Northeast focused its efforts on its technology initiative for its second Apple Distinguished School honor including lowering the cost of textbooks for students, saving students over $7 million, increased student success, increased student satisfaction and positive pandemic enrollment trends. "Many years ago, we started on this journey with iPads and to partner with Apple," said Northeast vice president of instruction Dr. Michelle Baragona. "We also started a process of bringing in Open Educational Resources for our students and the purpose of that was to make college relevant, equitable and affordable and that's what we've been able to do with our Apple Distinguished School recognition." Through its use of Open Educational Resources (OER), Northeast has been able to save its students more than $7 million through not only faculty grants but the Mississippi Z-degree program.
