PALNI welcomes Helton as Affordable Learning Program Manager

INDIANAPOLIS—The Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) is pleased to announce that Emily Helton has joined the organization as Affordable Learning Program Manager, supporting the PALSave: PALNI Affordable Learning Program. Helton began her role  January 20 and will work with PALNI libraries and campus partners to expand access to zero-cost instructional materials across the consortium’s 23 private colleges, universities, and seminaries.

In this role, Helton coordinates PALSave program operations, supports faculty grant initiatives, develops training and resources, and contributes expertise in open educational resources (OER) and open pedagogy. Her work helps campuses reduce textbook costs while supporting high-quality, student-centered teaching and learning.

“I am excited to join the PALNI community! I will be working with and alongside faculty, staff, and administrators to find affordable solutions that have a meaningful impact on student outcomes,” says Helton. “Adopting OER is an important first step toward equitable education, ensuring that all students can access learning materials for their courses, but there is so much more that we can do with openly-licensed materials. From students working with faculty members to revise texts and create ancillary materials to finding ways to bring student experiences into the curriculum, open pedagogy practices are ways to meaningfully center students in the learning process.” 

Supported by Lilly Endowment Inc., the PALSave Affordable Learning Program drives student success through zero-cost learning materials by funding faculty to review, adopt, adapt, and create OER across Indiana’s private colleges. PALNI recently received a $1.34 million grant to launch the next phase of this transformative work. The four-year initiative, Strengthening the PALSave Affordable Learning Program for Greater Impact, builds on PALSave’s success in reducing textbook costs, expanding access to learning materials, and empowering faculty to advance open educational practices.

“Emily brings a rare combination of pedagogical expertise, research-informed practice, and hands-on experience with OER,” says Amanda Hurford, PALNI Scholarly Communications Director. “Her work is deeply aligned with PALSave’s goals, and I’m excited for the guidance and perspective she will bring to our affordable learning initiatives.”

Prior to joining PALNI, Helton worked across K–12 and higher education as an educator, instructional designer, and professional development facilitator. She designed and delivered workshops and webinars focused on effective instructional strategies, student engagement, and the integration of technology and OER. Helton earned her doctorate from West Virginia University in Educational Theory and Practice, where her research focused on open pedagogy and inclusive, student-centered learning, and she brings a strong foundation in pedagogy, curriculum design, and educator support to her role at PALNI.

For more information about the PALSave: PALNI Affordable Learning Program, visit palni.org/palsave. 

###

About Lilly Endowment Inc.

Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family — J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli — through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. More information can be found at www.lillyendowment.org. 

About the Private Academic Library Network of Indiana

The Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) is a non-profit organization that supports collaboration for library and information services for 23 colleges, universities and seminaries throughout the state. From its inception in 1992, the PALNI collaboration has been a key avenue for its supported institutions to contain costs while providing more effective library services. More recently, PALNI has adopted a model of deep collaboration that pools resources and people as a tool to expand services while containing costs. Simultaneously, PALNI is expanding collaboration within its institutions and with external library partners to address challenges and build cost-effective services. Visit the PALNI website for more information. (www.palni.org)

PALNI Supported Institutions

Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary | Anderson University | Bethel University | Butler University | Concordia Theological Seminary | Christian Theological Seminary | DePauw University | Earlham College | Franklin College | Goshen College | Grace College | Hanover College | Huntington University | Manchester University | Marian University | University of Saint Francis | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary’s College | Saint Meinrad’s Seminary and School of Theology | Taylor University | Trine University | University of Indianapolis | Wabash College