Quill West is an inspirational leader who has motivated faculty, students, and institutions worldwide to adopt and advance the use of openly licensed resources. Her work demonstrates that the value of OER goes far beyond dollars saved—success is also measured in improved student achievement, faculty satisfaction, and stronger advocacy for open education.
As a contributor to the Open Course Library, the Washington State I-DEA Grant, and the national Kaleidoscope Project, Quill has supported faculty in developing openly licensed materials, including complete courses.
At Tacoma Community College (TCC), Quill designed and led an OER initiative that has saved students over one million dollars. Under her leadership, the TCC project became a model for institutions across the country, inspiring faculty to share their course materials and contributing to national adoption of high-enrollment OER courses such as English 101, Public Speaking, and U.S. Government.
Now serving as Open Education Project Manager at Pierce College, Quill continues to expand access and affordability. Her guidance at military campuses, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord, is helping soldiers and their families return to school without the burden of textbook costs. Faculty there are moving steadily toward offering a full degree pathway with zero textbook expenses, ensuring education is more accessible for those who serve.
