Announcement from the Council on Undergraduate Research - Art and Humanities naming FDM Assistant Professor Angela Uriyo as a 2026 Faculty Mentor Awardee. (Credit: Council on Undergraduate Research - Art and Humanities)
Angela Uriyo, Assistant Professor of Fashion and Design Merchandising at the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts and Media (CCAM), has been selected as the 2026 Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) – Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Awardee.
“Dr. Uriyo exemplifies the highest standards of mentorship in undergraduate research and creative activity. Her achievements and dedication to student success are extraordinary,” said Mikylah Myers, Associate Dean of Research and Creative Activity at CCAM.
With more than 18 years of teaching and mentoring experience, Uriyo fosters an environment where students engage in original design work that blends creativity, critical thinking and real-world application. She works closely with students to develop their ideas from concept to execution, guiding them through research-based design processes, encouraging innovation and helping them build confidence in their scholarly and creative abilities.
“When students begin to see themselves not just as designers, but as thinkers, researchers and advocates, mentoring has done its work,” Uriyo said. “Receiving this award strengthens my commitment to building spaces where students can transform their ideas into meaningful contributions to the field.”
In addition to providing technical instruction, Uriyo supports students’ professional growth by helping them gain recognition at regional, national and international levels. Most recently, three of her students were selected for the International Textile and Apparel Association 2025 Undergraduate Design Exhibition.
“She leads with quiet effectiveness,” said Kristina Olson, director of the WVU School of Art and Design. “She is an inspirational role model for her students, helping them submit their design research to national conferences and joining them for co-authored projects.”
Through her inclusive, hands-on learning and her ability to connect research with artistic practice, Uriyo has made a lasting impact on her students and the broader undergraduate research community.
As one student said in support of Uriyo: “Recently, I showcased my designs at New York Fashion Week … This groundbreaking collection was more than just fashion—it’s a celebration of creativity and a heartfelt initiative to improve public awareness of autism spectrum disorder. I was able to pull this off due to the confidence Dr. Uriyo instilled in me.”
Other students praised her ability to make the research process feel rewarding and said Uriyo “embraces a ‘yes, and’ mentality” that pushes students to think creatively.
According to Paul Kreider, WVU’s interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, “Dr. Uriyo provides a learning experience that not only engages students in a meaningful way while they’re at WVU, but also equips them with critical knowledge and skills that help them succeed after graduation. This recognition is well-deserved and reflects our faculty’s commitment to our R1 Research designation and our duty as West Virginia’s land-grant institution.”
“Dr. Uriyo represents the very best of undergraduate research mentorship in the arts and humanities,” said Lindsay Currie, Executive Director of the Council on Undergraduate Research. “Through her innovative approach to fashion as both a creative and scholarly discipline, she empowers students to explore original ideas, think critically and bring research to life through design. Her unwavering commitment to student growth, inclusive mentorship and real-world application has had a transformative impact on her students and has elevated the role of undergraduate research within the creative arts. We are proud to recognize her with the CUR Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Award.”
The CUR-Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Award was established in 2018 through an endowed gift by 2012 CUR Fellow Joyce Kinkead (Utah State University) to nurture undergraduate research, scholarship and creative inquiry in arts and humanities disciplines.
Learn more about the WVU School of Art and Design and the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program at artanddesign.wvu.edu.