Dear Participants and Guests,
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Welcome to UMBC’s 25th Annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD). This year, due to COVID-19, we will again be hosting a virtual, but always exciting, URCAD event that will run from April 19-April 25th.
We are delighted to be able to offer a virtual event again this year so our students who have worked so diligently all year will have the opportunity to participate in our distinctive annual URCAD event. During this week, you will see student research presentations, creative endeavors, student performances, films and more in a unique and interactive environment. As participants in URCAD you will be able to leave video, voice, or text feedback for the presenters thus affirming your personal “presence” with our students. Our presenters will be responding to your questions and interacting with you throughout the week.
URCAD has been and will continue to be a celebration of the tremendous work of our students. UMBC encourages students of all disciplines to engage in mentored projects and through creative thought and focused inquiry, to discover in themselves their passion. This path of discovery is an integral part of our students’ opportunity to enhance their learning and develop meaningful relationships with faculty, professional experts, and their peers.
In this most challenging year, our students’ dedication and ability to carry out their research and creative endeavors and to participate in URCAD is nothing short of remarkable. Their grit, enthusiastic imaginations, hard work and unwavering commitment, despite monumental challenges brought about by the pandemic, are a reflection of their resilience, determination and immense talent. Their success is also due to the tremendous effort, guidance and support provided by their mentors and across campus by our faculty and staff who have also supported and encouraged our students every day in this challenging time. Please accept my heartfelt thank you to all of you who work with these outstanding students and help them reach their goals.
I welcome you to our second virtual URCAD event and encourage you to view the outstanding work of our presenters and take the opportunity interact with these remarkable students.
Welcome to our 2021 URCAD event,
Katharine H. Cole, Ph.D.
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs