The professor who made the trip

Dan Alia never met a challenge he didn't accept, so when he was asked to lead a Winter Study Abroad program last year, he jumped in with both feet. Alia, a visiting instructor in the Lerner College of Business and Economics, was recognized for his efforts with a student-nominated award presented by the Interim Provost just a few months later.

Study abroad has been a cornerstone of the University of Delaware experience for more than 100 years, with faculty members guiding students through immersive international programs across the world since 1923. Many faculty directors spend years planning and leading programs before being recognized for their leadership and impact, but in Alia's case, his students made sure he didn't have to wait.

In late June 2025, Alia received a phone call from Suresh Sundaram, a marketing professor and long-time study abroad faculty director, offering him the opportunity to lead the Paris BUAD Winter Session program. Although excited by the opportunity, Alia said the role came with a steep learning curve. Over the next several months, he worked with the Study Abroad team to tailor his program properly to the Parisian culture, coordinate logistics, prepare students for the experience and plan for a month abroad - all while balancing a busy fall semester.

"I was nervous, excited and honored that the Study Abroad team thought I could do it and asked me," Alia said.