April 16, 2025
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will hold the 23rd annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) on April 24 to recognize students for their work and dedication in producing academic projects.
This year’s keynote speaker is MCLA alumnus Bentley S. Munsell ‘15, – a registered
nurse, nursing leader, and advocate for social justice and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion,
and Belonging (DEIB) in healthcare. Munsell is a queer, transgender man and has been
actively advocating for LGBTQIA+ inclusion in healthcare settings since 2016. He is
a founding member of the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) DEIB committee,
where he has led outreach efforts and implemented training programs on inclusive healthcare.
Currently, Munsell serves as the clinical nurse manager for SVMC’s ExpressCare and
is pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing at Colby-Sawyer College.
The URC highlights MCLA's commitment to fostering a culture of inquiry, exploration,
and mentorship. This campus-wide celebration showcases undergraduate research and
creative activity across all disciplines, reinforcing the importance of active participation
in liberal arts education. Students work closely with faculty sponsors to develop
outstanding academic projects, which they present through oral presentations, poster
sessions, or performances.
The full-day event will start at 8 a.m. with iced coffee on the quad and conclude
at 7 p.m. with a student performance. There will also be a poster session at 11 a.m.
and the keynote speaker and lunch at noon. Additional event schedules and locations
will be announced soon.
Students will present 15-minute talks, posters, and artistic works, with special sessions
and performances scheduled throughout the day. Members of the media are welcome to
cover this MCLA community event, attend presentations, and interview students and
faculty members.
For more information please visit URC Information.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we’re here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed
to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered
to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to
public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top Ten Public Colleges for
10 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts
Schools in the nation for 2025, after earning the No. 7 spot the prior three years.
The College’s focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in
additional 2025 U.S. News rankings: No. 5 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for
liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 2 for Top Performer on Social Mobility
for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools
graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu.
