The chapters herein are a compilation of work from College of Information graduate students at the University of Arizona who served as Open Educational Resources (OER) Interns with the OER & Course Materials Director at Pima Community College.

Description of Internship:

Pima Community College is an open-admissions institution of higher education dedicated to providing excellent and affordable education to diverse learners. As part of our commitment to equity and social justice, we are seeking an Open Educational Resources (OER) Interns to join our team for the Spring 2025 semester. This role is ideal for individuals with a commitment to social justice and a passion for helping students succeed. Those interested in learning alongside a librarian in an OER Director role at Pima Community College should complete an application below.

The internship includes professional learning around affordable course content, OER, open pedagogy, copyright, creative commons licensing, strategic planning and library outreach methods. Duties include promoting and organizing OER and zero textbook cost (ZTC) awareness campaigns with student groups and populations on campus and virtually with a lot of room for creativity. In addition, there will be opportunities to work with data, conduct research and provide reference services for faculty and staff. At the end of the semester, Interns will have created an OER in Pressbooks that they can share with potential employers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the OER Director to promote and increase the adoption of OER and affordable course content across campus.
• Design and implement awareness campaigns targeting various student groups and campus communities to educate and inform them about the benefits of OER.
• Participate in strategic planning sessions to develop long-term goals and objectives for the integration of open educational practices within the curriculum.
• Assist in the coordination of workshops and professional learning sessions on open pedagogy and affordable content strategies for faculty and staff.
• Engage in library outreach initiatives to build and strengthen relationships within the college and the broader educational community.
• Contribute creatively to virtual and on-campus promotional activities, leveraging social media and other digital platforms to maximize outreach.

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in or a recent graduate of a degree program related to education, library science, or a similar field.
• Demonstrated interest in educational equity, open access to learning resources, and social justice.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Creativity and initiative in problem-solving and project management.
• Proficiency in digital communication tools and social media platforms.

Goals:

• Gain practical experience in the implementation of OER initiatives within a community college setting.
• Develop professional skills in strategic planning, project management, and community engagement.
• Enhance understanding of OER and its impact on the library field, curriculum development, resource management, and student success.
• Build a network of professional contacts in the field of open educational resources and library services.