“We partner with community groups that directly service community members as a way to provide opportunities for upward mobility for folks to get access and entry into careers that offer a livable wage,” says Sandra Castro, PhD, senior associate dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies at 91�Թ���.

For the students in these programs, earning a certification is the first step toward a healthcare career and the financial stability that comes with it.

Preparing Hempstead Adults for In-Demand Healthcare Roles

Students practicing phlebotomy techniques through Adelphi’s partnership with Hempstead Schools Adult Education.

When 91�Թ��� launched a partnership with and in late 2025, the response from the community was immediate. To identify and enroll students, the program turned to Hempstead Union Free School District’s Adult and Community Education Program, and demand quickly outpaced expectations. “We started with one cohort, and then about six weeks later, another cohort—and people are still calling to enroll,” says , director of adult and community education at Hempstead Union Free School District.

Roughly 36 students received a full scholarship and are expected to complete the certification course by June. “This scholarship is really impactful,” Gottlieb says. “Depending on the school, this program could cost $4,000 or more. For someone making minimum wage, that expense can be difficult to meet.”

Many of the enrolled students came through Hempstead’s adult education program, and the district also hosted the in-person classes. Students pursuing careers in vital healthcare and social service fields were eligible to apply for the fully funded scholarships.

“There is a pressing need for adults to obtain credentials efficiently, in ways that allow for rapid entry into sustainable careers,” Gottlieb notes. Many adult learners in the Hempstead Adult and Community Education Program are navigating day-to-day financial responsibilities while working demanding jobs, which makes participation in extended programs impractical. In response to these realities, courses have been intentionally structured differently from traditional models, allowing students to complete certification within a condensed time frame of approximately three to four months.

“The biggest benefit is that students are learning how to invest in themselves and think about their future, and it gives a sense of dignity and opportunity,” Gottlieb says.

Supporting Formerly Incarcerated Women on the Path to Healthcare Careers

Women re-entering the workforce are learning skills to make them workforce-ready via Adelphi’s partnership with New Hour for Women and Children LI.

This May, the first student cohort will graduate from Empowerment Through Employment: 91�Թ��� and health careers program. Funded by a grant from , this program benefits formerly incarcerated women through New Hour For Women and Children LI’s network of community programs and support services. “Three out of four are moms, so we recognize that the need for higher education and licensure is really critical to creating a safe stable home and economic stability,” says Serena Martin ’05, founder and executive director of New Hour For Women and Children LI.

The program connects women to Adelphi’s professional certification courses to prepare New Hour For Women and Children LI members for in-demand healthcare careers such as clinical medical assistants, , , , and more. The grant also provided women with laptops and the software they need to complete their certification. “A lot of funders and higher education folks underestimate the cost for returning students who are living paycheck to paycheck,” Martin says.

The courses, which are fully online and asynchronous, were designed to accommodate students’ competing priorities. “Most women are already working, they’re already parenting,” Martin says. “Being able to do the course on their own time, at their own pace—after work or after they put the kids to bed—is really amazing.”

To ensure success after graduation, Adelphi provides support with résumé-building assistance, career counseling, interview preparation and job search assistance, individual counseling, and externship placement. Students also receive biweekly check-ins, in-person lunches with Adelphi staff and a dedicated case manager.

Members like Tiara [last name withheld] exemplify the drive and determination of women participating in the program. The clinical medical assistant program certificate she’s earned is just one credential on the path to becoming a certified medical assistant.

Funding currently covers two cohorts over two years. The next will start in June with another group of women. Interest in the program has been strong since the launch—there’s already a waitlist for the next cohort—and New Hour For Women and Children LI and Adelphi are actively seeking funding for additional cohorts in the future.

“Our women are so thirsty to work,” Martin says. “You will not find a more responsible worker than someone who understands what it’s like to have lost their freedom and is now looking to fight hard and get back on their feet.”

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The initiative, The Hudson Valley Geriatric Mental Health Initiative, will be led by the 91�Թ��� School of Social Work and is scheduled to run from January 2026 through December 2026. The effort, which seeks to build capacity among behavioral health providers by enhancing competencies in geriatric mental health, is expected to lead to improved service outcomes and the education of new social workers residing and working in the Hudson Valley.

