CCRI Foundation Announces 2026 Faculty Innovation Fund Recipients

WARWICK, R.I. -- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) Foundation has officially announced the 2026 recipients of the Faculty Innovation Fund (FIF).

Established in 2023, the FIF provides grants of up to $2,500 per project. These funds empower faculty to acquire cutting-edge resources, modernize curricula, and directly enhance student learning outcomes.

This year's recipients represent a diverse cross-section of academic disciplines, each proposing solutions to modernize the student experience.

• Mark England (Associate Professor, Criminal Justice): To purchase specialized microscopes for student examination of ballistics evidence, bringing high-level forensic analysis directly into the Criminal Justice lab.
• Regina Monteiro and Jassie Nah (Assistant Professors, Nursing): To pursue professional development training in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education and Healthcare, ensuring CCRI nursing students are prepared for the high-tech future of clinical care.
• Rongfang Yang (Associate Professor, Chemistry): To acquire research kits that enhance the introductory chemistry curriculum, focusing on practical applications like battery science, culinary chemistry, and drinking water quality analysis.
• Lisa Proffitt (Assistant Professor, Dental Health): To acquire new technology designed to integrate advanced digital learning tools and modern periodontal-powered therapies into the Dental Hygiene Program.
• Sherry Zinn (Adjunct Faculty, Computer Science/Cybersecurity): To provide lendable laptops with Linux OS for students enrolled in scripting and programming courses, removing hardware barriers for those in the IT pipeline.