The Sky's The Limit

Who We Are

UReCA: The NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity is an online publication led and created by students across all disciplines. It is dedicated to uplifting students by creating a unique opportunity to highlight their original work in a nationally recognized journal.

A Note from our Editors:

“Welcome to the 10th edition of UReCA, the most selective undergraduate journal in the country! This journal recognizes the value and importance of each discipline, striving to encourage our readers and authors to explore, understand, and appreciate the world from multiple lenses. With this edition, we were able to recognize the pieces that are truly interdisciplinary, as well as understanding the impact and importance of appreciating fields different from our own areas of interest.

    On our 10th anniversary, we had the distinct honor of working and learning from everyone on our team of national editors, our editorial team at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as well as our newly developed production team at Graceland University, who all share an interest in uplifting diverse perspectives and creating space to appreciate the work of other undergraduates around the world. It is equally important to recognize our faculty advisors. Dr. Jayda Coons and Dr. Brian White, who have allowed us to explore our journal’s identity as a publication completely for students and by students. UReCA, through dedicated support from NCHC, has grown tremendously in the past year, and we look forward to the new ground that this journal will break in upcoming years. Thank you for taking the time to explore the meaningful work from undergraduate students, all who have proven to have shown excellence and distinction in their submissions. We hope these works inspire you to keep exploring new and important ideas that you are excited and passionate about! We also hope that you consider your own work to be a part of the 11th edition, which will be published in the fall of 2026!”

–  Anna Melby, Editor in Chief ; Ellie Minneci, Managing Editor

Submissions

Students may submit works for consideration through Scholastica. Any student, regardless of NCHC affiliation or current undergraduate enrollment, is eligible to submit undergraduate work. Submissions are also welcome from any institution in the United States and abroad.

• Please submit your work with any relevant titles or captions.
• Omit your name, school, and any other identifying information to ensure an unbiased review process. You must also select the category that best suits your piece.
• Foreign language submissions should be accompanied by an English translation.

The review process takes place during the summer and fall months. Submitters should expect to hear from UReCA with a decision of acceptance or rejection in September or October of each year. Each new edition is published in early November. Should you have any questions about the submission process, please email us at nchc.ureca@gmail.com.

Editorship

UReCA is a student-led journal. Every year, honors students from NCHC institutions across the country may apply for a position on the team. The journal seeks to recruit a number of honors students with diverse academic backgrounds from universities across the United States. These students serve as UReCA’s Associate Editors and are responsible for the review of creative work and research submissions. Associate Editors provide feedback and revision suggestions to authors of the selected pieces while working with the Managing Editor and Production Team to develop and maintain the journal throughout the academic year, a process that culminates with the publication of the journal each November. Associate Editors also hold positions on committees that contribute to the success of the journal in various ways.

Selected editors will be invited to a 4-day training session sponsored by NCHC, to be held retreat-style at a national park. Here, editors will work closely with the UReCA production team housed at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 

Homepage Photo Credits: Em Acuña, National Editor (Editorial Retreat, 2025)