Our Committee
Marsha Dickson
Dr. Marsha Dickson (Irma Ayers Professor, Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware) is internationally known for her research and teaching on socially responsible practices in the apparel industry and has been awarded Apparel Magazine's All-Star Award and the International Textile and Apparel Association's Distinguished Scholar Award and Fellow Award for that work. Her research has been conducted in several countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guatemala, India, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Vietnam. Dickson recently co-founded Better Buying, an initiative that is supporting apparel suppliers and reducing risks for workers by improving purchasing practices of brands and retailers. She is founder and was President of an international consortium of Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices from 2000 to 2015. Dickson is also a member of the board of directors of the Fair Labor Association, a non-governmental organization originally formed by President Clinton to address labor standards and working conditions in the apparel industry.
Dr. Marsha Dickson (Irma Ayers Professor, Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies, University of Delaware) is internationally known for her research and teaching on socially responsible practices in the apparel industry and has been awarded Apparel Magazine's All-Star Award and the International Textile and Apparel Association's Distinguished Scholar Award and Fellow Award for that work. Her research has been conducted in several countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Guatemala, India, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Vietnam. Dickson recently co-founded Better Buying, an initiative that is supporting apparel suppliers and reducing risks for workers by improving purchasing practices of brands and retailers. She is founder and was President of an international consortium of Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices from 2000 to 2015. Dickson is also a member of the board of directors of the Fair Labor Association, a non-governmental organization originally formed by President Clinton to address labor standards and working conditions in the apparel industry.
Janet Hethorn
Janet Hethorn is the Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. As a designer and writer, she explores various contexts and meaning of style and appearance. Projects tend to focus on the visual experiences of the viewer(s) and their formation of aesthetic meaning. Current research and creative projects examine how people respond to expressions of visual style in everyday situations and the issues that emerge from these responses. She won the initial Best Sustainable Design award at the International Textiles and Apparel design exhibition in 2006 and again in 2008 for coat designs that focused on the concept of re-use and user performance needs. As a design leader, she supports teams of scholars, students, and clients as they explore human centered and sustainable solutions to complex problems by engaging in design thinking across disciplines. Hethorn is co-author of Sustainable Fashion, What’s Next? Published in 2015 by Bloomsbury in New York.
Janet Hethorn is the Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. As a designer and writer, she explores various contexts and meaning of style and appearance. Projects tend to focus on the visual experiences of the viewer(s) and their formation of aesthetic meaning. Current research and creative projects examine how people respond to expressions of visual style in everyday situations and the issues that emerge from these responses. She won the initial Best Sustainable Design award at the International Textiles and Apparel design exhibition in 2006 and again in 2008 for coat designs that focused on the concept of re-use and user performance needs. As a design leader, she supports teams of scholars, students, and clients as they explore human centered and sustainable solutions to complex problems by engaging in design thinking across disciplines. Hethorn is co-author of Sustainable Fashion, What’s Next? Published in 2015 by Bloomsbury in New York.
Erin Irick
Erin Irick is an Assistant Professor of Design, Merchandising and Textiles in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Wyoming. She teaches in the Apparel Design area where she attempts to incorporate aspects of sustainability into each of her courses. Her research interests and creative scholarship focus on apparel design using repurposed and recycled materials. This includes everything from the sourcing of materials, textile design, product development to the consumer response of the final product. She believes research and creative scholarship should be applicable to the real world with the intent of bettering the lives of the citizens of the planet and the planet itself.
Erin Irick is an Assistant Professor of Design, Merchandising and Textiles in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Wyoming. She teaches in the Apparel Design area where she attempts to incorporate aspects of sustainability into each of her courses. Her research interests and creative scholarship focus on apparel design using repurposed and recycled materials. This includes everything from the sourcing of materials, textile design, product development to the consumer response of the final product. She believes research and creative scholarship should be applicable to the real world with the intent of bettering the lives of the citizens of the planet and the planet itself.
Young-A Lee
Dr. Young-A Lee is an associate professor of the apparel, merchandising, and design (AMD) program in the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management at Iowa State University (ISU). Dr. Lee is currently the AMD Program leader, Gerontology Program Undergraduate Coordinator, affiliated faculty member for Human Computer Interaction and Gerontology programs as well as Nutrition and Wellness Research Center at ISU. Her research focuses on the area of design and product development with the seamless integration of innovative design technologies and sustainability practices by working with colleagues from diverse disciplines. Her overall research stream is under the frame of "Hi-tech application to sustainable product design and development for the betterment of people and the planet." Her recent research focuses on developing sustainable apparel-related products using novel, biodegradable cellulosic nonwoven materials as a leather alternative. She also teaches both undergrad and graduate level sustainability-related courses at ISU.
