URI College of Arts and Sciences

06/01/2026

URI College of Arts and Sciences Fellow Deleonya Brown '26, an art major, will spend her summer working with The Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum to strengthen its visual identity and digital presence.

Working alongside faculty mentor Professor Clarisa Carubin, Brown will redesign the museum's website, social media platforms and print materials, including brochures, flyers and letterhead. The project supports the museum's ongoing renovations and efforts to preserve colonial-era artifacts for future generations.

Founded in 1651, the Stanton-Davis Homestead Museum is the oldest working farm in Connecticut. Its history includes the story of Venture Smith, who was enslaved there before purchasing his freedom in 1765 and publishing one of the earliest known firsthand accounts of slavery in colonial America.

"I'm African American, and this project will help me learn more about myself because there's so much history about African Americans that has not been talked about," Brown said. "The homestead is small, but it has so much history. That's why graphic design is so important for something like this, to help bring something to light that no one had expected or initially thought of."

The College of Arts and Sciences Fellows Program provides paid 10-week summer fellowships that allow undergraduate students to pursue research, scholarly and creative projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Read more about her fellowship➡️ https://www.uri.edu/news/2026/05/uri-arts-and-sciences-fellow-to-enhance-new-england-colonial-history-through-graphic-design/

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

Congratulations to four URI students and their faculty mentors who received mini-grants through a new program supported by Amazon Web Services and the URI Institute for AI and Computational Research.

The grants support projects exploring the intersection of quantum computing with the arts, social sciences and humanities, highlighting how emerging technology could shape culture, communication, public opinion and creative expression.

Graduate student Ali Ghaderi, an English major, and mentor Carolyn Betensky received funding for “Superposition and Story,” a project examining how quantum computing could transform archives, cultural preservation, narrative transmission and the adaptation industry.

Junior Christina Chakar, a double major in criminal justice and political science, and mentors Brian Krueger and Ashlea Rundlett are researching how competition between the United States and China shapes public attitudes toward artificial intelligence and quantum computing, including perceptions of technological risk and government oversight.

Sophomore Jack Kenneweg, a computer science and art major with a minor in cybersecurity, and mentor Travess Smalley are developing “Visual Art: Quantum Entanglement and Superposition,” an interactive art installation featuring two linked monitors in a custom-built frame inspired by concepts from quantum computing.

Senior Calder Puckett, a professional and public writing major, and mentor Jeremiah Dyehouse are exploring how quantum computing could improve natural language processing systems across different languages and accents while reducing bias and advancing linguistic justice.

The students will present their research at URI’s World Quantum Day event in 2027.

Learn more about the grants below ⬇️

KINGSTON, R.I. – May 22, 2026 – A quartet of University of Rhode Island students and their faculty mentors have each been awarded mini-grants to help support their research into quantum computing. Christina Chakar, Ali Ghaderi, Jack Kenneweg and Calder Puckett received the monetary awards as par...

05/26/2026

Please join us in welcoming the new Dean of Arts and Sciences, Pamela Swett!

URI is pleased to announce Pamela Swett has been named dean of the URI College of Arts and Sciences following a national search.

A respected academic leader and scholar, Swett has led initiatives focused on interdisciplinary education, research support, and civic engagement as dean of the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University.

Please join us in welcoming her to URI!

Full announcement at the link below:
➡️ https://www.uri.edu/news/2026/05/university-of-rhode-island-appoints-pamela-swett-dean-of-the-college-of-arts-and-sciences/

05/26/2026

05/22/2026

Bo Brady ’26, journalism, has embraced opportunities that push him beyond the classroom, from contributing to The Good 5 Cent Cigar to representing the university on a global stage. The New York native chose URI for its vibrant culture and quickly found his footing through hands-on experiences that strengthened his confidence and storytelling skills.
One of the highlights of his college career came when he was selected to travel to Seoul, South Korea, where he reported on URI’s international initiatives and built meaningful connections abroad.
“I was lucky enough to be selected as a delegate to represent URI in Seoul, South Korea, this past November. During this experience, I reported on initiatives URI was advancing in the region to build connections, recruit international students, and create study-abroad opportunities. This was not only my most worthwhile experience at URI, but it was one of the coolest things I've done in my life. URI has given me a lot, but this really stands out as one of my proudest accomplishments here.”

Read more here: https://web.uri.edu/harrington/news/2026/05/19/bo-brady-26/

05/17/2026