Jersey City, N.J. – November 21, 2024 – The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) has recognized Philip Sookram, associate professor of accounting in the Frank J. Guarini School of Business at Saint Peter’s University, as a 2024 Ovation Award winner in the Innovation category. This accolade celebrates individuals who are revolutionizing the accounting field by embracing transformative technologies, pioneering data analytics and implementing innovative business practices.
The NJCPA’s Innovation category specifically highlights professionals who are driving forward-thinking change in accounting—leveraging emerging technologies, implementing data-driven strategies and enhancing engagement through creative approaches. Sookram earned this honor for his exceptional contributions to Open Educational Resources (OER), which are freely accessible teaching and learning materials available online to a global audience.
Sookram’s work in OER includes developing comprehensive accounting modules on Pressbooks, an open-source digital publishing platform. These modules are designed to enhance the accessibility of accounting education by providing resources in multiple formats, such as ebooks, webbooks, and PDFs.
“We are very proud of Professor Sookram’s prestigious recognition from the NJCPA,” said Kimberly Reeve, Ph.D., KPMG dean of the Frank J. Guarini School of Business at Saint Peter’s University. “His innovative work in developing Open Educational Resources not only enriches our students’ learning but also expands access to quality accounting education. Professor Sookram embodies the spirit of innovation we strive for at the Guarini School of Business.”
Sookram’s initiative to create OER was catalyzed by his participation in the OER Summer Institute at Saint Peter’s University, funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Title V Grant, “Ensuring Success for the New Majority Student.” This program provides faculty with stipends, training sessions, a collaborative learning community and access to Pressbooks, empowering them to adapt or create open textbooks that enhance student engagement and reduce educational costs. Sookram emphasizes, “In the pursuit of making education equitable for all, I believe this is the future of teaching, learning and development.”
“Saint Peter’s OER initiative not only supports our faculty in developing high-quality, interactive course materials but also embodies our commitment to making education more inclusive and accessible,” said Daisy DeCoster, director of the Theresa and Edward O’Toole Library and coordinator of the OER Summer Institutes. “By contributing to the broader OER movement, we are helping to lower educational barriers and enrich the academic community at large.”
Learn more about Sookram’s work with OER and view the other 2024 Ovation Award winners.
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