating for change. The episode concludes with reflections on the significance of diverse experiences in shaping the future of open education.

Explore our Open-Ed Mic podcast for practical guidance and inspiring stories about open education. Discover how to incorporate OER materials into your course while connecting with a community dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through openness.

Your hosts—Kevin Corcoran, Zach Claybaugh, Brittany Dudek, and Dr. Michael A. Mills—bring decades of combined expertise as prominent thought leaders in open educational resources (OER) within higher education. With extensive backgrounds spanning digital learning, library science, student success initiatives, and strategic leadership at state and national levels, they have collectively shaped policies, driven impactful initiatives, and advocated passionately for increased access to education. Their collaborative approach highlights their deep commitment to advancing open education practices, ensuring quality, affordability, and accessibility for learners everywhere.

Want to discover how openness is reshaping education? Tune into Open-Ed Mic for insightful conversations and stories from leaders transforming teaching and learning through open educational resources. Get Ready—New Episodes Are on the Way!