The Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI) has awarded Franklin College educator Ruchika Rungta, Ph.D., a 2025 PALSave Open Educator Award. The award recognizes innovation and excellence in support of higher education, textbook affordability and student success.

Rungta, an assistant professor of economics, joined the College in 2024. She earned a Ph.D. and a Master of Science in applied economics from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. Before pursuing graduate studies in the United States, she completed a Master of Arts in economics at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi and a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in economics from the University of Delhi, both in Delhi, India. Rungta is a resident of Indianapolis.

Franklin College is a supporting institution of the PALSave: PALNI Affordable Learning Program that funds the awards. The program offers Open Educational Resources (OER) to help lower the cost of higher education and increase resource accessibility for students. Rungta adopted OER in her classrooms with the goal of reducing costs for students, improving access to required texts and increasing student success and retention.

Rungta said, “I’ve used OER to make economics accessible, engaging and relevant. OER lets me pull from multiple readings, case studies and interactive resources, so we can explore topics from different angles and connect them to real-world examples. No expensive textbooks, more flexibility and up-to-date materials mean a dynamic, personalized learning experience designed to spark curiosity and understanding of economics.”

Only ten faculty members from PALNI’s 24 supporting institutions in Indiana were named Open Educator Award recipients for the year.

For more information, contact the Franklin College Office of Communications at (317) 738-8185.