Adelphi Addresses Long Island and Hudson Valley Mental Health Disparities

Daniel B. Kaplan, PhD, associate professor in Adelphi’s School of Social Work, emphasized the project’s timely significance. “Because of the trend of population aging, it is expected that 35 percent of the population of the Hudson Valley will be 55 and older by the year 2030,” he said. “Mental health disparities in the region are high, and include limited access to specialized care and reliance on emergency rooms during crises. This project will allow us to work directly with leaders from diverse sectors to understand and share news of what is already working well and where to find opportunities for improved practices and policies.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation awarded $16 million to 32 organizations, including 91�Թ���. The funding is part of more than $142 million for programs across 399 grants designed to support people in need in 2026.

“At a time when many families are being asked to do more with less, the foundation remains focused on showing up in tangible ways for people across New York,” Jennifer Balbach, finance committee chair of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation board, said in the organization’s news release. “These investments prioritize everyday stability—from access to nutritious food and safe housing to mental health care—and reflect our belief that long-term community well-being starts with practical, people-centered support.”

About the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York state that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit .

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Manhattan Center: Preparing Students for High-Growth Careers

A new $741,257 from New York is a key part of that effort. The funding is dedicated to equipping the new Manhattan Center with state-of-the-art facilities, creating a modern learning environment that directly supports student success in high-growth careers. For example, a new simulation lab for our accelerated nursing program will help address the current shortage of nurses in New York City and the boroughs.

The HECap program is a competitive grant initiative that provides matching funds to private colleges and universities for capital projects aimed at modernizing and enhancing educational facilities, improving student experiences and stimulating economic growth. In this year’s round of funding, 35 institutions received a total of $21.5 million in grants.

Easy Commute to Midtown Manhattan

Adelphi’s 51,000-square-foot Manhattan Center location, comprising three floors of light-filled space in midtown Manhattan, is a few blocks away from and within walking distance of 10 subway and bus lines and two commuter railroad systems at , as well as numerous dining and retail options, cultural activities, outdoor spaces and corporate offices.

“91�Թ��� has served New Yorkers for more than 120 years, and it is now entering an era of unprecedented growth and expanded reach,” said New York State Sen. Liz Krueger. “These funds will enable Adelphi to greatly enhance the student experience, benefit the regional economy and prepare more students for careers that are vital to New York’s national and global competitiveness.”

Programs for NYC Career Success

Adelphi’s new Manhattan Center plans to offer highly ranked programs, including:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (MS)
• Business Analytics (MS)
• Creative Writing (MFA)
• General Psychology—Human Resource Management Concentration (MS)
• Learning Sciences (PhD)
• Nursing (Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree)
• Social Work (MSW)
• STEAM Teaching and Learning—Math, Science, Computer Science (MA)
• Professional MBA (Hybrid MBA)

Additional programs that meet market demands will be added to the pipeline.

“I support 91�Թ���’s HECap grant funding, as the use of these public funds will have an immediate and positive impact on the regional economy,” said New York State Assembly member Alex Bores.” It will enhance the student experience and enable the University to better prepare students for careers that are critical to New York’s national and global competitiveness.”

Learn more about the 91�Թ��� Manhattan Center.

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Programs to Support Older Adults and Their Caregivers

AIA, a Valhalla, New York-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting individuals, families and caregivers, focuses on enabling older adults to live and work in and remain vital members of their communities. The organization’s support will facilitate upgrades to Adelphi’s simulation lab equipment, including the acquisition of the Nursing Anne Geriatric Simulator, as well as faculty training, curriculum development and program evaluation. Adelphi’s Clinical Education and Simulation Lab (CESiL) was recently accredited in the area of Teaching/Education through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH).

“Older adults often present with complex health conditions, multiple medications and unique psychosocial needs that require specialized knowledge and skills,” said Anthony Egan, director of CESil. “By including geriatric scenarios and simulation manikins that realistically portray older adults, students can practice assessing, communicating with and caring for elderly patients in a safe and controlled environment.”

