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I was amidst a professional conference's buzz and intellectual vibrancy a few weeks back. And there, I had the good fortune to reconnect with Drs. Adriana Gorea, David Loranger, Arienne McCracken, Sara Jablon-Roberts, Wijdan Tawfiq, and Ling Zhang. I had the honor of guiding these bright sparks through the rigorous journey of their dissertations.
Mentoring doctoral candidates is a chapter of my career that fills me with immense pride. So far, I have seen 33 graduate students—13 doctorates over the past 11 years and 20 masters during my career —cross the finish line. This blog post, though, is a special shoutout to the doctorates. (Masters, stay tuned; your spotlight's coming soon!)
My journey as a mentor could never have begun without the inspiration I drew from my mentors, my "board of directors" from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Their dedication to excellence in graduate student mentorship paved the path I now walk. It is only fitting to send a heartfelt thank you to Drs. Patricia Crews, Robert Hillestad, Rita Kean, Joan Laughlin, Barbara Trout, and Professor Weiss for lighting the way, who deserve their own future blog post.
Each time I catch a glimpse of their work, a sense of joy bubbles up inside me. Their innovations, research, and insights contribute to an ever-evolving and ever-learning world. From reshaping educational paradigms to revolutionizing industry practices, their impacts are as profound as they are varied.
Let me introduce you to the list of these trailblazing scholars whose dissertations I enjoyed overseeing. Here they are, in a sequence that defies academic hierarchy and celebrates the alphabet: a roster of names that have not only etched their mark in my heart but are also making significant waves across various industries.
So here is to the doctorates, the masters, and every student I have had the privilege to mentor. Here is to the late-night discussions, the brainstorming sessions, the eureka moments, and even the occasional stumbles from which we all learned so much.
In the grand tapestry of academia and industry, my students—past, present, and future—are the threads that shine the brightest. They are not just scholars within their realms but pioneers, leaders, and lifelong learners whose work has been honored by professional organizations. As I continue my path, I carry the lessons they have taught me, the memories we’ve shared, and the anticipation of all the wonders they have yet to unveil.
Thank you, each of you, for allowing me to be a part of your incredible journeys. Here is to the innovation, the insight, and the indelible mark you are leaving on the world!
The 13 Drs.! | Dissertation Topic |
AKM Mashud Alam, Ph.D.* (co-advised with Dr. Chunhui Xiang) | Development of Polydiacetylene Based Colorimetric Nanofiber Sensor for Pesticide Detection in Chemical Protective Clothing |
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Samii Kennedy Benson, Ph.D. | Black Fashion Designers Matter: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences of Black Female Fashion Design Entrepreneurs |
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Erin French, Ph.D. | Stitching Masculinities, Stitching Stories: Men’s Quiltmaking Experiences 1970-2020 |
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Adriana Gorea, Ph.D.*(co-advised with Dr. Fatma Baytar) | Seamless Knitted Sports Bra Design: A Responsive System Design Exploration |
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Chanmi Hwang, Ph.D. | Design Requirements for Female Boomer’s Smart Activewear: A Sequential Exploratory Mixed Methods Study |
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Ja-Young Hwang, Ph.D.* (co-advised with Dr. MaryLynn Damhorst) | Fashion Designers’ Decision-Making Process: The Influence of Cultural Values and Personal Experience in the Creative Design Process |
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Sara Jablon-Roberts, Ph.D. | Historical Accuracy in Costume Design: A Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences of Broadway Costume Designers |
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David Loranger, Ph.D. | Scottish Kiltmaking: Knowledge, Practice, and Potential for Protected Geographic Indication |
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Arienne McCracken, Ph.D.* (co-advised with Dr. MaryLynn Damhorst) | Visibility, Transgression, and Community: An Exploratory Study of Plus-Size Fashion YouTubers |
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Brianna Plummer,Ph.D. (co-advised with Dr. Fatma Baytar) | Engineering Digital Technologies: A Model for Integrating Digital Textile Printing in Costume Design and Production Education |
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Wijdan Tawfiq, Ph.D. (co-advised with Dr. MaryLynn Damhorst) | The Saudi Arabian Bride Shopping Experience |
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Bingyue Wei, Ph.D.* (co- advised with Dr. Ling Zhang) | Utilizing the Apparel Design Collection to Represent Qualitative Study Findings: Understanding Female Chinese/Chinese American Fashion and Textile Designer’s Appearance Management Experience with Their Creativity |
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Ling Zhang, Ph.D. | From Chinese Painting to Wearable Art: The Development of Wearable Art Design Process Model and Evaluation Methods for Wearable Art Designers |
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