Michelson 20MM
in the News

Pell Grant Restoration and the Future of Higher Education in CA Prisons
California’s Master Plan for Higher Education has been an engine of social mobility and economic strength for the state and a masterful exemplar for our nation. With the recent restoration of Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students, California has an opportunity to draw from the success of the Master Plan by extending educational opportunities for upward mobility, employment, and civic engagement to a new demographic–currently incarcerated students.

Highlights from Advancing Equity and Online Learning with OER
During Advancing Equity and Online Learning at Community Colleges with Open Educational Resources (OER), leaders in the OER and distance learning space provided insights on the benefits of OER and how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of no-cost, openly licensed digital learning materials

Creating a Culture of Care for Parenting Students at California State University, Long Beach
The California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), Pregnant and Parenting Students Initiative is committed to the academic and personal success of pregnant and parenting students. Through a Michelson Spark Grant, 20MM is partnering with the CSULB to further the impact their Initiative has had.

Voices of Freedom: Stories of Hope from Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Rising Scholars
On February 5, 2021, at 10:00 AM you are invited to join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office as they launch Rising Scholars, an equity-driven initiative that serves incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. During the program, attendees will have an exclusive opportunity to preview The Possibility Report by the Campaign for College Opportunity, which was funded by a Michelson Spark Grant.

Michelson 20MM Joins California Department of Education to Identify Solutions to Close the Digital Divide
The California Department of Education estimates that nearly a half-million students still lack either a device to attend school online, network access to their classroom, or both. On February 2, 2021, Michelson 20MM founder and co-chair, Dr. Gary K. Michelson, joined California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond to announce a new effort to address the crisis: the California Digital Divide Innovation Challenge.

Student Basic Needs Centers: Fundamental to Equity and Equal Opportunity
At campuses across California, student basic needs centers emerged as safe havens and beacons of hope for students. Basic needs centers enable students with the most pressing needs to obtain food and other life necessities, access housing programs, develop financial literacy skills, ensure that financial aid is maximized, and leverage other resources including CalFresh.