Thank you OW for engaging and participating in the Performance Planning process. It was designed to improve our college by animating our mission, strategic plan and the institutional priorities of the College through your proposals. These proposals, ranging from new academic programs to entrepreneurial endeavors, seek to make us an even better OW.
Of the 39 submissions, we asked for your opinions and ideas on 12 semifinalists selected by the College's Budget Committee. The Campus Feedback Dashboard captured the input from every segment of our community, and with your feedback, we selected ten proposals for funding.
Congratulations!
The Ten Performance Planning proposals for 2026-2027 have been awarded OTPS funding for the July ’26 -June ’27 funding cycle. Program activities must be fully engaged by June 30, 2027.
Please see the list of the awardees and their proposal summaries below for more details.
List of Awards
| Project No. | Awardee |
|---|---|
| PPB26-02 | Vivi Bien! A Culturally Tailored, AI-Enhanced Diabetes Management Initiative for Hispanic Adults on Long Island |
| PPB26-03 | Merging the Campus Print Shop and Campus Mail Room: A Unified Print & Distribution Services Model |
| PPB26-04 | PREP: Physics Research via External Partnerships |
| PPB26-07 | Public Signage Committee |
| PPB26-09 | Academic Library Student Engagement |
| PPB26-10 | Pre-Service and In-Service Teacher Professional Development Program |
| PPB26-14 | Faculty Support Corridor Anchoring Engagement, Infrastructure, and AI Innovation |
| PPB26-15 | Career & Workforce Hub |
| PPB26-18 | Virtual Engagement Officer |
| PPB26-22 | Student Band Start-Up Program |
Summaries of Awarded Projects
PPB26-02: Vivi Bien! A Culturally Tailored, AI-Enhanced Diabetes Management Initiative for Hispanic Adults on Long Island
Award Amount: $25,000
PI / Lead: Dr. Shijian Li, Associate Professor, Dept. of Public Health; Pascale Fils-Aimé, Applied Practice Experience Coordinator, Dept. of Public Health
The proposal aims to reduce diabetes among Hispanic adults on Long Island through a 12-week intervention using CGM devices, coaching, and culturally appropriate education. It plans to enroll 60-100 participants through hands-on community research. The project also focuses on improving glucose control, increasing patient confidence, and strengthening university-community partnerships.
PPB26-03: Merging the Campus Print Shop and Campus Mail Room: A Unified Print & Distribution Services Model
Award Amount: $4,675
PI / Lead: Justin Spero
The proposal highlights that the current system is inefficient, and printing and mailing are handled separately by different departments. It recommends by using bulk mailing software and creating a single workflow, the university expects to save money, reduce staff workload, and improve turnaround time. It also aims to create a more organized, cost effective, and modern print and distribution service for the campus.
PPB26-04: PREP: Physics Research via External Partnerships
Award Amount: $25,000
PI / Lead: Dr. Andy O'Bannon, Dr. John Estes, and Dr. Matthew Lippert
The proposal aims to improve student success and program growth by providing hands-on research experience in physics, medical physics, and AI-related fields. It builds previous successful research programs as well as responds to growing demand for STEM careers. The plan includes summer research placements, new equipment, AI tools, and formal partnerships with leading institutions.
PPB26-07: Public Signage Committee
Award Amount: No new funding Required
PI / Lead: Justin Spero
The proposal plans to create a centralized system for reviewing and approving campus signage to ensure consistency and quality. It will form a cross-department committee to handle signage requests, and better coordination with vendors and facilities. The project does not require new funding and will use existing staff and resources.
PPB26-09: Academic Library Student Engagement
Award Amount: $25,000
PI / Lead: Antonia Di Gregorio, Dean of the Library Academic Affairs / David Lanoue, Provost of Academic Affairs
The proposal asks for $50,000 to help redesign part of the library and create a space that supports student engagement, career readiness, and applied learning. The Hub will include new furniture, laptops, interactive screens, a 3D printer, and updated educational materials. The goal is to improve student success, workforce preparation, and library engagement.
PPB26-10: Pre-Service and In-Service Teacher Professional Development Program
Award Amount: $20,000
PI / Lead: Nicole Sieben
The proposal plans to strengthen teaching skills by offering training sessions, workshops, and support for teaching improvement.
PPB26-14: Faculty Support Corridor Anchoring Engagement, Infrastructure, and AI Innovation
Award Amount: $40,000
PI / Lead: David Lanoue, Provost and SVPAA; Michael Kavic, Associate
The proposal initiates a “Faculty Support Corridor” in the Campus Center that connects CETL with the new TRICE center. It highlights the need for a private CETL space, more mentoring opportunities, and a centralized resource hub for AI teaching tools. It includes the project goals, activities/timeline, evaluation plan, and budget requests.
PPB26-15: Career & Workforce Hub
Award Amount: $19,750
PI / Lead: Rorri Heller, Jerilyn Marinan
The proposal argues that students need earlier, more visible, and repeated career preparation to succeed after graduation. The Career & Workforce Hub will help students practice skills like resumes and interviews. The Hub requested $19,750 to improve student post-graduation outcomes, engagement, and college’s reputation.
PPB26-18: Virtual Engagement Officer
Award Amount: $50,000 (Pending confirmation)
PI / Lead: Angela Wambugu-Cobb
An AI-based Virtual Engagement Officer to improve donor outreach and increase fundraising. The system will manage 500-1,000 donors, send personalized messages, and help recruiters lapsed donors faster.
PPB26-22: Student Band Start-Up Program
Award Amount: $33,710
PI / Lead: Fred Fleisher
The proposal aims to start a band program to increase student engagement and expand performing arts opportunities. It plans to buy instruments, sound systems, set up rehearsal spaces, offer ensemble courses, and student club activities on campus. Overall, the project seeks to rebuild a strong music presence in college and enhance campus community life.