Colorado Open Education Week: Student Panel
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
Spring 3-3-2026
Abstract
The Colorado Open Education Week 2026 Student Panel brings together five students from institutions across Colorado to share their experiences with open educational resources (OER) and zero textbook cost (ZTC) courses. Panelists discuss how access to free and openly licensed learning materials has reduced financial barriers, improved access to course content, and supported their ability to pursue higher education goals. Through personal stories and reflections, students highlight the academic and financial impact of OER adoption, as well as the ways these resources contribute to greater equity and opportunity in higher education.
Speakers include Caterina Belle Azzarello, Doctoral Candidate in Educational Psychology at the University of Northern Colorado; Haylee Carrillo, Young Invincibles and BA Student in Sociology and Criminology at Colorado State University Pueblo; Kate Kaemmerling, Colorado Mountain College; Mallory Reiswig, Communication Studies Student and Vice President of the OER Club at Metropolitan State University of Denver; and Sebastian Barreda, Associate of Arts in Business Studies student at Colorado Northwestern Community College, Resident Assistant, and PTK Treasurer.
The panel is hosted by Brian Healy, M.S., Lecturer of Communication Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Recommended Citation
Azzarello, Caterina B.; Carrillo, Haylee; Kaemmerling, Kate; Reiswig, Mallory; Barreda, Sebastian; and Healy, Brian, "Colorado Open Education Week: Student Panel" (2026). About OER. 11.
https://digscholarship.unco.edu/aboutoer/11