Come see us in ITE 104 for the Opening Session, and then ITE 229, 231, 233, 237 and 239 to see some amazing presentations by CWIT Scholars & Affiliates! 

Prize Raffle in ITE 104 after the event!

Campers! We are so excited to welcome you all to Camp Pride, from April 27th to May 1st!

Read the UMBC News story here:

https://umbc.edu/stories/undergraduate-research-urcad-at-30/

UMBC gets ready to celebrate 30 years of its signature undergraduate research extravaganza

Published: Apr 20, 2026

By: Catherine Meyers

The band Fever Dream will perform at URCAD. (Photo courtesy of April Householder)

On April 22, more than 450 student presenters and their friends, mentors, and supporters will fill the Retriever Activities Center (RAC) for the 30th anniversary of the Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day.

It’s the first year the annual event, more commonly known as URCAD, will take place in the RAC, where it has moved because of its record-breaking size. The event will feature poetry readings, live music performances, video game demonstrations, scientific research presentations, artistic exhibits, films, and more. The new space provides room for more live performances and exhibits. This year’s URCAD will feature music by the Dana Idnay band, members of the UMBC Jazz Ensemble, the drum circle, the Down and Dirty Dawg Band, and Fever Dream, a band made up of UMBC undergraduate and graduate students and led by biology professors Jeffrey Lieps and Stephen Caruso.

It’s a tradition of the event to invite an outstanding alum as the keynote speaker. This year, Karena Ingram ‘16, music composition, will speak about her work as a composer and arts advocate who brings issues ranging from domestic violence to video gaming into her projects. As a student, she presented her own research at URCAD on the Baltimore-based composer CK Barlow and her influence in the field of electronic music. 

Student participants hail from all corners of campus and will showcase their diverse research and creative projects, including investigations into supermassive black holes, patterns of Antarctic tourism, the effects of 9/11 on U.S. immigration, and much more. 

“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary, we recognize that URCAD is one of the oldest and largest events of this kind in the state, and that UMBC has one of the highest rates for undergraduates who do mentored research in the country,” says April Householder ’95, director of undergraduate research and prestigious scholarships. “To commemorate, we are throwing back to the 1990s—stop by the photo booth and graffiti wall and make some memories!”

Students pose for a photo and mingle at a poster session during URCAD in 2024. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)

A lively festival of the mind

The original URCAD was held in 1997 on the 7th floor of the AOK Library, with about 50 scheduled student presenters. Former Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Diane Lee, who had the idea for the event, says she was afraid there wouldn’t be enough attendees. 

Former Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Diane Lee, who started URCAD 30 years ago, attends the 2024 event. (Marlayna Demond ’11/UMBC)

“We decided to have a midday program and invite [President Emeritus] Dr. Hrabowski to speak. His presence and wonderful snacks including chocolate covered strawberries ensured a good crowd,” she recalls. 

Over the years, the event grew ever larger, but it stayed true to its purpose of showcasing the quality of UMBC students and the depth of the questions they investigate. It also serves as a unifying event, where students from diverse disciplines can learn about each other’s work. 

Householder says that because of the size of this year’s event, she briefly considered splitting URCAD across two days—one for STEM and one for artists. But she quickly discarded that idea. “What is special about URCAD is that everyone is together in one space,” she says. “A scientist presenting a biochemistry poster can hear music, a poet who is an English major can see an airplane prototype, and an engineer can check out costumes made for the theatre. UMBC is a place where we don’t exist in boxes.”

Tags: CAHSS, CNMS, COEIT, Undergraduate Research, URCAD

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The Campus Connect: A Centralized Digital Marketplace for Student Entrepreneurship and Campus-Based Services

Presenter: Jada Iwuoha
Mentor: Kevin Fulmer, Alex Brown Center for Entrepreneurship; Tasha Vanzie, Alex Brown Center for Entrepreneurship and BwTech

RAC Arena, 2 – 3 p.m., Poster #34

With the growing number of entrepreneurs and talented students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County there is an urgent need for a centralized solution that allows students to advertise and engage in the services/products offered by students within the campus community. Currently, many student entrepreneurs and campus organizations use disconnected communication channels such as social media, word of mouth, or group chats, allowing for limited visibility and inconsistent outreach. As a result, many students on campus aren’t aware of these opportunities and believe they must leave campus to receive the services they need. The Campus Connect is a digital platform which offers a user-friendly website where on-campus student-run businesses can register, create profiles, and promote their products/services directly to the students of UMBC through campus marketplaces and service listings. The Campus Connect addresses the limited visibility and centralized support for student entrepreneurs while reducing barriers for students seeking affordable, convenient, and campus-accessible services. Initial usability testing with nine student participants indicated that users were able to quickly locate services, understand business offerings, and navigate the platform with minimal instruction. These findings suggest that centralized digital marketplaces can significantly improve awareness of campus-based services and reduce accessibility barriers.

