Eastern Arizona College Creates Equity, Access, and Convenience

Eastern Arizona College (EAC), a two-year, public institution prioritized equity, service, and convenience when they partnered with Akademos as their online bookstore platform. EAC serves approximately 4,500 students and offers associate degree and certificate options at their multiple campus locations.

“Akademos has many benefits that create a strategic workflow at Eastern Arizona College. Their 24/7 customer service provides students a streamlined approach to buying and returning textbooks,” said Dr. Susan Wood, vice president of academic and student affairs at Eastern Arizona College. “This re-imagined, self-operated bookstore allows our students to purchase books from a single source with a price match guarantee and free shipping (over $49)!”

Eastern Arizona College also implemented the Bookstore Charge Program, which offers a line of credit to all students to purchase course materials and textbooks. Wood shared that she, “Immediately saw this [the Bookstore Charge Program] as an opportunity to introduce more equity among EAC students by ensuring that every student would have the opportunity to have their books in hand on the first day of class.”

Institutions offering the Bookstore Charge Program through an integration with Akademos have the flexibility to determine whether the line of credit is available to all students or a select population and the amount students can utilize.

Raj Kaji, CEO at Akademos said, “Cash on hand should never be a barrier to student success and readiness. Eastern Arizona College’s added use of the Bookstore Charge Program sets a great example of an institution embracing a  solution that helps ensure all students are prepared for class with their materials in hand on day one.”

With the transition to an online bookstore platform, EAC remodeled their physical campus space and aptly renamed it the “Campus Store.” Textbooks can be sent to the on-campus store for pick-up if desired. The new store now offers an array of convenience items including personal hygiene products, phone chargers, aspirin, snacks, and EAC and Gila Hank branded apparel.

About Eastern Arizona College:

Eastern Arizona College is a community college in Graham County, Arizona. The main campus is in Thatcher, AZ, with satellite campuses in Gila and Greenlee County. Eastern Arizona College’s mission statement is to be a “Student-centered institution that prepares individuals to thrive in a complex, ever-changing world through accessibility, cultural development, and innovative educational programs.” EAC serves a student population of approximately 4,500 students.

About Akademos

More than just an online bookstore, an Akademos technology-driven solution is a customizable bookstore experience every unique institution can benefit from. Whether the bookstore is a service for students or a revenue generator, the platform supports prioritizing readiness, textbook affordability, and retention with all models including Equitable Access, Inclusive Access, Student Choice, or a combination. All aspects of textbook and course material purchasing and delivery are taken care of so you can focus on what matters – student success. A true partnership – Akademos provides unmatched customer support along with access to tools and analytics needed to take each student’s college experience to the next level. Learn more at akademos.com.