Katya Roelse, an instructor in the University of Delaware’s Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies,
is one of UD’s newest Fulbright recipients, earning a grant to teach as
part of the Universidad de San Pablo CEU’s fashion and beauty
communication master’s degree program in Madrid, Spain.
She will join a community of 150-plus UD faculty, students and alumni
who have received awards from the esteemed Fulbright Program.
Roelse initially learned about the opportunity in an email from a
colleague. At first hesitant to apply, she eventually came around. “When
I read through the details and started to write down my ideas and draw
inspiration from my lectures, I saw a dialogue emerge that was exciting
to me,” she said.
While in Madrid, Roelse will serve as both resident expert and eager
student. She will deliver content on topics ranging from sustainability
and innovation, to self-branding, trend forecasting and social media.
Beyond lecturing to students, faculty and alumni, Roelse will also
learn. “I am really looking forward to seeing how a foreign academic
program approaches fashion,” she said. “We’re so used to hearing about
the London and Paris schools but there’s so much more fashion out there,
and Spain is uniquely positioned.”
Roelse, who led a winter 2015 fashion study abroad program in Paris,
sees international education as a means of sparking one’s imagination.
Sharing her excitement to “really reach far to find sources of authentic
inspiration,” Roelse admitted that “although sometimes you can find
these resources nearby, it’s much more fun to see what happens when
different worlds collide.”
About the Fulbright Program
Each year the Fulbright Program
provides 8,000 grants for research or teaching in one of over 140
countries throughout the world. Introduced by U.S. Sen. J. William
Fulbright in 1946, the program seeks to foster international partnership
and cultural exchange by funding research and teaching opportunities
worldwide.
Faculty interested in applying for a Fulbright Award should visit the UD Fulbright website for more information.
Also, all members of the University community are invited to attend the inaugural UD Fulbright Lecture Series
that launches on Tuesday, April 7, with alumnus Kimberly Stevenson
speaking about “Fulbright Before Med School: the Best Decision I ever
Made.” RSVP for one or all lectures online.
The Fulbright Program also offers opportunities for students to
conduct advanced research or teach English in a single country
throughout the world. More information can be found on the UD Fulbright website
and Fulbright Student Program information sessions will be held on
Tuesdays, April 14 and 21, at 3:30 p.m. in the Career Services Center,
401 Academy St. RSVP online via Blue Hen Careers.
