Introduction to Earth Science textbook wins statewide award
Laura Neser holds a copy of the award-winning "Introduction to Earth Science" textbook. Photo by Chase Parker with Virginia Tech.
On Sept. 24, 2025, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) named Laura Neser’s open textbook, “Introduction to Earth Science,” a winner of the inaugural Virginia Open Educational Resource Impact Award.
This award honors open educational resources (OER) that demonstrate innovation, accessibility, and measurable classroom impact across the Commonwealth, celebrating the power of freely available, high-quality learning materials to make education more equitable and affordable. Neser’s textbook was one of three selected for the distinction.
Awardees were recognized at VIVA’s annual Open and Affordable Community Forum in November, where state leaders and educators gathered to celebrate advancements in open education.
“These authors have helped Virginia students by creating free educational materials, and they deserve our thanks and recognition,” said Scott Fleming, SCHEV executive director. “Making college more affordable for all students is one of our key priorities.”
Genya O’Gara, VIVA director, added, “These resources exemplify the innovative open educational work happening across Virginia and demonstrate how these types of resources eliminate cost barriers and advance student learning.”
For Neser, an instructor in Virginia Tech’s Department of Geosciences, the recognition is both humbling and affirming.
“It’s so rewarding and validating to be recognized by SCHEV and VIVA with this award,” Neser said. “When I first started exploring open educational resources, my goal was primarily to remove barriers for students in my own class, with the added bonus that anyone in the world could access and learn from the book. This recognition really affirms the value of open educational resources in modern education and reinforces my commitment to making learning more accessible and engaging for students.”
A textbook designed for access and impact
Virginia Tech Publishing released the first edition and award-winning “Introduction to Earth Science” in 2022 as a free, digital alternative to traditional commercial textbooks. The resource introduces foundational Earth science concepts through clear writing, engaging visuals, and review questions that facilitate learning.
At Virginia Tech, Neser uses the textbook in her GEOS 1004: Introduction to Earth Science course, which serves hundreds of non-science majors each semester.
The textbook’s influence extends far beyond Blacksburg. Since its release, online visitors have downloaded it more than 193,000 times, adopted it by over 54 colleges and universities, and viewed it in 100 countries worldwide — from the United States and Canada to the Philippines, Nigeria, and Australia.
“I’m most proud that this project actually makes a difference for students and instructors alike,” Neser said. “It started as a way to remove barriers in my own classroom, but knowing that anyone can access the book and use it to learn makes the work feel even more meaningful.”
Removing barriers to education
Neser said open educational resources transform how educators think about teaching and access to knowledge. By removing financial barriers and empowering instructors to customize materials, OER can improve both affordability and learning outcomes.
“I believe that the biggest impact of open textbooks is that they remove financial barriers while still providing access to high-quality resources,” she said. “For example, 2,250 of my students have used my free textbook thus far, representing a significant cost savings.”
The Virginia Open Educational Resource Impact Award highlights the growing momentum around open education in Virginia and across higher education. By recognizing educators like Neser, SCHEV and VIVA are underscoring the importance of innovation that prioritizes both access and excellence.
“This project started small, but its reach and impact have exceeded my expectations,” Neser said. “Knowing that it’s helping students not only at Virginia Tech, but around the world, is the most rewarding part of all.”