This work was funded, in part, through an Undergraduate Research Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

URCAD is tomorrow in the RAC!

URCAD.umbc.edu

We have all been there: you attend a networking event, exchange a few business cards or LinkedIn connects, and then… nothing. The stack of cards sits on your desk, and the momentum from those conversations slowly fades away. Many students view networking as a one-time transaction — a way to get a quick referral or a resume tip. However, the most successful professionals know that true networking is about building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships.

The "hidden job market" is built on a foundation of trust. That trust isn't earned in a five-minute conversation; it is developed over time through consistent follow-up and genuine interest. To turn a handshake into a career-changing connection, you need a strategy for the long game.

The 48-Hour Follow-Up Rule

A connection is only as strong as the follow-up. Within 48 hours of meeting someone, send a personalized message via email or LinkedIn. Don’t just say "nice to meet you." Mention a specific detail from your conversation — a project they discussed, a piece of advice they gave, or even a shared interest. This small detail proves you were listening and signals that you value their time.

Focus on Value, Not Just Requests

A lasting network is a two-way street. Instead of always asking for help, look for ways to provide value. Did you see an article that relates to a challenge they mentioned? Send it over. Did you attend a campus event that aligns with their industry? Share a quick takeaway. By becoming a source of information and energy, you move from being a "student seeking help" to a "future colleague."

Curate Your "Inner Circle"

You don't need to stay in touch with 500 people every week. Identify a handful of key contacts who truly inspire you or work in your dream field. Set a reminder to check in with them once every few months with a brief update on your academic progress or a thoughtful question. These "low-pressure" touchpoints keep you top-of-mind so that when a position opens up, yours is the first name they remember.

Take the Conversation "On the Road"

The best way to solidify a relationship is to see professional life in action. Stepping out of the classroom and into a corporate environment allows you to meet potential mentors in their element. These off-campus experiences provide a shared context that makes your follow-up conversations much more natural and impactful.

Your Turn

Ready to move beyond the LinkedIn request and build real-world connections? Join the UMBC Career Center for an employer visit to Travelers Insurance, where you’ll learn about their Engineering Development Program (EDP) and take a campus tour.

Tomorrow (4/22) the Women's, Gender, & Equity Center will be closed to support students presenting at URCAD! Spectrum will still take place as planned from 2-3, though! We hope you will join us at URCAD and Spectrum!

Our staff will be available throughout the day if you have any questions or concerns. Email womenscenter@umbc.edu. 

The Women's, Gender, & Equity Center is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all students, staff, faculty, and visitors. If you have difficulties accessing any of the materials on our site or any of our events or discussions, please contact us so that we can provide an alternative format and/or remedy any accessibility challenges.

ARE YOU READY TO ROCK THE RAC????

3:00-4:00pm on the RAC Stage- URCAD headliner...

Fever Dream

UMBC rock band featuring:

Dr. Jeffrey Lieps (Professor, Biological Sciences)

Dr. Stephen Caruso (Teaching Professor, Biological Sciences)

Ryan Bacon (6th year PhD student in Biological Sciences)

Elana Frazier (1st year PhD student in Biological Sciences)

Ginevra Imberti (Biochemistry undergraduate student)

Claudia Gualtieri (Manager)

And join us at the URCAD afterparty on Thursday, April 23 at 7pm at

Fish Head Cantina

4802 Benson Ave

Halethorpe, MD

URCAD is this Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC:

URCAD.umbc.edu

Our end-of-the-year celebration award nominations form CLOSES TODAY. 

In honor of our amazing students, faculty, and staff at UMBC, each event includes awards to recognize these incredible community members for their outstanding contributions. To see a description of ALL of our awards, please click here. 

Award nominations for both celebrations can be submitted here: https://forms.gle/TLH8uDwccy5gBJtj8. You may submit multiple nominations for the same or different individuals. Please submit all nominations by the end of the day, April 20. 
Graduating students can still RSVP until April 30th to reserve their honorary cord. RSVP links for graduating members and general members for each event can be found on our myUMBC page or below.  If you are bringing guests or family members, please include them in the RSVP count. 

• Asian Cultural Celebration & Awards: This celebration commemorates the achievements of UMBC community members and graduates while celebrating the vast cultural diversity of Asian communities and heritage on our campus. We seek to honor the breadth of experience of people across Asia - East, South, Southwest, West, and Central Asia. 

