Fall 2026

Together, we're creating a world informed & inspired by research

Director's Message

Mentoring independent problem solvers

In advance of last week's Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium, we invited summer research grant recipients to nominate faculty for a new Outstanding Research Mentorship Award.

Nominations were overwhelming and inspiring.

Though we could confer only six awards, all of the submissions echoed what was written by a student of Yuchen Wang, assistant teaching professor of computer science:

"Rather than simply handing over solutions, Professor Wang helped me break down complex computational challenges . . . This approach challenged me to solve issues independently first while providing the safety net of experienced faculty oversight."

At a time when the value of arts & sciences, research, even higher education itself seems to be in question, I cannot imagine a more powerful description of what we do and why.

Thank you for considering a gift that will make a direct and lasting impact on our students' research journeys and the world.

Support the Charles Center for Undergraduate Research!

Charles Center Community News

Democracy Scholars

program launches

As William & Mary marks its Year of Civic Leadership, the College of Arts & Sciences has launched a new residential learning community to help students explore the ideals and practice of democracy while building a strong foundation for leadership and engagement.

Learn more

Fall research symposium

draws hundreds to Swem Library

More than 250 undergraduates across disciplines and programs participated in the annual Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium Sept. 25 in Swem Library. The event drew hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and community members to the library's Read & Relax Room for poster and digital presentations, as well as visual arts exhibitions.

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New award recognizes outstanding faculty mentors

Six faculty received Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentorship Awards at the Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium Sept. 25. The student-nominated awards recognized faculty who went above and beyond to support their summer research students.

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Journalist Todd Miller leads discussion on the border

More than 100 campus community members filled Grimsley Boardroom Sept. 29 for "Border Patrol Nation, Border Patrol World," a lively discussion led by journalist Todd Miller. Miller is editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Border Chronicle, an independent news outlet covering the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.

Arts masterclasses launch

with "the Other Mozart" Oct. 2

In the first Charles Center-sponsored arts masterclass of the season, "the Other Mozart" playwright and actress Sylvia Milo discusses her work as the show’s creator and producer. Other masterclasses will include Gesualdo Six and So Percussion.

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Tyler Fellowship supports students' research abroad

Maya Parfitt '27 was among five W&M undergraduates who received funding through Florida State University's Tyler Center for Global Studies to conduct summer research projects abroad. Landon Broocke '27, Talia Holzman '27, Eleni Klissas '27, and Alexa Lewandowski '27 also received Tyler Fellowships in support of their research.

1693 Scholar Silien '28 garners $25,000 DAR scholarship

Class of 1940 1693 Scholar Ryan Silien '28 is one of ten students nationwide to receive a National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) America 250! Scholarship. Silien is a history and government double major and studied at Oxford University last spring.

Boundless curiosity: Sharpe Scholar Nayak '27

Economics and international relations double major Akash Nayak '27 continues to make the world his classroom--whether nearby, as a Sharpe Community Scholar, in Slovakia as a Sharp Journalism Seminar reporter, or in Bosnia with the American-Bosnian Collaboration Project and beyond.

Read more from The Flat Hat

McCallum '27 and Murphy '28

excel as Stravitz Scholars

WMSURE scholar Darius McCallum '27 and Monroe Scholar Caitlin Murphy were among the undergraduates at the Batten School & VIMS (known as "Stravitz Scholars") who conducted research on the Gloucester, Virginia, campus last summer.

Summer housing fund

fuels student research

The Summer Scholars program serves as an on-campus housing fund for dozens of undergraduate students. The program guarantees summer housing for students conducting mentored research on campus at W&M, relieving the financial burden of housing and allowing students to focus on their research.

Author Dava Sobel urges students to pursue big solutions

"There are real problems in the world -- big problems. They are not being addressed, and they must be." This was the overarching message of renowned author Dava Sobel during her lunchtime discussion with 1693 Scholars at the Murray House Sept. 25. Sobel's visit, which included a stop at the Fall Undergraduate Research Symposium, was cosponsored by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

Charles Center at a glance, 2025-26

Fall '26: Save the dates!

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Fair

October 14

From 11am to 2pm, faculty and students will share examples of research in their respective departments/programs and guide students toward pathways to begin their own research.

Internship & Applied Learning Expo

October 28

From 3-4:30pm on Sadler Terrace, students can learn about dozens of opportunities on campus and beyond! Hosted by the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement.

Catron Scholars

Exhibition

November 12

Join us from 5-7pm, when we celebrate the artistic development of this year's Catron Scholars through student presentations and a reception in the Hart Gallery, located in Sadler Center.

Charles Center Staff Spotlight

Welcome, Ash Trebisacci!

We are thrilled to welcome Ash Trebisacci to the Charles Center team as our Assistant Director of Undergraduate Research.

Ash (they, them) holds a B.A. in English and gender & sexuality studies from Stonehill College and an M.Ed. in higher education from Merrimack College.

Ash spent junior year abroad at Worcester College, Oxford, which solidified their love of research and inspired them to pursue a career helping college students access transformative learning experiences. For over 15 years, Ash has worked in areas such as: study abroad, international student services, and inclusive excellence. Their past research has focused on the impact of student activism and experiential learning on students' identity development.

Get to know the rest of our team here!

Your support makes research happen!

Giving to the Charles Center Fund ensures your gift will support the areas of greatest need and student impact. In all we do, we seek to put our values in action: inclusivity & accessibility, collaboration & connection, and inquiry & innovation.