VIVA: VIVA Blog
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VIVA: VIVA Blog
RICHMOND — The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) today announced the winners of the first annual Virginia Open Educational Resource Impact Award.
The inaugural awardees are:
“Foundations of American Education, A Critical Lens,” by Melissa Wells and Courtney Clayton.
“Introduction to Earth Science,” adapted by Laura Neser.
“Anatomy and Physiology OER Lab Manual,” by Gillian Backus, Heidi W. Wangerin and Paula Rodgers.
Award recipients receive $2,000 and will be recognized at VIVA's annual Open and Affordable Community Forum on November 14, 2025.
The award recognizes outstanding open education resources that have demonstrated significant impact in Virginia classrooms. The resources were selected for their innovative pedagogical approaches, contributions to gaps in existing open education literature and demonstrated statewide impact.
“These authors have helped Virginia students by creating free educational materials and they deserve our thanks and recognition,” said Scott Fleming, SCHEV executive director. “Making college more affordable for all students is one of our key priorities.”
Open education resources are freely accessible, openly licensed teaching, learning and research materials. They include textbooks and other educational items that can be used, adapted and shared by anyone. Open education resources can save students money by reducing or eliminating the cost of learning materials. According to the College Board, the average cost of textbooks and supplies exceeds $1,100 per year.
VIVA Director, Genya O’Gara noted, “The resources recognized by this inaugural award exemplify the innovative open educational work happening across Virginia and demonstrate how these types of resources eliminate cost barriers and advance student learning.”
Award recipients were selected by SCHEV’s Open Virginia Advisory Committee with award funding provided by VIVA. The Open Virginia Advisory Committee includes representatives from
public four-year institutions and community colleges, as well as college and university librarians.
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The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia is the state’s coordinating agency for higher education. Media resources, including news advisories, logos and releases, are available at www.schev.edu/media.
The Virtual Library of Virginia (VIVA) is the academic library consortium serving 70 nonprofit higher education institutions in Virginia, including 39 state assisted colleges and universities, 30 independent private, nonprofit institutions, and The Library of Virginia. For over 30 years VIVA has created significant cost savings throughout the state through cooperative purchasing, resource sharing, and open and affordable course content initiatives.
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