The podcast features Dr. Chris Younkin discussing his research on affordable learning materials at Southern Utah University (SUU). Based on a Fall 2023 survey with 186 respondents, at least 9% of SUU courses (269 sections) use affordable learning materials, including 176 sections specifically using Open Educational Resources (OERs). Younkin emphasizes targeting high-enrollment general education courses for OER adoption to maximize student savings and highlights ongoing efforts to create a statewide hub through the Utah Education Network for sharing OER resources across institutions. While acknowledging the challenges of switching from traditional textbooks, including course redesign requirements, Younkin emphasizes the importance of faculty collaboration, copyright compliance, and starting small when transitioning to affordable materials. He outlines future plans to expand OER adoption at SUU through department outreach, faculty training, and establishing a working group, all while keeping student affordability at the forefront given rising costs of education and living expenses.

In this episode of Southern Utah University's teaching and learning podcast, host Matt McKenzie speaks with Chris Younkin, a scholarly communication librarian, about making college more affordable through learning materials. Younkin, drawing from his own experiences as a non-traditional student, discusses various initiatives including the T-bird textbooks collection (which provides free short-term textbook loans), open educational resources (OER), and inclusive access programs. He emphasizes that textbook costs are often an unexpected burden for students, ranking as the third highest college expense after tuition and housing. The discussion reveals both opportunities and challenges in making educational materials more accessible, with Younkin advocating for faculty to utilize available resources, including his expertise in navigating OER repositories, to help reduce costs for students while maintaining or improving educational quality.

Join us as we dive into the evolving relationship between faculty and students with disabilities at Southern Utah University. We explore how new accommodations, especially for mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, are being integrated into both in-person and online classrooms. Faculty members share their experiences, challenges, and successes in creating a more inclusive learning environment. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or student, this conversation sheds light on the practical ways we can better support all learners. Don’t miss this insightful episode!

In this excerpt from the Center for Teaching Innovation Podcast, Matt McKenzie introduces Dr. Richard Saunders, a professor at Southern Utah University with a background in academic publishing. Saunders shares his experience working in the academic and commercial publishing sectors and discusses how scholarly publishing has dramatically shifted in the last 15 years, particularly with the move to digital platforms. They touch on the changes in accessing scholarly materials, with digital access largely replacing print journals, and the rise of predatory publishers. Saunders emphasizes the importance of understanding one's field and selecting the right journal for publishing. He advises aspiring scholars to focus on where their work best fits and not worry about prestige initially, highlighting the value of peer review and clear, reader-focused writing.

In this episode of the Center for Teaching Innovation Podcast, Matt McKenzie interviews Aimee DiBrienza, the Assistant Director of Adult and Workforce Education at Southern Utah University's (SUU) Community and Workforce Development Program. They discuss the benefits of partnering with local businesses and industry leaders to enhance students' academic experiences. Aimee shares how SUU collaborates with companies like Best Friends Animal Society and various advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity organizations to create programs that align with industry needs. These partnerships help students acquire practical skills and sometimes lead to SUU degree programs, making education more accessible and impactful, especially for adult learners balancing careers and personal lives. The conversation highlights the importance of customizing curriculum based on industry demands and adult learners' schedules, with a focus on short-form courses that fit their busy lives.

In this episode, we explore teaching unions in higher education. Dr. Brianne Kramer and Dr. Gretchen Ellefson are two active American Federation of Teachers (AFT) members at Southern Utah University. They discuss the benefits of teaching unions not just for faculty and staff but for students as well.

The Student Outreach & Support (SOS) Office at Southern Utah University provides support, non-clinical interventions, advocacy, and referrals for students experiencing challenges in their personal and academic lives. The Student Outreach & Support team is comprised of non-clinical case managers who meet with students to gain an understanding of their needs and to identify personal strengths. In this episode, we learn more how learners and faculty can benefit from SUU's Student Outreach & Support office.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Chelsea Gambles, we continue to discuss the impact pre-learning strategies have on our learners. As part of this conversation, we discuss the right to self-determination, the timing of pre-learning strategies, and learner choice.

In this episode, we learn from Chelsea Gambles about how to better prepare our learners for tough topics and conversations. Chelsea goes over pre-learning strategies that instructors should consider prior to introducing topics that will be challenging for learners.

Academic freedom and free speech are topics across universities nationwide. But what do these two terms mean and how do they differ? In this episode, Brianne Kramer and Kelly Goonan share their perspectives on these two topics. We discuss the "chill effect" that comes with legislative actions and consider the path forward for academia.

Last year, Ashleigh Zimmerman had the opportunity to do a speaking series on conflict resolution. The insights she gained while talking about conflict resolution were astounding. Did students entering college have conflict resolution skills? How can faculty and instructors help prepare students for dealing with conflict not only within the classroom but in everyday life.

Join host, Tony Pellegrini, as he sits down with Southern Utah University's Staff Association President to discuss the impact a staff association can have on learners.

In episode 48, Tony Pellegrini and Marvin Dodge discuss some of the changes in education that have occurred over the years. From mental health to online education, they explore different areas that are impacting not only Southern Utah University but higher education in general.

In this episode of SUU's Center for Teaching Innovation Podcast, guest host Matthew McKenzie sits down with the professional staff of SUU's Sponsored Programs, Agreements, Research & Contracts (SPARC) Office to discuss additional information about getting grants at SUU. As a follow-up to the last episode, SPARC's professional staff members talk more about the life cycle of grants at SUU, key compliance factors involving grants, and how each team members' role can help SUU faculty make the most out of any grant received.

Getting a grant can seem very complicated and maybe it is. However, at Southern Utah University (SUU) it is a little bit easier. Faculty and staff have a team dedicated to help them through the process of locating, applying, receiving, and completing grants. This team of superpowered individuals is called the Office of Sponsored Programs, Research, Agreements, & Contracts or SPARC. In part one of our two part series in learning about the SPARC office, we will meet the student team members that can do a lot of the leg work when seeking out a grant at SUU. Join us as we talk with SUU's SPARC office student team members Lawrence Mbaki, Abigail Orozco, and Carson Brown as we begin to delve into grants at SUU.

As we head toward the end of 2023, host Tony Pellegrini sits down with SUU's new Vice President of Finance & Chief Financial Officer. In this episode, VP Pearson discusses her views of the shifts at SUU including online education and learner choice.

In this episode, host Tony Pellegrini talks with SUU Professor Matt Barton. Along with exploring teaching and learning at SUU, they also discuss teaching activities, the teaching environment, and changes that have occurred over the years.

Donna Law is a 2023 SUU Board of Trustees Award of Excellence winner. During this episode, host Tony Pellegrini discusses with Donna her journey starting with SUU's Shakespeare Festival to other part of the U.S. and then back to SUU. As the conversation continue, Donna shares her experience in working with Utah's State Legislature as she works to help SUU receive funds that impact student learning at SUU.

In this episode, guest host Matt McKenzie discusses with SUU professors Julie McCown and Scott Knowles what it means to create an inclusive environment in an higher education classroom. They explore the definition of inclusive classroom and strategies faculty members can utilize to make subtle changes to their pedagogy to be more inclusive.

In the first episode of the 2023-24 academic year, host Tony Pellegrini sits down with Southern Utah University President, Mindy Benson as she starts her second year as president. President Benson shares her view of SUU's past and how it will shape SUU's future. President Benson discusses the 3 P's of SUU: Purpose, People, and Place, and how these three P's are part of the new strategic plan of SUU.