Dr. Young-A Lee is an associate professor of the apparel, merchandising, and design (AMD) program in the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management at Iowa State University (ISU). Dr. Lee is currently the AMD Program leader, Gerontology Program Undergraduate Coordinator, affiliated faculty member for Human Computer Interaction and Gerontology programs as well as Nutrition and Wellness Research Center at ISU. Her research focuses on the area of design and product development with the seamless integration of innovative design technologies and sustainability practices by working with colleagues from diverse disciplines. Her overall research stream is under the frame of "Hi-tech application to sustainable product design and development for the betterment of people and the planet." Her recent research focuses on developing sustainable apparel-related products using novel, biodegradable cellulosic nonwoven materials as a leather alternative. She also teaches both undergrad and graduate level sustainability-related courses at ISU.
Tasha Lewis
Tasha Lewis, PhD., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design at Cornell University where she teaches in the area of fashion design management. Her research interests include the disruptive impact of technology in the apparel industry, the behavior of fashion brands, global and domestic apparel production ("glocalization") issues, and the significance of social responsibility and sustainability throughout the apparel supply chain. Dr. Lewis has also worked in the apparel industry in areas of production, sourcing, and retail operations and maintains ongoing contact with industry professionals to inform her research. She is a faculty fellow of Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future and a research fellow in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research Initiative housed in Cornell’s Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics.
Tasha Lewis, PhD., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design at Cornell University where she teaches in the area of fashion design management. Her research interests include the disruptive impact of technology in the apparel industry, the behavior of fashion brands, global and domestic apparel production ("glocalization") issues, and the significance of social responsibility and sustainability throughout the apparel supply chain. Dr. Lewis has also worked in the apparel industry in areas of production, sourcing, and retail operations and maintains ongoing contact with industry professionals to inform her research. She is a faculty fellow of Cornell’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future and a research fellow in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research Initiative housed in Cornell’s Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics.
Michael Londrigan
Industry veteran Michael Londrigan is the Dean of Academic Affairs of LIM College and former Chair of the Fashion merchandising Department. Michael was promoted to the position of Dean in January of 2013.
Professor Londrigan arrived at LIM College in 2008 with nearly 30 years of experience in the apparel industry focusing on retail, wholesale and textiles. He has a strong background in product development along with extensive executive sales, marketing and merchandising skills. He holds an MBA in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Professor Londrigan is the author of the textbook Menswear: Business to Style, published by Fairchild Books. This groundbreaking text allowed colleges throughout the country to introduce a course specifically in menswear marketing. Professor Londrigan has held a number of positions throughout his career, including National Sales and Marketing Manager for Ulster Weavers, Sales Executive for Regal Menswear, Managing Director of U.S. Marketing for Cotton Incorporated, Vice President of Sales at Harper Industries, Account Executive at Oxford Industries, and Associate Menswear Buyer for J.C. Penney. He also served as Project Coordinator for Social Accountability International’s “New York City Factory of the Future Project.”
Industry veteran Michael Londrigan is the Dean of Academic Affairs of LIM College and former Chair of the Fashion merchandising Department. Michael was promoted to the position of Dean in January of 2013.
Professor Londrigan arrived at LIM College in 2008 with nearly 30 years of experience in the apparel industry focusing on retail, wholesale and textiles. He has a strong background in product development along with extensive executive sales, marketing and merchandising skills. He holds an MBA in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Professor Londrigan is the author of the textbook Menswear: Business to Style, published by Fairchild Books. This groundbreaking text allowed colleges throughout the country to introduce a course specifically in menswear marketing. Professor Londrigan has held a number of positions throughout his career, including National Sales and Marketing Manager for Ulster Weavers, Sales Executive for Regal Menswear, Managing Director of U.S. Marketing for Cotton Incorporated, Vice President of Sales at Harper Industries, Account Executive at Oxford Industries, and Associate Menswear Buyer for J.C. Penney. He also served as Project Coordinator for Social Accountability International’s “New York City Factory of the Future Project.”
Virginia Noon
Virginia Noon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fashion Design and Retailing at Framingham State University in Massachusetts and teaches in the area of global trade, product development, merchandising, textiles, cultural dress, research methodology and the business of fashion. Virginia is a technical designer and quality assurance specialist and was employed in the textile and apparel industry for more than 25 years. She has lived, worked and traveled extensively throughout South East Asia working side by side with workers to monitor garment production on the factory floor. Her research interests include, fair, healthy and safe manufacturing practices examined through a historical and cultural lens. Recent publications include Lessons Learned: A Comparison of the Textile and Apparel Industry of Early 19th-Century Lawrence and Lowell with China, a chapter in an edited text on the Great Lawrence Textile Strike of 1912 and several entries on Middle Eastern and North African dress published in Ethnic Dress in the United States. Virginia is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Work Environment where she is investigating work, culture and health in artisanal dyeing of traditional clothing in North West Africa.
