Meredith’s Italian Faculty Visit Campus

Faculty members who are based in Meredith’s Italian home of Sansepolcro are visiting campus to connect with students and faculty here in Raleigh.

Associate Director of Meredith in Italy Sara Andreini is on campus for three weeks and Instructor Antonella Mercati was at Meredith for a one-week visit. One of the purposes of their visit is to meet with students who are interested in studying abroad in Sansepolcro.

Meredith College has long had a strong study abroad program based in Sansepolcro. 

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Meredith’s opening of its study abroad site at the Palazzo Alberti. Watch a tour of the Palazzo 

During the 2024-25 year, approximately 140 members of the Meredith community will reside in the Palazzo Alberti through college-sponsored programs. 

Andreini lives in Sansepolcro and supports students, faculty, and staff from Meredith who study and travel there. In addition to providing valuable on-site support, she teaches a course for fall semester students called Italy Today. 

“Sara has been connected with Meredith College since our relationship began with the town of Sansepolcro over 30 years ago,” said Dr. Brooke Shurer, director of international programs. 

Andreini enjoys visiting Meredith each year. “My favorite part of the visit is to be back with my Meredith family and with my students and colleagues who are now friends,” she said.

Mercati teaches art history for Meredith in Italy. While she has taught for Meredith since 2015, this was her first time visiting Meredith and North Carolina. 

“Antonella is an accomplished artist and educator who also lives in Sansepolcro, Italy,” said Shurer. “Since 2015, she has regularly taught an art history course for Meredith students who study abroad in Sansepolcro for the fall semester.” 

Andreini visits Meredith each January. While here, she will be meeting with faculty to develop Italy study abroad programs for 2025 and 2026. She will also be connecting with colleagues throughout Meredith to strengthen relationships between the Raleigh campus and our study abroad site in Sansepolcro. During her visit, Mercati also met with faculty and students in Meredith’s art department, observed classes, and visited local art museums in Raleigh. 

The Office of International Programs will host a drop-in event on Monday, February 10, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Lux Hall Faculty/Staff Lounge.

“This is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff who would like to say ‘Ciao!’ to Sara while she’s here,” Shurer said.

While on campus, Andreini and Mercati were asked questions about themselves and Sansepolcro for a social media video promoting study abroad. Watch the video on Meredith’s YouTube channel