The students, faculty and staff at the Kent State University Shannon Rodgers and Jerry Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising are as different as the creations they design. More than 900 students strong, the school is a mixture of ethnicities and cultures, with almost 20 percent of its students considered minorities.

J. R. Campbell, director of the school, says that for students enrolled in the fashion programs, diversity is necessary for future success.

“Having the opportunity to engage in a range of diverse situations is critical to gaining a global perspective, becoming culturally sensitive and becoming aware of appropriate interaction and communication between individuals,” Campbell says. “For our students, promoting diversity in the school helps to make them more professional and prepares them for entering one of the most diverse industries.”

Under the leadership of the school’s former director, the late Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes, the school more than tripled its enrollment numbers and became one of the largest under-graduate programs at Kent State.

Now, under his direction, Campbell envisions growing and strengthening the program, as well as continuing to increase the diversity of the school.

Student group offers support

For minority students currently enrolled in Kent State’s fashion programs, Modista Fashion Group, a student organization, offers support and opportunities. Although the goal of the group is to unify minority students in the school, any Kent State student or faculty or staff member is invited to join.

Paula Dancie, lecturer for the school, serves as the advisor to the student organization and says the group benefits its members both personally and professionally.

“The group was founded by two minority students who wanted to foster participation and support among other minorities,” Dancie says. “It provides a forum for minority students to encourage each other, boosts their self-image, increases a sense of belonging to the school and provides an opportunity to learn from experts.”

Throughout the academic year, the group’s members are able to attend lectures and participate in fashion-related events.

“When the students attend these lectures or events, it gives them a chance to hear about the industry from professionals, learn fundamental skills such as interviewing for internships, helps them set goals and gets them to think about what career path they might want to follow in the future,” Dancie says.

The group’s members also find ways to use their skills to give back to the community.
“In one meeting, there was a speaker overseeing a project that taught young ladies in an urban community to sew,” Dancie says. “The Modista Fashion Group members were able to donate their skills, resources and time to help ensure these young ladies, who are their successors, would have the ability to succeed in fashion school and the industry.”

Study in New York or abroad

While the Modista Fashion Group serves to unify and support minorities enrolled in the fashion programs, the school encourages all of its students to further embrace diversity and other cultures by participating in study-abroad programs.

“Here in Ohio, we don’t always see fashion or lifestyles from other cultures,” Dancie says. “The study-abroad programs offered through the school foster diversity because students are deliberately placed into a program in another environment and culture.”

Students who have achieved a junior-level standing at the university have an opportunity to take part in study tours to Europe and Asia or enroll in the Kent State University Florence Fashion program. The one-semester-long Florence program allows students to study abroad while continuing their college coursework. Some of the program’s courses are taught by Kent State faculty, and local scholars and professionals enrich the course offerings. The fashion school also runs a New York City Studio where students have an opportunity to spend a semester studying and visiting fashion, arts and cultural-related sites, as well as learning from guest speakers working in the fashion industry.

“By taking part in the study-abroad programs or the New York City studio, students develop an understanding of different ethnicities which helps them see the world from a different perspective,” Dancie says. “These programs are an opportunity to learn about and discover fashion that they might not be exposed to on an everyday basis.”

Dancie says she is excited for Campbell’s vision for the fashion programs and is encouraged by the commitment to and the increase of diversity in the school.

“Diversity can’t be avoided in the fashion industry,” Dancie says. “By encouraging diversity in the programs, we’re preparing our students for success.”

More information about the School of Fashion Design and Merchandising may be found on its Web site: www.fashionschool.kent.edu.