openCI Ambassadors Program

openCI Ambassador

OpenCI Faculty Ambassador Program – Spring 2026

After being on pause for a few years we are pleased to announce that the Ambassador Program will be returning in Spring 2026. 

Are you interested in exploring, creating, or adapting Open Educational Resources (OER) to make learning more affordable and accessible for students?

The OpenCI Initiative invites CSUCI faculty to apply for the Spring 2026 OpenCI Faculty Ambassador Program. Ambassadors support open and affordable learning by developing or adapting OER or other zero-cost course materials, learning about open licensing, and sharing their work with the campus community.

Two faculty will be selected and each will receive a $1,000 stipend and an official Digital AI Ambassador Badge recognizing their leadership in open, ethical, and innovative teaching.

Who Can Apply

The program is open to all CSUCI Tenure-Track and Non-Tenure-Track Faculty (NTTF) who are interested in:

  • Creating, adapting, or adopting OER or other zero-cost resources
  • Learning about open education and responsible use of AI in teaching
  • Presenting their work to the campus community
  • Supporting the long-term growth of open and affordable course materials at CSUCI

Program Expectations

OpenCI Faculty Ambassadors will:

  • Participate in a short orientation on OER, open licensing, and ethical AI use
  • Develop, adapt, or incorporate an open or zero-cost resource into one of their courses
  • Share their work through a brief campus presentation (e.g., an OpenCI event or faculty meeting)
  • Provide a brief written reflection on their project and its impact on students

Compensation

Each Ambassador will receive:

  • A $1,000 stipend upon completion of program requirements
  • A Digital AI Ambassador Badge for use in professional profiles, email signatures, websites, and portfolios

How to Apply

Applications are open now and due by Monday, January 26, 2026.
Interested faculty should complete the application form linked below:

Application Form

Former Ambassadors

Chemistry

  • Safa Khan

Communication

  • Jacob Jenkins

Education

  • Kara Naidoo

Mathematics

  • Alona Kryshchenko

Nursing

  • Jamie Hannans
  • Neomie Congello

Spanish

  • Margaita Lopez Lopez

TLI

  • Megan Eberhardt-Alstot
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