New Manhattan Center Program Joins Breadth of Adelphi’s Nursing Degrees

Starting in Summer 2026, the College of Nursing and Public Health also plans to expand its offerings by providing the accelerated undergraduate nursing program at the new Adelphi Manhattan Center located at 529 Fifth Avenue in New York City, further extending its commitment to nursing education and addressing the region’s urgent need for qualified healthcare providers for an aging population.

“This Aging in America grant arrives at a critical juncture—with one in six people globally over 60 by 2030, and the 85-plus population in the U.S. set to double by 2040, we face an unprecedented demographic shift,” said Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12, dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. “This funding is an essential investment that allows us to proactively equip our future nurses with specialized geriatric training.”

The 91�Թ��� College of Nursing and Public Health offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, advanced certificates and doctoral programs in adult gerontology primary care. Learn more about all the nursing and public health programs at Adelphi.

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Dr. Liang’s project, “LEAPS-MPS: Developing Novel Imaging Techniques and Limits with Fisher Information-based or Quantum-Inspired Superresolution,” deals with the concept of resolution, which is the term used to describe how well an imaging system (such as a camera, telescope or microscope) can image small details on a given scene. Dr. Liang’s work will study a specific type of proposed superresolution, in which the design of the imaging system includes aspects that traditional systems would have considered to be detrimental to image quality.

“In conventional systems, there is a strict limit to the resolution,” said Dr. Liang. “It turns out that the inclusion of these ‘worse’ aspects can actually give rise to better resolution. With this NSF grant funding, my team of undergraduate students and I will analyze the feasibility of this idea, while also exploring other superresolution ideas.”

A benchmark test for this would be to assess the minimum distance between two point sources (like stars) that can be discerned by the imaging system. From there, numerical simulations can be performed for the more complicated tasks of reconstructing arbitrary object scenes (like a full constellation of stars or an intracellular structure). Dr. Liang will begin work on the project this fall with the help of an undergraduate student. Through the grant, Dr. Liang will be able to add two additional students to the research team by the summer of 2026.

Dr. Liang, who earned his PhD from The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester, focuses his research on the broad field of theoretical/mathematical optics: Such topics have ranged from providing manufacturing tolerances for free-form mirrors and lenses to studying mechanically stressed optical devices for the purposes of performing quantum random walks. For the past two years, he led Adelphi’s student teams selected to compete in Phase 2 of NASA’s Innovation and Tech Transfer Idea Competition, which took them to the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, to present projects representing new and innovative solutions using NASA intellectual property.

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Expanding Access to Higher Education for Aspiring Professionals

This initiative reflects Adelphi’s commitment to expanding access to higher education while addressing the region’s most pressing workforce needs. By removing financial barriers for aspiring professionals, the University is helping to build a pipeline of skilled, compassionate leaders ready to meet the growing demand for care and support across the state.

“Thanks to this initiative, students who may have previously found these fields financially inaccessible can now pursue high-demand, high-impact careers,” said Donna Haynes, Adelphi’s director of corporate and foundation relations. “We are especially proud to be part of a statewide solution that prioritizes health equity, access and workforce development.”

Adelphi students currently enrolled or planning to enroll in the following programs—and who will complete their studies by May 2027—are eligible for funding:

• in Adelphi’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies
• Master of Social Work (MSW) in Adelphi’s School of Social Work
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program in Adelphi’s Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in Adelphi’s College of Nursing and Public Health
• Nurse Practitioner Program in Adelphi’s College of Nursing and Public Health

Addressing New York’s Pressing Workforce Needs

Students who receive scholarships commit to working for three years in their new professional roles at healthcare providers in New York State that serve at least 30 percent of Medicaid or uninsured patients. This commitment helps ensure that care reaches communities most in need.

All scholarship payments will be administered through Adelphi, with tuition covered directly rather than reimbursed to students. To receive a scholarship, students are not required to demonstrate financial need.

“These scholarships will not only alleviate the financial burden of tuition and academic materials but also include vital wraparound support services to help ensure student success,” said Haynes.

