The University of Mary Washington recently introduced its new space highlighting the importance of undergraduate research and creativity at UMW, the UMW Research and Creativity Collaborative (or RCC for short). 
The RCC is:
- a physical space on the main floor of Simpson Library that supports student research and creativity where students and faculty can meet, participate in events and workshops, learn about opportunities, or just hang out in a comfortable setting
- a virtual space on the UMW website for current and prospective students, and for faculty mentors, with information about student research and creativity, resources for faculty mentoring students in research and creative projects, and information about funding available and how to apply. https://academics.umw.edu/rcc/
- a group of student researchers and their faculty mentors who believe in the formative and transformative impact of research and creativity and who come together to support and promote it at UMW
An Open House event on October 1, 2025, officially introduced the campus community to the RCC. It featured students and their work: paintings by art major Madison Hinton, as well as the winning posters from the 2025 Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute by earth and environmental science majors Joey Gasink and Summer Orledge. Attendees were also able to browse student-created documentary videos about projects from past Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Summer Institute and the Irene Piscopo Rodgers ’59 Summer Science Institute, as well as recent issues of the student-run journal Columns. They also explored resources for students and faculty in the RCC, including a large-format poster printer, a kiosk to browse student publications on UMW Eagle Scholar, as well as a white board, projector, and computer available for meetings and workshops.
Dr. Elizabeth Franklin Lewis, recently named Director of Undergraduate Research, oversees the RCC. She planned the space with the input of faculty and students, UMW Creative Services, and the financial support from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education, Simpson Library, the Office of the Provost, as well as an Impact Grant from the UMW Foundation.
The opening of the RCC has been a collective effort, and I am so excited about the broad support from across campus. The space is beautiful, and to me it is a visible reminder of the enthusiasm of our faculty, students, administrators, and staff for these transformative experiences of student research and creativity!
The RCC opens at a time that UMW celebrates some important milestones in student research and creativity, and makes plans for new programming on the horizon. UMW will host the 6th Annual Conference for the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa) on November 1, 2025 in the Hurley Convergence Center. UMW will celebrate the 20th year of the popular UMW Research and Creativity Day Symposium on April 24th, 2026. Recruiting is underway for the first cohort of the Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellows which will begin in Fall 2026. This is in addition to the usual busy schedule of research and creative activities and symposia across campus, and continued support of student projects with funding for supplies and travel.
The RCC is open during regular library hours for student and faculty use. To schedule a meeting or consultation, contact Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, elewis@umw.edu.
Leave a Reply