OU Awards Funding to Three Local Community Projects

Grants will support initiatives in independent living, opioid detection, and mental health access for youth.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Oakland University has awarded funding to three community projects through its Community Changemaker Challenge Grant program. The winning initiatives focus on improving independent living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, developing a portable device to rapidly identify synthetic opioids, and expanding mental health services for youth experiencing housing instability.

Why it matters

These grants demonstrate Oakland University's commitment to leveraging its academic and research resources to address pressing community needs in areas like public health, disability support, and youth services. The funded projects have the potential to create meaningful impact and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations in the local region.

The details

The three winning projects are: 1) 'Elevating Local Community-Based Independent Living with Internet of Robotic Things for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities,' led by W. Geoffrey Louie, which combines engineering and social work to enhance independent living for those with disabilities; 2) 'Protecting Communities from Synthetic Opioids: Development of the eNarc Portable Detection Platform,' led by Zhe Wang, which aims to reduce overdose harm by creating a device to rapidly identify substances like fentanyl; and 3) 'Strengthening Mental Health Access for Youth Experiencing Housing Instability: A Lighthouse, Pontiac, and Oakland University Community Partnership Model,' led by Bill Solomonson, which expands OU's partnership with Lighthouse MI to increase mental health services for homeless youth.

  • The Community Changemaker Challenge Grant program evaluated 27 proposals in February 2026.
  • The three winning projects were announced on February 21, 2026.

The players

David Dulio

Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University.

W. Geoffrey Louie

Associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Oakland University.

Zhe Wang

Associate professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University.

Bill Solomonson

Associate professor and chair of the Department of Organizational Leadership in the School of Education and Human Services at Oakland University.

Lighthouse MI

A nonprofit organization in Pontiac, Michigan that provides services for youth experiencing housing instability.

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What they’re saying

“The committee was very impressed with all of the applications. They collectively represent what community engagement at Oakland looks like and what it can be in terms of creating impact in the surrounding communities and great benefits for our faculty and students.”

— David Dulio, Professor (The Oakland Press)

The takeaway

These grants showcase Oakland University's dedication to leveraging its academic resources and expertise to address critical community needs in areas like public health, disability support, and youth services. The funded projects have the potential to drive meaningful, lasting change and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations in the local region.