As a lover of fashion, business and marketing, Meredith Gaskill ’24 was blown away by the opportunity to combine her interests into one degree at her dream school.

That’s what motivated her to attend NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles and major in fashion and textile management with a concentration in brand management and marketing. She went on to earn not one but two degrees in less than five years, thanks to the college’s Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program.

Gaskill decided to attend the Wilson College of Textiles because of the numerous opportunities it presented. Her Park Scholarship and Centennial Scholarship were used during her time at NC State to make her education even more affordable. 

Since graduating in 2024 with her bachelor’s degree and a Master of Textiles degree, Gaskill has thrived. She now works as a corporate communications coordinator at Kontoor Brands and credits the Wilson College of Textiles with making this possible.

“My education at the Wilson College of Textiles definitely prepared me for my current role,” she says. “I was given insight into the fashion industry, experience and hands-on projects with brands that I’m now working with or watching, along with one-on-one feedback and mentorship with professors and peers.”

Her dedication to her alma mater has continued long after her graduation. This fall, the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council (DYALC) welcomes Gaskill as a new member. The DYALC consists of Wilson College of Textiles graduates under 40 who provide leadership and guidance on alumni engagement and funding for the dean of the Wilson College of Textiles and the North Carolina Textile Foundation (NCTF). Together, the DYALC promotes and supports the NCTF by strengthening relationships among students, alumni, and industry partners to ensure continued engagement among young alumni. 

You can learn more about Gaskill’s journey at the Wilson College of Textiles and beyond in the Q&A below.

Degree: B.S. Fashion and Textile Management, Brand Management and Marketing Concentration, 2024; Master of Textiles, 2024
Job Title: Corporate Communications Coordinator, Kontoor Brands 
Current City: Salisbury, North Carolina
Hometown: Salisbury, North Carolina

Why did you choose NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?

I chose NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles because of the plethora of opportunities, resources and communities on campus. I knew I wanted to study fashion as well as business and marketing, and the Wilson College of Textiles allowed me to study, explore and earn two degrees in less than five years in my areas of interest!

Big-time career experience in the Big Apple:

During her time at the Wilson College of Textiles, Gaskill had many opportunities to make industry connections, including an internship with Macy’s Prestige Cosmetics at their New York City headquarters! Watch her vlog below to see what it was like to live and work in NYC!

What activities were you involved in as an NC State student, and how did they impact your experience?

One of my most pivotal experiences at NC State was being involved in the Park Scholar and Centennial Scholar communities. These spaces allowed me to develop personally, academically and professionally while being surrounded by kind, thoughtful and deeply motivated individuals who supported, uplifted and encouraged me to continually be better. 

I was also involved in the Tompkins Textile Student Council, serving as president my junior year, as well as the TATM Student Advisory Board and the Wilson College of Textiles ambassadors. I also studied abroad in Florence, Italy, for a semester during my sophomore year. That was an experience I will forever cherish and value.

What is your fondest memory as a student at NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles?

My fondest memory as a Wilson College of Textiles student was definitely running down Hillsborough Street to the Memorial Belltower when our basketball team won the ACC Championship in 2024. The sense of community and shared excitement were electric, and I will never ever forget that moment!

Who influenced you most during your time at the Wilson College of Textiles? And why or how?

I was extremely privileged and lucky to have had many people influence me greatly during my time at the Wilson College of Textiles.

Two who stand out as not only influencers, but supporters, and, let’s be honest, icons, are Professor Emeritus Mauren Grasso and Associate Professor Delisia Matthews. I was privileged to have them as advisors and mentors throughout my time at the Wilson College. They both shared valuable life and career advice, as well as always encouraged me to take a leap of faith and believe in myself when I couldn’t quite do it on my own.

How did your education at the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for what you are doing today?

My role is very heavily intertwined with communications and marketing for global brands, including Wrangler, Lee and Helly Hansen, so my marketing and branding background, paired with my business knowledge, created a strong foundation for jumping into this role out of school.

In what ways are you currently involved with the Wilson College of Textiles and NC State?

I am involved through various alumni engagements and with the Park Scholarship alumni community, but I am extremely excited to dive deeper into my Wilson College of Textiles community through the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council.