Building Sustainable Open Education Programs

What does it take to build a sustainable open education program? In this episode of Open-Ed Mic, the hosts welcome Abbey Elder, Open Education Services librarian at Iowa State University and creator of the OER Starter Kit.

Elder shares how her work in scholarly communication and open access led her into open education, and how recognizing the need for practical, accessible guidance inspired the creation of the OER Starter Kit. She discusses what successful OER programs have in common, the importance of supporting faculty through institutional change, and why recognition and incentives matter when encouraging open educational practices.

The conversation also explores the relationship between open education and open access, lessons learned from sustainability challenges surrounding article processing charges (APCs), and the evolving role librarians play as advocates, educators, and collaborators.

Looking ahead, Elder reflects on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the opportunities and challenges they present for open education, and why she remains optimistic about the future of the movement.

Whether you’re an educator, librarian, instructional designer, or simply curious about the future of learning, this episode offers practical insights into creating more equitable, sustainable, and impactful educational experiences.

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About our Guest

Abbey Elder serves as the Open Education Services Librarian at Iowa State University, where she provides strategic leadership for the university’s Open Education program. She works with faculty, students, and staff on topics including Open Educational Resources (OER), Open Access, and copyright. Beyond Iowa State, Abbey serves as the Statewide Open Education Coordinator for the Iowa Open Education Action Team (Iowa OER), supporting collaboration and OER initiatives across higher education institutions throughout Iowa while fostering partnerships with K–12 education. She is also widely recognized as the creator of the OER Starter Kit, one of the most influential resources for educators beginning their open education journey. Follow Abbey Elder on LinkedIn

Abbey Elder

Open Education Services Librarian
Iowa State University

Meet Your Hosts

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.