News and Announcements
Announcing the 2026 Open Educational Resources Spark Community Advisors
Published Date
At the Michelson 20MM Foundation, we believe that advancing open educational resources (OER) requires collaboration with the people closest to the work. That is why we are proud to introduce the 2026 OER Spark Community Advisors, a group of leaders who bring a variety of critical perspectives to help shape this year’s funding cycle.
2026 OER Focus Areas
As the OER landscape continues to evolve, so too must the strategies that support it. This year, we are interested in supporting projects that:
California-Specific
- Support the implementation of California’s historic investment in the Zero Textbook Cost degree program in the California Community College (CCC) system.
- Projects that build on ZTC degrees beyond the CCC system.
- Projects that mobilize student, faculty, and/or staff participation in passing OER and textbook affordability policies at the UC, CCC, and/or CSU systems. In addition, projects that activate or incorporate member-based organizations representing campus communities, including professional, civic, and labor organizations.
National, Inclusive of California Projects
- Research and public education around student consumer protection in the textbook marketplace, including automatic textbook billing/equitable access programs, price transparency, and student data privacy with a focus on student experience.
- Research investigating the impacts of textbook affordability and access policies at the state and federal level, including OER funding, course marking, student consumer protection, price transparency, sustainability, and supporting educators adopting or creating OER.
Meet the Advisors
Heather Blicher is the Director of the Community College Consortium for OER (CCCOER) with Open Education Global, where she leads efforts to expand and support open education across community and technical colleges in North America. With more than 20 years of experience in public and academic libraries, her work has focused on teen programming, online learning, OER, instructional design, and equity-centered initiatives. Heather believes in the power of storytelling to build stronger, more connected communities.
Ryan Coryea brings a critical student voice to the advisory group. As a senior studying Political Science at UC San Diego and Vice Chair of the Campaign for Quality in Resources and Education in the UC Student Association, Ryan advocates for increased adoption of OER within the UC system.
Sarah Hare is the OER Librarian at UC Santa Cruz, where she partners with faculty to make course materials and homework platforms more effective and affordable. Sarah is currently researching how course materials impact UCSC students’ sense of belonging in the classroom. She leads the UC Common Knowledge Group on OER and has previously developed fellowship programs and conducted research on OER and open education.
Alex Karan is a Research Analyst at Chabot College and a 2024 OER Spark Grant recipient. In his work, he prioritizes equity for marginalized communities, often working to understand the structural components that relate to and close equity gaps. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UCLA and his PhD in Psychology from UC Riverside.
Strengthening the OER Ecosystem
Together, this year’s Spark Community Advisors reflect the collaborative, cross-sector approach needed to advance OER work. From shaping funding priorities to providing insight on emerging challenges and opportunities, their perspectives will help ensure that the OER Spark Grants continue to support impactful, scalable solutions.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to investing in initiatives that expand access to affordable, high-quality course materials and strengthen pathways to student success. The guidance of our advisors is essential to this work and to building a more equitable higher education system.
About Michelson 20MM
Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.
To sign up for our newsletter, click here.