Mission

The Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA) is a student internship program at the University of Vermont that brings together students, faculty, researchers, and community partners to design and develop open-source and open-data projects. ORCA’s mission is to build real-world solutions that advance research, strengthen Vermont communities, and contribute to broader national and global open initiatives.

Through collaborative, interdisciplinary teams, ORCA provides students with hands-on experience in software development, data analysis, geospatial mapping, UX design, and community engagement. By working in an Agile environment, students learn not only technical skills but also project management, teamwork, and communication—preparing them to thrive in both academic and professional settings.

At its core, ORCA is guided by the principles of openness, transparency, and social impact. Every project is designed to be accessible, reusable, and sustainable, ensuring that the work created through ORCA continues to provide value long after its completion. By contributing to open-source and open-data ecosystems, ORCA builds bridges between the university, local communities, and global networks of researchers and developers.

Goals

• Empower students to gain meaningful, project-based experience in open-source and open-data work.
• Support research translation from the university into tools and resources that benefit communities.
• Strengthen partnerships among students, faculty, government, nonprofits, and open-source contributors.
• Promote a culture of openness, equity, and innovation in research and technology.

Values

ORCA is guided by a set of values that shape how we work, learn, and collaborate. These values ensure that our projects not only produce strong technical outcomes but also embody the principles of openness, inclusivity, and community impact.

• Collaboration - We believe the best solutions come from diverse teams working together. ORCA fosters interdisciplinary collaboration among students, faculty, researchers, and community partners.
• Transparency - Open communication and clear documentation are at the heart of every ORCA project. We strive to make our processes, decisions, and outcomes visible and accessible to all.
• Impact - Our projects are designed to make a difference—whether by supporting local communities, advancing research, or contributing to national and global open-source initiatives.
• Inclusivity - ORCA welcomes participants from all academic disciplines and backgrounds. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can contribute and thrive.
• Sustainability - We build projects with the future in mind. By following open standards and best practices, ORCA ensures that tools and data created today can continue to benefit users and communities long after the program cycle ends.
• Learning - ORCA is both a professional experience and a learning opportunity. We encourage curiosity, skill development, and mentorship, recognizing that growth comes from both success and experimentation.