Dr. Elizabeth O Dulemba, director of graduate programs in children’s literature and illustration at Hollins University, answered our questions about the new low-residency pathway they’re now offering for their already well-respected graduate programs in children’s literature, writing, and illustration. The new model will officially be offered beginning in spring 2026.

1. How long has this initiative been in the works?

Dr. Elizabeth O. Dulemba: We’ve already offered a few remote classes for over a decade now — one class each fall and spring. Increasingly, however, prospective students have been asking if they are able to complete our degrees primarily online, which they couldn’t do in the old delivery model. COVID made it clear that not only is online education possible, but it can be done well, especially by our seasoned and well-published faculty members who have years of teaching experience already — they are masters in their fields of writing, illustration, and scholarship. To make their talents and our programming available to a wider audience has been a long-term goal; so, we’ve been working towards our low-residency model for quite some time now.

2. Why was now the right time to launch it?

EOD: I came on board as the new program director in August 2023, so we were already going through a transition; and post-COVID, it just makes sense. It’s been a good time to initiate changes that will strengthen our program and help usher it into its next decades. The change also better aligns with our university’s mission to open opportunities to and for more people from various backgrounds and locales, making our programming accessible, flexible, and achievable in a reasonable amount of time.

But also, in today’s political climate, it’s important to us that students from around the world be able to access our courses. Readers have a right to read stories from their own cultures, experiences, and backgrounds as their earliest form of literature. So, not only are we hoping to teach the writers and illustrators of tomorrow, but we’re also hoping to teach industry leaders, from librarians to publishers in the U.S. and abroad, how to make books that are more effective for their own communities.

The Victory Wall is updated every year and includes books published by faculty, alumni, and students from the previous year. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth O Dulemba.

3. What has the response been so far?

EOD: The response has been very positive! Even those who were skeptical at first were thrilled to see that with our new model, we now offer more classes year-round, making the path to a degree shorter (if desired), more streamlined, and more predictable. With our classes now offered on a two-year rotation, it makes it easier for students to plan their trajectories. For instance, if they want to achieve a degree in as little time as possible, they can map out their courses with that goal; or, if they need to fit classes around a busy life, they can see exactly what will be offered when so they can plan accordingly.

Hollins University offers the only MFA in Children’s Book Writing and Illustrating in the US. With the new low residency program, students can achieve a graduate degree in 26 months or less.

4. What’s the most important thing someone who’s considering this program should know?

EOD: There are several defining differences between us and some other programs that interested students should know about.

We pride ourselves on working with individuals towards the best path for them, because no two students are alike. We help each student find their own most effective journey and voice, whether that be in academia, creative writing, or illustrating.

Our program is different from other low-residency programs in that we offer traditional full-length classes where students interact with one another and a range of highly qualified professors rather than working one-on-one with a mentor like in the typical brief-residency model.

We also try to widen the scope to help students understand the career paths that surround the world of children’s books. Children’s media is a multi-billion-dollar industry worldwide and covers a broad range of job opportunities. Building a life around this industry and the kind people in it can make for a very satisfying life journey.

Students and faculty, summer 2025. Photo courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth O Dulemba.

5. How do you envision a new iteration of “Hollins Magic”?

EOD: Hollins magic is made up of so many things. The magic comes not only from immersing yourself in a topic you are passionate about, but also from doing so with people who share your passions. How often in life are you surrounded by people who regularly make references to the same things you enjoy? We just get each other — students and teachers alike. But also, when you create something you love, joy flows out of you and is happily echoed and shared by your colleagues. It’s inspiring to see what lights someone up — whether that be an idea, a story, or a well-drawn character. It creates an infectious glee that arises from working together.

The two weeks on campus will also continue to provide long-standing traditions and opportunities for random connections that can last a lifetime. So many new ideas have been born over lunches in our dining hall with that amazing view of the mountains, or during walks around our rolling Appalachian campus.

Add the enormous collection of children’s books in our Margaret Wise Brown Reading Room (class of 1932) and beloved children’s book characters (created by faculty member Ashley Wolff) that we place across our grounds each year, and it’s not just magic for us, but also for our local community.

Truly, our “Hollins Magic” is something we’re known for, and now we will be able to share it with an even wider group of aspiring creators. We’re thrilled!

Those interested in learning more about Children’s Literature and Illustration programming at Hollins University can subscribe to their monthly newsletter at www.hollins.edu/childlit or email dulembaeo@hollins.edu.