Hillsborough College has been recognized with the 2025-2026 Innovation of the Year Award for its Artificial Intelligence Open Educational Resources (AI OER) Creation Program. The award was presented by the League for Innovation in the Community College, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating innovation in the community college environment.
Created through the College’s Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) initiative, the AI OER Creation Program helps faculty develop free textbooks and educational materials faster by using AI tools, stipends and structured support. While traditional open educational resource development can take one to two years, Hillsborough College has reduced textbook creation timelines to as little as six months while maintaining academic quality and accessibility standards.
The first AI-developed textbook, Introduction to Financial Technology, filled a critical curricular gap. Each textbook developed meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards, ensuring full accessibility. The program now supports ZTC degree and certificate pathways that help students save money on course materials.
College staff and faculty involved in this initiative include:
- Deborah Barr, associate professor, sociology
- Melissa Brooks, instructor, business
- Eric Fiske, professor, political science
- Ilene Frank, reference librarian
- Kristin Heathcock, dean, associate in science programs, Brandon Campus
- Josh Hill, instructional designer II, faculty professional development
- Lana Iapicco, instructor, communication
- Mo Kotaiche, chair and faculty, FinTech
- Zeinab Motawe, instructor, biology
- Andrew Seely, instructor, computer science
- Carol Stallworth, assistant professor, chemistry
- Shelley Stewart, instructor, computer science
- Marie Louise Torres, professor, communication
For more information about the award and the League for Innovation in the Community College, visit league.org/2025-2026-innovation-year-award-winner-hillsborough-college.
Hillsborough College serves more than 46,000 students annually at its five campuses located throughout Tampa Bay. For more information, visit hcfl.edu.
Hillsborough College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Hillsborough College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Hillsborough College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Visit hcfl.edu/accreditation for more information.