Students currently enrolled in or considering one of these academic programs are encouraged to learn more about how this scholarship opportunity can support their education and career goals. For more information, please contact Adelphi Office of Admissions at admissions@adelphi.edu or visit .

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“The need for access to behavioral health is critical, and growing,” said Deborah Hunt, PhD ’12, dean of the 91�Թ��� College of Nursing and Public Health. “The continued support from allows us to enhance our training programs and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals to deliver integrated care.”

Empowering the Future of Behavioral Health in New York State

The IDEATE Fellowship is designed to provide financial support and specialized academic training for graduate students in 91�Թ���’s College of Nursing and Public Health and School of Social Work. If accepted into the cohort, students attend both supplemental virtual professional development seminars and clinical rotations at integrated primary care or behavioral healthcare sites, receiving highly specialized training with actual clients.

By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the program equips students with the skills necessary to address the complex behavioral health needs of children, adolescents and transition-aged youth in underserved areas throughout New York. Since its inception in 2021, Adelphi’s IDEATE Fellowship has supported roughly 120 cohort members. This upcoming academic year, 24 students could benefit from this grant.

“The IDEATE Fellowship not only provides financial assistance but also emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary education in tackling the challenges faced in behavioral healthcare,” said Joanne Corbin, PhD, dean of Adelphi’s School of Social Work.

All fellows and alumni of this program are supported through the complexities of the behavioral health landscape, helping them navigate career opportunities and professional growth within health systems across the tristate area. The program also provides students with meaningful networking opportunities to help ensure success.

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Dominic Fareri, PhD

Dominic Fareri, PhD, associate professor of psychology and director of the neuroscience program in the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, has been awarded a grant for a collaborative project entitled “.” In collaboration with researchers at the University of Texas-Dallas and the University of Southern California, this grant will support Dr. Fareri’s ongoing research into how individuals learn from and make decisions in complex social environments.

Being able to predict the behaviors of others is important to successfully navigating the social world, and prior research shows that understanding personality traits is key to this ability. Yet, less is known about how people weigh situational factors when making predictions about other people. This project will explore how individuals learn not only about others’ personality traits, but also about the situations that inform people’s actions and how these different types of information impact our judgments and the likelihood of social interaction.

Dr. Fareri is the site principal investigator for this research at Adelphi, which will provide the University’s undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work with behavioral data and computational modeling techniques, while also learning about advanced neuroimaging methods. This work has the potential to inform interventions in fields like education, mental health and organizational behavior.

“This grant represents a significant opportunity to explore the intricacies of social learning and decision-making,” said Dr. Fareri. “By examining how people rely on situations relative to trait-level information in social interactions, we hope to contribute valuable insights to both psychological theory and societal applications.”

The total intended amount of the three-year NSF grant across all three institutions, which commenced on April 15, is $650,304.

“91�Թ��� remains committed to supporting cutting-edge research that addresses real-world challenges and enhances our understanding of human behavior,” said Christopher Storm, PhD, provost and executive vice president. “This grant allows our faculty to take on important work that builds on our body of knowledge in psychology and neuroscience while also providing experiential learning opportunities for our students.”

For more information about Dr. Fareri’s research, visit .

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The grant will support Empowerment Through Employment: 91�Թ��� and Health Careers Program, helping formerly incarcerated women enroll in professional certificate courses offered by the 91�Թ��� College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS). The LI Health Careers Program offers certification in allied health disciplines, preparing participants for in-demand, middle-skill healthcare careers such as clinical medical assistants, , , and more. Adelphi also provides career counseling, résumé-building assistance, interview preparation and job search assistance.

Empowering Formerly Incarcerated Women Through Education and Career Training

“91�Թ��� is proud to partner with New Hour LI in empowering formerly incarcerated women with the education and career training they need to build brighter futures,” said Sandra Castro, PhD, interim dean of Adelphi’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies. “Through our professional certificate programs in allied health, we are providing the skills, support and opportunities that open doors to stable, well-paying careers. Thanks to the generous support of the this initiative will help break cycles of poverty and create lasting economic impact for women and their families across Long Island.”

