HomeNews TypesArts and Humanities DivisionCUR Names 2026-2027 Elected Councilors, Division Reps, and NLDC

CUR Names 2026-2027 Elected Councilors, Division Reps, and NLDC

In addition to the Board of Directors, the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) has an elected leadership structure that includes Councilors and Division Representatives who serve to further the mission of the organization and engage the community in the work of the organization. Additionally, the national Nominations and Leadership Development Committee (NLDC) serves a critical role in recruiting and supporting CUR’s future leadership. These individuals are highly engaged volunteers who have a passion for undergraduate research.

Councilors and Division Representatives serve the members of the organization’s 13 divisions: Arts and Humanities, At-Large, Biology, Chemistry, Education, Engineering, Geosciences, Health Sciences, Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Undergraduate Research Programs.

The NLDC is a year-round committee that is responsible for working with CUR leadership and staff to assess the qualities, skills, and diversity needed in board leadership in each election cycle. The following have been reelected to the Council seats and their term will start on June 1, 2026.

  • Kevin Bonine, University of Arizona
  • Patricia Soto, University of California, Merced
  • Bethany Usher, Radford University

The following CUR members were newly elected as CUR Councilors. These individuals will serve in a communication capacity, bridging the insight of the Divisions to the work of CUR as a whole by encouraging meaningful sharing of trends, challenges, and opportunities from the divisional level. There are a total of 26 CUR Councilors. Starting June 1, 2026, the following will join those continuing in their roles on the Council.

  • Undergraduate Research Programs Division
    • Andrea Sell, California Lutheran University
    • Melonie Sexton, University of Central Florida

The following CUR members will serve as newly elected or re-elected Division Representatives. These individuals will serve as a crucial link between the organization and its members, helping to advance undergraduate research through programmatic resource development, networking, and mentor development opportunities, advocacy, and other activities and events throughout their term. Starting on June 1, 2026 the following will join those continuing as Division Representatives.

  • Arts + Humanities Division
    • Alexis Hart, Allegheny College
    • Amy Martinelli, University of Florida
    • Amy Woodbury Tease, Norwich University
    • Andrew Allen, Georgia College and State University
    • Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Lone Star College
    • Elizabeth Lewis, University of Mary Washington
    • Jesús Castro–Balbi, Kennesaw State University
    • John Perlich, Bemidji State University
    • Kodjo Adabra, State University of New York – Geneseo
    • Melodie Eichbauer, Florida Gulf Coast University
    • Michael Johnson, Purdue University
  • At-Large Division
    • Catherine Chan, University of Wisconsin – Madison
    • Graeme Harper, Oakland University
    • Jessica Martin, Northeastern State University
    • Mona Easterling, Tulsa Community College
    • Sofie Strompf, George Mason University
  • Biology Division
    • Amanda Storm, Western Carolina University
    • Beth Beason-Abmayr, Rice University
    • Bradley Krisanits, Morehead State University
    • Ghanshyam Heda, Mississippi University for Women
    • Jessica LaPrice, Washington and Lee University
    • Mardelle Atkins, Sam Houston State University
    • Ray Enke, James Madison University
    • Susan Safford, Lincoln University
  • Chemistry Division
    • Bridget Gourley, DePauw University
    • David Quist, Trine University
    • John Kirk, Carthage College
    • Lee Silverberg, Penn State Schuylkill
    • Michael Marino, Molloy University
    • Olajumoke Mary Ayeni, University of North Texas
    • Patrick Lackey, Westminster College
    • Pius Adelani, St. Mary’s University
    • Sarah Shaner, Southeast Missouri State University
    • Tegan Makal, University of Virginia – College at Wise
  • Education Division
    • Brieah Hudson, Jackson State University
    • Emily Smith, Midwestern State University
    • Pushpa Ramakrishna
  • Engineering Division
    • Aaron Sakulich, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    • Gustavo Vejarano, Loyola Marymount University
    • Jeff Dusek, Baldwin Wallace University
    • Kristen Krupa, University of Dayton
    • Lisa Bosman, Purdue University – West Lafayette
    • Pareshkumar Hotchandani, Smith + Nephew
    • Patrick Tebbe, Minnesota State University, Mankato
    • Pratanu Ghosh, California State University, Fullerton
    • Wade Goodridge, Utah State University
    • Winny Dong, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
  • Geosciences Division
    • Allison Beauregard-Schwartz, University of West Florida
    • Jamie MacDonald, Florida Gulf Coast University
    • Kenneth Brown, DePauw University
  • Health Sciences Division
    • Joshua Gold, California State University, Channel Islands
    • Niharika Nath, New York Institute of Technology – Old Westbury
    • Sherry Peveto, Louisiana Tech University
  • Mathematical, Computing, and Statistical Sciences Division
    • Hyokyeong Lee, Molloy University
    • Jennifer Travis, Lone Star College
    • Maryam Taeb, University of West Florida
    • Mathew Heath Van Horn, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    • Sherri  Weitl-Harms, Creighton University
    • Steven Fernandes, Creighton University
    • Timothy Smith, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Physics and Astronomy Division
    • Laura Fantone, University of California, Berkeley
  • Psychology Division
    • Jennifer Quinn, Miami University     
    • Luralyn Helming, Dordt University
    • Marcus Leppanen, University of Mary Washington
    • Nestor Matthews, Denison University
    • Ram Kandasamy, California State University, East Bay
  • Social Sciences Division
    • Mackenzie Cato, Kennesaw State University
    • Maria Pia Olivero, Swarthmore College
    • Mary Kay Rickard, Georgia College and State University
  • Undergraduate Research Programs Division
    • Adam Neal, Southern Methodist University
    • Alexis Mathews, Morehead State University
    • Jaya Mohan, Drexel University
    • Kyla Esguerra, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
    • Lakshmi Krishna, Colorado School of Mines
    • Rachael Eaton, Oklahoma State University
    • Rosalie Rolon Dow, University of Delaware
    • Shay Rahm, University of Central Oklahoma

CUR congratulates these volunteer leaders on their election.

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.

By Todd Waggoner

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