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Sheng Lu, associate professor and director of graduate studies in the UD Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, was one of the conduits to Keough joining the 4+1 program. “I definitely want to continue to improve students’ learning experiences and create even more opportunities for them,” said Lu.
Lu began directing the Fashion 4+1 program last fall. He has two goals for the program: to create more awareness and to create more connections. The program is slowly growing in popularity, with approximately two students enrolled in the program per year. However, Lu would like to see more students try out a 4+1 offering.
“I'm currently working with some industry partners, especially in my research area, to really allow me to have the chance to work with the industry very closely,” shared Lu of his efforts to broaden the opportunities this accelerated program offers. In the future, he hopes to create and nurture long-term industry partnerships that may lead to paid internships focused on high-level research and sponsored by scholarships for those in the fashion 4+1 program.
A total of 15 departments across the College of Arts and Sciences also offer a 4+1 option for their students, including the UD Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
Laura Salsini, the director of the Italian Studies BA/MA 4+1 program, shares the same wish as Lu: that more students become aware of this unique opportunity. The department also offers two 4+1 programs that allow for a student to earn a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s focused on education in languages, literatures and cultures within five years.
“We hope that more students take advantage of this degree,” said Salsini, a professor of Italian at UD who noted that many language students often enroll in dual academic programming or 4+1 offerings. “We also hope that more faculty from other departments recognize how valuable it is to have these students [4+1] in their classes.”