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Pedagogy and Professional Development

Utilizing A Professional Trade Association for Undergraduate Student Engagement

Authors
  • Blake Mudd (University of Houston)
  • Barbara Stewart (University of Houston)

Abstract

Integrating the work of a professional association into an undergraduate program experience produces positive outcomes for students (Parks-Leduc et al., 2018). After a successful two-year run with support from an internal grant, students in a retailing program at a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) are continuing to engage with a professional association in unique ways. Initially, this internal grant was established to further enhance the relationship between university students and the professional association by developing an internal mentorship program. By the completion of the two-year mentorship program, undergraduate students were so passionate about continuing this experience that they collaborated to officially establish a registered student organization on campus. This experience of students collaborating with a professional association, building out their on-campus student organization, and aiding in the professional development of their classmates demonstrates a unique application for other undergraduate retail/fashion/design programs to adopt, regardless of whichever potential barriers may exist.

Keywords: professional association, trade association, student engagement, undergraduate, pedagogy, professional development

How to Cite:

Mudd, B. & Stewart, B., (2025) “Utilizing A Professional Trade Association for Undergraduate Student Engagement”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18875

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Published on
2025-01-18

Peer Reviewed