Virginia Noon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fashion Design and Retailing at Framingham State University in Massachusetts and teaches in the area of global trade, product development, merchandising, textiles, cultural dress, research methodology and the business of fashion. Virginia is a technical designer and quality assurance specialist and was employed in the textile and apparel industry for more than 25 years. She has lived, worked and traveled extensively throughout South East Asia working side by side with workers to monitor garment production on the factory floor. Her research interests include, fair, healthy and safe manufacturing practices examined through a historical and cultural lens. Recent publications include Lessons Learned: A Comparison of the Textile and Apparel Industry of Early 19th-Century Lawrence and Lowell with China, a chapter in an edited text on the Great Lawrence Textile Strike of 1912 and several entries on Middle Eastern and North African dress published in Ethnic Dress in the United States. Virginia is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Department of Work Environment where she is investigating work, culture and health in artisanal dyeing of traditional clothing in North West Africa.
Anupama Parischa
Anupama Parischa, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices (ESRAP). She also is the Chair of the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, and Design at St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota. For nearly a decade, Pasricha has been exploring strategies for sustainable fashion and ethical industry practices including fair labor and fair trade. She has a strong commitment to emphasizing the consumer’s power of choice to consume less and use more by looking for quality products that have longevity, to give businesses a decent price/profit to promote a sustainable system, and to deliberately not ask for cheap products that cause harm to people and the resources that are involved in the process of their production.
Anupama Parischa, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices (ESRAP). She also is the Chair of the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, and Design at St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minnesota. For nearly a decade, Pasricha has been exploring strategies for sustainable fashion and ethical industry practices including fair labor and fair trade. She has a strong commitment to emphasizing the consumer’s power of choice to consume less and use more by looking for quality products that have longevity, to give businesses a decent price/profit to promote a sustainable system, and to deliberately not ask for cheap products that cause harm to people and the resources that are involved in the process of their production.
Connie Ulasewicz
Dr. Ulasewicz engages with students on topics integrating responsible fashion practices within, visual merchandising & promotion, sustainable production development and the social psychology of clothing. She strongly supports the assimilation of community engagement and educational scholarship, and co-development curriculum for a Social Entrepreneurship course offered through the MBA program. Her research interests include, transparency in supply chain management of sewn products manufacturing from fiber to finished product information to the consumer, and product reuse. She is the coauthor of the recently published 2nd edition Sustainable Fashion: Why Now.
Dr. Ulasewicz engages with students on topics integrating responsible fashion practices within, visual merchandising & promotion, sustainable production development and the social psychology of clothing. She strongly supports the assimilation of community engagement and educational scholarship, and co-development curriculum for a Social Entrepreneurship course offered through the MBA program. Her research interests include, transparency in supply chain management of sewn products manufacturing from fiber to finished product information to the consumer, and product reuse. She is the coauthor of the recently published 2nd edition Sustainable Fashion: Why Now.
Tara J. Konya
Tara J. Konya, Ph.D. is the Associate Dean of Academic Operations at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in Manchester, NH. She is also the Co-Chair for ESRAP’s annual Student Merchandising Poster Competition. At SNHU, Dr. Konya is responsible for developing innovative academic programs, including a team-based three-year honors program in business administration and updating the online fashion merchandising and management degrees. As a member of the university’s sustainability working group, she assists with the STARS reporting process. Her research includes the topics of CSR, philanthropy, and sustainability. Specifically, she investigates sustainability strategies of apparel retailer through employee engagement, community involvement, and social impact. Additionally, she researches and presents on pedagogy and sustainability into the classroom.
Tara J. Konya, Ph.D. is the Associate Dean of Academic Operations at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in Manchester, NH. She is also the Co-Chair for ESRAP’s annual Student Merchandising Poster Competition. At SNHU, Dr. Konya is responsible for developing innovative academic programs, including a team-based three-year honors program in business administration and updating the online fashion merchandising and management degrees. As a member of the university’s sustainability working group, she assists with the STARS reporting process. Her research includes the topics of CSR, philanthropy, and sustainability. Specifically, she investigates sustainability strategies of apparel retailer through employee engagement, community involvement, and social impact. Additionally, she researches and presents on pedagogy and sustainability into the classroom.