Visiting Lerner College instructor Dan Alia was honored with the student-nominated 2026 Study Abroad Faculty Director of the Year Award after leading his first study abroad program to Paris last winter.

The professor who made the trip

Article by Raegan Paultaf Photos courtesy of Dan Alia, Kimberly Klinger and Emma Mirsky July 24, 2026

Visiting Lerner College instructor Dan Alia was unanimously nominated by his students for the 2026 Study Abroad Faculty Director of the Year award

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.

Receiving unanimous support from his first group of study abroad students was both surprising and meaningful for Visiting Instructor Dan Alia, who said building relationships with students became one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.

Through the months of preparation, Alia learned the detailed process of leading a study abroad program while getting to know the 17 students who would travel with him to Paris. Although it was his first time serving as a faculty director, students quickly recognized his enthusiasm, openness and willingness to make the experience meaningful for everyone involved. By the end of the Winter Session program, the impact Alia had made on the group was clear. Every student independently submitted a nomination recognizing him for Study Abroad Faculty Director of the Year.

During the Study Abroad Faculty Director Awards Luncheon in May, Study Abroad Director Matt Drexler read excerpts from student nominations submitted for Alia’s award recognition. They all praised and acknowledged the impact his leadership had on their experience and personal growth.

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. This year’s Study Abroad Faculty Director of the year was Dan Alia.

“This year’s award was the first time students have selected the rookie of the year, and it's a fitting tribute to a period where over the past year, 23 new faculty members have either led their first program or had their first proposal approved for future travel,” Drexler shared when presenting the award along with Interim Provost William Farquhar.

Receiving unanimous support from his first group of study abroad students was both surprising and meaningful for Alia, who said building relationships with students became one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. He expressed how gratifying it was watching students grow more confident and independent throughout their time abroad.

“The first memory that jumps into my head is us walking through the streets,” Alia said. “The 17 students would be in the middle, and I’d overhear their excitement and wonder while talking about where they went the night before, stopping into shops for a sweet treat or just realizing where they were. They were maximizing their time and that’s what makes me so happy when I look back on the experience.”

Throughout the Winter Session program, students balanced coursework with cultural immersion, exploring Paris while learning how business concepts extend beyond the classroom in a global context. Students visited eight different Parisian businesses from varying industries and discussed the French culture, strategic direction and similarities and differences with American businesses. They also participated in six cultural events throughout Paris - exposing the students to the rich history of the museums, cathedrals, monuments, and oldest parts of the city.

From navigating daily life in another country to experiencing new perspectives and environments, students said Alia helped create an atmosphere that was both supportive and encouraging. Emma Mirsky said Alia’s leadership allowed her and other students to feel comfortable stepping outside of their comfort zones while still feeling supported throughout the trip.

“He knew that we were abroad in a new city that most of us had never been to before and we wanted to see a lot,” Mirsky said. “He was just so open, and open about every situation, like when there were minor problems with train tickets or other things, he would always make the best of all of them.”

When Dan Alia 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.

Although it was his first time leading a study abroad program, students said Alia approached the experience with enthusiasm, adaptability and genuine care for the group. Many students described him as approachable and invested in making the program meaningful for every participant.

Receiving the Study Abroad Faculty Director of the Year award was an unexpected honor for Alia, who said he was grateful simply for the opportunity to lead the program.

“I'm humbled that anybody would vote for me,” Alia said. “I still can't believe they gave me the opportunity to go to Paris with 17 wonderful students, teach them and help guide them through the experience. It was an incredible opportunity from the very beginning.”

Before joining the University of Delaware as a visiting instructor, Alia built a career in sales and professional development, experiences that students said translated naturally into his mentorship and leadership style abroad. His ability to connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences helped students engage more deeply with both the academic and cultural aspects of the program.

Throughout the Paris BUAD study abroad program in Winter 2026, students balanced coursework with cultural immersion, exploring Paris while learning how business concepts extend beyond the classroom in a global context. They visited eight different Parisian businesses from varying industries and discussed French culture, strategic direction and similarities and differences with American businesses. They also participated in six cultural events throughout the city.

For students, however, the experience became about more than academics.

“He was always trying to squeeze things in,” one student wrote on their award nomination form. “We’d already be out exploring, and he’d say, ‘Oh, we’re right by this — we have to go.’ Then we’d end up doing something unexpected like going up to the Arc de Triomphe. He always wanted us to experience as much of Paris as possible.”

The recognition reflected the impact students felt throughout the program, one built on trust, mentorship and meaningful experiences abroad.

“I want to continue with this program, for however long they will have me,” Alia said. “I only have one under my belt but I am super excited for next Winter with the 20 students signed up and ready to go.”

In addition to the award for Study Abroad Faculty Director of the Year, the Center for Global Programs and Services, which is home to UD Study Abroad, also presented the first-ever Global Partner of the Year Award to STAR Scholars Network and launched a new book celebrating the University's pioneering history. 100 Years of Study Abroad Reflections from University Students, Alumni, Faculty and Staff details the UD study abroad program’s evolution and stories throughout history.

About the Center for Global Programs and Services

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the UD campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.

Follow and engage with @UDGlobal on LinkedIn and Instagram for the latest updates on everything global happening at UD.