Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host its 24th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) on Wednesday, April 23, 2026
April 7, 2026
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) will host its 24th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) on Wednesday, April 23, 2026, on the North Adams campus. The conference celebrates
the research, creative work, and scholarship of MCLA undergraduate students across
disciplines.
Part of MCLA's Undergraduate Research Program, the URC reflects the college's commitment
to fostering a dynamic culture of inquiry, exploration, and mentorship. Attendees
are invited to explore the many ways MCLA students are making an impact in their fields
and communities through paper presentations, creative writing, performances, poster
sessions, and visual artwork displays.
The keynote address will be delivered by MCLA alumna Kaitlin Wright '17, currently
serving as City Clerk for the City of Haverhill, Massachusetts.
Kaitlin Wright is a graduate of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, holding both
a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in
History. She also holds a Master of Arts in Applied Politics from Suffolk University.
Kaitlin has spent several years working in state and local government, including time
at the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and currently serves as City Clerk
of Haverhill, MA.
Kaitlin is passionate about elections and encouraging civic participation. In her
work, she focuses on registering new voters, educating the public on the voting process,
and making voting more accessible. She has been interviewed by CBS News, WBZ News,
and the Boston Globe on the issues election officials are facing today, and is one
of the youngest city and town clerks currently serving in Massachusetts. She has obtained
the prestigious designation of Certified Municipal Clerk.
In addition to her role as City Clerk, Wright serves on the Legislative Committee
for the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association and the Executive Board of the Massachusetts
City Clerks Association. She volunteers on several local boards and commissions, including
the Haverhill Historic Commission, the Friends of the Haverhill Public Library, the
Haverhill Rotary Club, as Secretary for the Second Chance for Sight Foundation, and
as Vice Regent for the Brigadier General James Brickett Old Newbury Chapter of the
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Through her gravestone
cleaning and preservation work with the NSDAR, Wright has been nominated for a state
level historic preservation award. In her spare time, she is an avid runner and member
of the Winner's Circle Running Club.
Presentation formats will include paper and creative writing presentations of 15 to
20 minutes including Q&A, poster sessions, visual artwork on display throughout the
conference, and special sessions of variable length.
For more information, please visit https://lnk.mcla.edu/urc.
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
11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts
Schools in the nation for 2026. The College's focus on affordable education and economic
prosperity is reflected in additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer
on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4 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