Adelphi is one of 51 nonprofit organizations that received a total of $4.9 million in funding across New England, Long Island and Westchester County, New York, during this third and final round of giving. Grants were awarded to organizations centered on advancing financial inclusion and spurring economic growth and prosperity, with a particular focus on creating equitable change through homeownership, small business development and entrepreneurship, career growth, and financial resilience.

“The M&T Charitable Foundation is proud to support organizations like 91�Թ��� that are dedicated to advancing equity and creating positive and lasting change,” said Dominique Goss, executive director of the M&T Charitable Foundation. “We look forward to seeing the progress of their work and the collective outcomes of our partnerships in the months and years ahead.”

Learn more about Adelphi’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies and the .

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Dr. Stockman conceived the project, , while on sabbatical at Rutgers University in 2023, where he became familiar with researchers involved with NASA’s efforts to develop ideas and definitions for identifying life that may not look much like what we see on Earth today. He began thinking about a shift of focus from his usual line of research to the consideration of how chemical reactions occurring billions of years ago on Earth might have set the stage for life. In particular, he wanted to consider how one of the core requirements of life, the ability to use energy, occurred in ongoing chemical processes as a lead-up to the emergence of primitive organisms.

Moving Molecules

Dr. Stockman and his team are studying how life might have started by focusing on energy, which is released by electrons moving between more and less excited states. Metals like iron could have helped early chemical processes channel electrons, leading to the creation of tiny chains of amino acids called peptides, which may have evolved into more complex molecules necessary for life. They’ll incorporate methodologies developed by recent to explore these questions.

“We’re specifically focusing on the aspect of the emergence of life involving energy,” he said. “Where did the energy come from? Energy is basically moving electrons around. Most of biochemistry is holding onto electrons.”

Dr. Stockman and his team are using AI to sort through vast databases of proteins that exist today to look for likely candidates that they might use as the next step in the project. Modern proteins are built from 20 amino acids, but Dr. Stockman’s team is focusing on 10 simpler, believed to have been present before life arose. These proteins will be tested to see if they can generate energy without the 10 additional amino acids produced by living organisms today. In that phase, the Adelphi team will build proteins having structures that might be compatible with energy use but include only the 10 amino acids that existed on Earth before the beginnings of life, then conduct tests to see how they function.

“We’re trying to omit the use of the 10 biotic amino acids to see if AI can tell us of a sequence that only has 10 prebiotic building blocks that seems to work well,” Dr. Stockman said.

“A Diverse Group of Thinkers”

When he took his grant application to the National Science Foundation, the reviewers got so excited about the prospect that the project could help scientists better understand the foundations of life that they actually encouraged Dr. Stockman to do even more testing than he originally intended. The grant awarded has allowed him to hire Adelphi and high school students through 2027, with the bulk of the project work occurring during the summer. The involvement of the high school students is in line with NSF goals.

“There will be at least two high school students per summer recruited onto the team,” Dr. Stockman said. “We’re trying to use this to matriculate students from underrepresented communities interested in STEM into Adelphi.”

The team, including Adelphi students who are chemistry, biology, biochemistry, computer science and math majors, will not only wrestle with an exciting subject, but, in working with AI and producing proteins, they will get practical experience in lab techniques and procedures that can help them launch careers. The fact that the team represents different disciplines brings multiple perspectives to the work.

“I wanted a diverse group of thinkers,” Dr. Stockman said.

In applying new Nobel Prize-winning techniques including applications of generative AI to advance the PrOBE the project, the team will be undertaking pioneering research that could produce breakthroughs not only about the emergence of life but beyond the core purpose of the project as well, including discoveries that could have a broad range of scientific and commercial uses.

Having enough understanding to identify what NASA calls emerging life is critical to projects such as the which will place a spacecraft in temporary orbit around Jupiter’s icy moon Europa to scout out the prospects for life and prepare for a second possible mission that would on the surface and test for chemistry related to life. The Adelphi project may help inform NASA in its efforts.

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