2025 Conference Special Topics
Special Topic Sessions at the ITAA Annual Conference are curated sessions that focus on timely, emerging, or interdisciplinary issues relevant to the textile and apparel field. These sessions often feature a series of coordinated presentations, panels, or roundtable discussions that explore a central theme in greater depth than is typical for individual abstract presentations. Organized by members or invited experts, Special Topic Sessions aim to foster collaboration, generate dialogue, and provide a platform for innovative scholarship, pedagogy, and industry engagement that align with ITAA’s mission and strategic goals. They are intermixed within the concurrent sessions, but are indicated as a special topic. Read the sessions below to determine which ones you would like to attend.
Special Topic 1 - Graduate Programs in Textiles and Apparel and TAPAC Accreditation: A Discussion of Benefits, Challenges, and Future Opportunities
This session will provide ITAA members, both faculty and graduate students, with information about accreditation offered by TAPAC for graduate programs, along with general discussion of textiles and apparel program challenges and opportunities both now and in the future. Sharing of approaches taken to strengthen graduate programs are in the best interests of the discipline. Details of the accreditation requirements and process will be shared with session participants. Bring your department administrator with you!
Time: TBD
Place: TBD
Presenters:
Dr. Nancy Hodges, University of North Carolina Greensboro (Moderator)
Dr. Bruce Cameron, Louisiana State University
Dr. Young-A Lee, Auburn University
Dr. Song-yi Youn, University of Missouri
Dr. Kittichai (Tu) Watchravesringkan, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Dr. Carol Warfield, TAPAC Executive Director
Special Topic 2 - Sharing, Inspiring, and Documenting: Publication Needs for Teaching Practices and Research
Continuous innovation in teaching is essential in higher education to meet diverse learning needs and prepare future professionals, especially in fashion programs where rapid shifts in technology, business, culture, and sustainability shape the curriculum. Documenting and sharing teaching practices enables faculty to reflect, showcase innovation, and contribute to pedagogical scholarship and career advancement. This special topic session offers a platform for faculty to exchange strategies and address challenges in publishing teaching-related work through three parts: 1) Overview of current resources and needs, 2) Perspectives on publishing Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), and 3) Advancing careers through publishing teaching practices and SoTL.
Time: TBD
Place: TBD
Co-Coordinators and Presenters:
Doreen Chung, Iowa State University (co-coordinator)
Hye-Shin Kim, University of Delaware (co-coordinator)
Sara Marcketti, Iowa State University
Priscilla Gitimu, Belmost University
Heajoo (Yvonne) Lee, Iowa State University
Special Topic 3 - Navigating and Thriving in Academia
This session is to help graduate students and early to mid-career faculty (1) understand key aspects of academic career planning, (2) to develop strategies for balancing research, teaching and service, (3) explore methods to build and sustain professional networks and (4) tips for personal and professional happiness, success and well-being. Attendees will leave with session materials including handouts with resources and slides summarizing key points. We hope that this session will be interactive, and everyone will leave with new knowledge to help them travel their own journey to success.
Time: TBD
Place: TBD
Presenters:
Lynn Boorady, Oklahoma State University
Beth Myers, Georgia State University
Charles Freeman, Texas Christian University
Elena Karpova, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Young-A Lee, Auburn University