Andrea Cripps

Bio

Andrea Cripps, Ph.D., ATC is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Athletic Training graduate program at Bowling Green State University. Prior to joining BGSU she served as clinical education coordinator of the Athletic Training Program at New Mexico State University. Dr. Cripps has degrees from Lake Superior State University, Central Michigan University, and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky in Rehabilitation Science. Dr. Cripps has been a certified athletic trainer for more than 13 years. She was born and raised in Canada where her family still resides. Her research interests focus on sensory deficits and long-term cognitive outcomes of patients with Traumatic Brain Injury, along with innovative teaching and learning practices.

Why I Chose OER

As a first-generation college student from a rural area in Canada, I grew up understanding the importance of financial responsibility. My family didn’t have a lot of extra income, so from an early age, I learned to be resourceful and make every dollar count. When I set my sights on attending college, I knew that affording my education would require a combination of hard work and strategic cost-cutting.

One of the biggest financial burdens for students is the cost of textbooks and course materials. I experienced firsthand how expensive these resources could be and how they sometimes acted as barriers to education. Seeing classmates struggle to afford required texts—and sometimes having to go without—made me realize the impact that open educational resources (OER) could have in reducing financial strain.

This personal experience motivated me to contribute to the growing movement of OER. By creating freely accessible, high-quality educational materials, I hope to help other students, particularly those from underserved communities, access the knowledge they need without financial hardship. Education should be an opportunity for growth, not a source of financial stress, and I believe that open educational resources are a powerful tool for making learning more equitable and inclusive.

Clinical Application Of Therapeutic Modalities

Clinical Application Of Therapeutic Modalities