April 8, 2026 – (Washington, DC) Dr. Angela Uriyo, Assistant Professor of Fashion and Design Merchandising at the College of Creative Arts and Media for West Virginia University (WVU), has been selected as the 2026 Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) – Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Awardee.
Dr. Angela Uriyo is a highly deserving recipient of the CURAH Faculty Mentor Award for her exceptional commitment to integrating creative scholarship with undergraduate research and mentorship. With more than 18 years of teaching and mentoring experience, Uriyo fosters an environment where students engage in original, inquiry-driven design work that blends creativity, critical thinking, and real-world application. She works closely with students to develop their ideas from concept to execution, guiding them through research-based design processes, encouraging innovation, and building confidence in their scholarly and creative abilities. Her mentorship extends beyond technical instruction, supporting students’ professional growth and helping them gain recognition at regional, national, and international levels. Through her dedication to inclusive, hands-on learning and her ability to connect research with artistic practice, Uriyo has made a lasting impact on her students and the broader undergraduate research community.
According to West Virginia University’s Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Kreider, “Dr. Uriyo provides a learning experience that not only engages students in a meaningful way while they’re here at WVU but also equips them with critical knowledge and skills that help them succeed after graduation. This recognition of her teaching is so well-deserved and reflects our faculty’s commitment to both our R1 Research designation and our duty as West Virginia’s land-grant institution.”
Explains Uriyo, “This award highlights the importance of undergraduate research in the arts and humanities and its power to shape thoughtful, engaged designers. Receiving this award strengthens my commitment to building spaces where students can transform their ideas into meaningful contributions to the field.”
“Dr. Angela Uriyo represents the very best of undergraduate research mentorship in the arts and humanities,” said Lindsay Currie, Executive Director of the Council on Undergraduate Research. “Through her innovative approach to fashion as both a creative and scholarly discipline, she empowers students to explore original ideas, think critically, and bring research to life through design. Her unwavering commitment to student growth, inclusive mentorship, and real-world application has had a transformative impact on her students and has elevated the role of undergraduate research within the creative arts. We are proud to recognize her with the CUR Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Award.”
The CUR-Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Award was established in 2018 through an endowed gift by 2012 CUR Fellow Joyce Kinkead (Utah State University) to nurture undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative inquiry in arts and humanities disciplines.
Please join CUR and the undergraduate research community in continuing to celebrate Dr. Uriyo and others on their achievements on June 10, 2026, from 2:00-3:30PM ET. You can RSVP, here.
Founded in 1978, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) focuses on providing high-quality and collaborative undergraduate research, scholarly, and creative activity. Among the many activities and networking opportunities that CUR provides, the organization also offers support for the professional growth of faculty and administrators through expert-designed institutes, conferences, and a wide-range of volunteer positions. The CUR community, made up of nearly 700 institutions and 13,000 individuals, continues to provide a platform for discussion and other resources related to mentoring, connecting, and creating relationships centered around undergraduate research. CUR’s advocacy efforts are also a large portion of its work as they strive to strengthen support for undergraduate research. Its continued growth in connections with representatives, private foundations, government agencies, and campuses world-wide provides value to its members and gives voice to undergraduate research. CUR is committed to inclusivity and diversity in all of its activities and our community.
CUR focuses on giving a voice to undergraduate research with learning through doing. It provides connections to a multitude of campuses and government agencies, all while promoting networking and professional growth to its community.
West Virginia University in Morgantown is the flagship institution of West Virginia. We offer groundbreaking research, internationally renowned faculty, and endless academic possibilities. Located 70 miles south of Pittsburgh, WVU was founded in 1867 as a land-grant. An R1 research institution (the highest research ranking possible), WVU is one of only 187 in the U.S. Areas of research excellence include neuroscience, astrophysics, robotics, energy, and forensic science. In 2024, WVU attained a new record of research funding: $275 million, and WVU was ranked in the top 2.5% of 20,966 universities worldwide by the Center for World University Rankings. Undergraduates can participate in real research projects as early as freshman year. WVU has had 25 Rhodes Scholars, 142 Gilman Scholars, 87 Fulbrights, and 26 Truman Scholars, and over the last 10 years, our student Robotics Team has finished first at 9 international competitions.
The WVU College of Creative Arts and Media has an enrollment of over 2,000 students and is made up of four professionally accredited and nationally recognized Schools of Art & Design, Media & Communications, Music, and Theatre & Dance. Distinguished and credentialed faculty offer instruction in multiple, state-of-the-art facilities across campus and are committed to supporting students beyond the classroom to secure internships, study aboard experiences, mentorship programs, workshops, and research trips necessary to make them competitive.