• Black & Latine/x Celebration & Awards: This celebration is in recognition of the achievements of UMBC's Black and Latina/e/o/x graduating students as well as contributing community members. We seek to honor the vast and impactful experiences of people across our Black & Latine/x community at UMBC. 

During both gatherings, we'll enjoy food together, showcase keynote speakers, student musical and dance performances, and award presentations to honor student contributions, as well as the faculty and staff who've contributed to their success.

Both of these events are open to ALL regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy. 

Name: Krishna Chaitanya

Pronouns: He/Him

Semester of Internship: Spring 2026

Major: Information Systems

Current Class Level: Master's Student

This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name):  iCode Columbia

Location of the Organization (City, State): Columbia, Maryland

Title of position: STEAM Instructor

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:

During my time at iCode, I worked as a STEAM instructor supporting students in developing computational thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity through hands-on coding activities. My day-to-day responsibilities included teaching programming concepts using platforms such as Scratch and game development tools, guiding students through structured projects, and helping them understand logical thinking and basic software development principles. I facilitated interactive learning sessions, monitored student progress, and provided personalized support to ensure engagement and understanding across different skill levels. Additionally, I helped design lesson activities, encouraged collaboration and creativity, and maintained a positive learning environment that supported curiosity and experimentation. This experience strengthened my ability to communicate technical concepts clearly, adapt teaching strategies to diverse learners, and combine education with technology-driven learning approaches.

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I learned about the iCode opportunity through online job postings and community networks focused on technology education and STEAM instruction. After reviewing the role requirements, I submitted my application, highlighting my background in computer engineering, programming, and interest in teaching technology concepts to students. The selection process included an initial review of my application followed by communication with the organization to discuss my technical skills, teaching approach, and ability to work with learners of different ages and skill levels. After successfully completing the interview and demonstrating alignment with their educational goals, I was offered the position and began preparing for instructional sessions and student engagement activities.

What resources did you use to find your current experience?

Networking events (UMBC Connects, Info Sessions, Arts With a Purpose, etc.), Alumni Networking, LinkedIn or other social media

What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?

What I have enjoyed most about my position is the opportunity to combine technology with teaching and make learning interactive and engaging for students. Working with learners from different backgrounds has allowed me to see how creative approaches to coding and problem-solving can build confidence and curiosity. I particularly enjoyed guiding students through hands-on projects, watching them apply logical thinking, and seeing their excitement when they successfully completed a task or created something on their own. The organization’s supportive and collaborative environment also made the experience rewarding, as it encouraged innovation, creativity, and continuous learning for both instructors and students. Overall, the role allowed me to develop both my technical communication skills and my ability to mentor others in a meaningful way.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

Through my work, I believe I made an impact by helping students build confidence in technology and develop foundational problem-solving and computational thinking skills. By guiding them through hands-on coding activities and encouraging creativity, I supported learners in understanding complex concepts in a simple and engaging way. I focused on creating a positive and inclusive learning environment where students felt comfortable asking questions, experimenting, and learning from mistakes. Additionally, by adapting my teaching approach to different learning styles and skill levels, I helped improve student engagement and participation. Seeing students become more independent, curious, and confident in using technology demonstrated the meaningful impact of my contributions.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

My advice to another student seeking an internship or similar experience would be to stay open to opportunities that allow you to learn and grow, even if they are slightly outside your comfort zone. Focus on highlighting your practical skills, projects, and willingness to learn rather than only your formal experience. Networking and building genuine connections can also help you discover opportunities that may not always be widely advertised. During the application process, tailor your resume to the role and clearly demonstrate how your skills align with the organization’s goals. Once you start, be proactive, ask questions, seek feedback, and take initiative whenever possible, as these experiences not only build technical skills but also strengthen communication, adaptability, and professional confidence.

Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to combine technology and teaching while helping students build confidence through hands-on learning. The Career Center supported me by providing guidance, resources, and preparation that helped me feel more confident navigating professional opportunities and developing my career path."

URCAD Selfie Contest and Graffiti Wall

For URCAD 30 we are throwing back to 1997 where it all began!

Students are encouraged to “tag” the graffiti wall, take selfies, and post to social media. Lots of fun accessories! Bring your friends and family! Bring your mentor! Open to all attendees! The most creative entries win!

Location: RAC Track

Take a selfie at URCAD and upload it to URCAD social media or email it to aprilh@umbc.edu (by 4/24) to enter to win a gift card to the UMBC Bookstore!

Categories are:

Best Overall Selfie ($100)

Best Selfie with Your Mentor ($50)

Best Selfie with Your Presentation ($50)

Best Selfie with a Family Member ($50)

Best Selfie with Graffiti ($50)

URCAD is this Wednesday, April 22 in the RAC:

URCAD.umbc.edu