RLOE Student Mentors

Oscoela Heard is a student at Bates College, class of 2023, and also serves as student advisor for The Institute for a Racially Just, Inclusive, and Open STEM Education (RIOS). The RIOS Institute is a virtual synthesis center led by a diverse set of individuals at the interface of open education, STEM post-secondary education, and leadership in social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (SJEDI).

Kassidy Fegles-Jones (she/her/hers) is a 3rd year student at Western Oregon University, studying Political Science. She is graduating a year early, and is pursuing a Master’s degree at PSU. Kassidy served as the Director of Equity for the student government at WOU, in addition to multiple leadership roles that championed(es) addressing disparities within the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and underrepresented communities. She is new to open pedagogy, but uses her unique story to address the challenges of surviving in higher education.

David Draper (They/Them) is a 5th year Arts student at the University of Alberta. They served as the Vice President Academic of the University of Alberta Student’s Union for the 2020/2021 academic year, focusing on issues of equity in online learning, critical pedagogy, and open education.

Elizabeth Braatz (she/her/hers) is a 4th year student at Western Oregon University studying Criminal Justice. She has been an advocate since 16 years old for systemic, historical, and institutional barriers that impact the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and underrepresented communities in society. Elizabeth currently serves as the Senate President for the student government at Western Oregon University. Elizabeth continues to work on initiatives pertaining to open pedagogy with the intention of addressing disparities in higher education. 

I’m a business management student at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSUP) and I started working in OER in the summer of 2021. I was approached by the OER director of CSUP because I’d had already worked with the student led academic journal on campus known as El Rio. He asked me to apply, and I got the job! Ever since I’ve enjoyed helping make, edit, or help find OER textbooks that professors can use instead of the expensive textbooks that just burden students.