Massachusetts Maritime Academy Faculty Honored for Open Educational Resources Innovation
Dr. Paul Szwed of Massachusetts Maritime Academy receives recognition for his development of Open Educational Resources, significantly reducing textbook costs for students and enhancing global access to maritime business education.
Dr. Paul Szwed, a faculty member at Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), has been awarded the 2025 Silver Faculty OER Award by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education's OER Advisory Council. This accolade celebrates his exceptional contributions to creating Open Educational Resources (OER) for International Maritime Business courses, including Project Management Fundamentals and Supply Chain Management. These resources, freely available online, have saved students hundreds of dollars per semester in textbook costs, making education more accessible and affordable.
The significance of Dr. Szwed's work extends beyond cost savings. By developing OER, he has democratized access to quality educational materials, not only for MMA students but also for learners worldwide. This initiative aligns with MMA's mission to support faculty and student curricula needs through accessible, scholarly information resources. The recognition of Dr. Szwed's efforts underscores the growing importance of OER in higher education, highlighting how innovative teaching methods can bridge gaps in educational accessibility and affordability.
Carolyn Michaud, MMA Library Director, emphasized the dual benefits of Dr. Szwed's OER: they fulfill the library's mission of providing accessible resources and support the Academy's educational objectives. Dean of Undergraduate Studies, James McKenna, Ph.D., praised Dr. Szwed for embodying the spirit of learning and knowledge sharing. This award not only honors Dr. Szwed's dedication but also sets a precedent for the adoption of OER in public higher education, potentially influencing other institutions to explore similar initiatives for the betterment of students and the global academic community.