Representing Marian University’s Department of Languages and Cultures, Julia Baumgardt, Ph.D., and Professor Rishani De Costa have earned the 2025 PALSave Open Educator Award in recognition of their dedication to improving student learning through open and affordable educational resources. Both were honored for their innovative efforts to make course materials more accessible and to advance Marian’s mission of academic excellence and inclusion.
The PALSave Open Educator Awards, presented by the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI), celebrate faculty who champion open educational practices that reduce financial barriers for students. Through their work, Dr. Baumgardt and Professor De Costa exemplify the impact of open resources in creating greater equity and opportunity across the classroom.
Marian University also extends gratitude to Caitlin Balgeman of the university’s library, whose collaboration and guidance supported this initiative. Her work, along with the dedication of the award recipients, demonstrates the power of partnership in fostering affordability, innovation, and student success.