NC State Student Day In the Life: Maylan Maxwell
Fashion and textile management student Maylan Maxwell reflects on her workload, classes and studying abroad, and gives advice for students looking to join the Wilson College.
- Hometown: Shelby, North Carolina
- Intended Graduation Year: 2027
- Program: B.S. Fashion and Textile Management (Concentration: Fashion Development and Product Management)
- Minors: Business Administration and Global Leadership
Maxwell’s Wednesday Schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:15-11:30 a.m. | FTM 385 – Fashion and the Consumer |
| 1:55-3:45 p.m. | FTM 318 – Fashion Development Processes (LAB) |
| 4:30-5:20 p.m. | FTM 318 – Fashion Development Processes (LECTURE) |
| 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Gentle Yoga at Carmichael Gym |
A Centennial Scholar and ambassador for the Wilson College of Textiles, Maylan Maxwell balances wellness, career prospects, academics and a social life on a daily basis. She loves to stay involved with student life and research in the tightly-knit Wilson College community, expanding her horizons by connecting with faculty and taking advantage of every opportunity.
“With Wilson specifically, since we are a smaller college, there are a lot more opportunities for all students to get involved, like working in the lab or doing research. And you get those closer bonds with faculty, which allow you to get more immersed and connected with what’s happening here,” Maxwell says.
Every incoming student should get involved however they can, Maxwell says, to make the most of their time at NC State. Read Maxwell’s thoughts on her college experience so far to get a sense of the everyday life of a student in the Wilson College.
What led you to be passionate or interested in your area of study?
I have always really liked to sew. My mom taught me how. It was just a hobby and creative outlet in middle school and high school.
I didn’t even really know that fashion was an option at NC State, but I learned about it at a college fair and I immediately knew that this was something I’d be interested in. It involves that creative hobby I’ve always had and is really special to me.
I’ve also always been interested in business, so fashion and textile management specifically blends those two things. It’s a major that allows me to be creative with something I’m really passionate about while also integrating that more analytical, data-driven business side. I think it works really well for me.
What has your academic experience been like at the Wilson College?
NC State was definitely one of my top choices. My mom went here, so I grew up being a NC State fan, coming to games and being around campus, even though I’m from Shelby, North Carolina. Learning more specifically about the degree programs offered at Wilson ended up solidifying that decision.
It’s been a great balance of making and creating in the studios during my textile design and product development classes, and also building a technical background through my fiber science and color chemistry courses. And then, of course, the business classes that I’ve taken through the Poole College of Management have been really great.
I always feel engaged in my classes. There’s always something that I’m interested in learning. Going to class doesn’t feel like a chore because I’m very interested in the subject material.
How do you get to class?
It was definitely nice during my first two years to live on campus and feel like I was in the middle of the hustle and bustle. But I think it is nice, as I’ve gone through my junior year, to be a little bit further away. My apartment is about a five minute drive from Centennial Campus and I have my own car, so it’s no big deal. Don’t let the commute scare you at all because it’s pretty easy.
How big are your classes?
For the more general core classes that everyone in the college takes, that’s going to be closer to 100. Some of the more general fashion business classes can be on the bigger side, but I would say on average I’ve had 30 people in each class.
It was kind of scary transitioning into NC State from a small high school. But it’s great because you have that Wilson community that’s a lot tighter knit. The professors are very warm,engaging and easy to approach. So, even if you’re in a big class of about 80 or 100 people, you still feel like you can get those one-on-one relationships with professors.
What on-campus wellness resources do you use?
I especially love to take the fitness classes at Carmichael Gym. I like to go to the cycling and Pilates classes because for me, it’s a lot easier to stick to a schedule when I have a class to go to or someone to hold me accountable and go with me. So that helps me to stay active.
What extracurriculars do you participate in?
Within the Wilson College of Textiles, I’m part of the Phi Psi textiles fraternity. It focuses on networking and expanding our interest and involvement in textiles. It’s also a social club as well. I’m also a member of the National Retail Federation, which is a club that’s more focused on professional development within the retail industry.
I am also an ambassador for the Wilson College and give campus tours. It’s really cool to show the lab spaces to prospective students and their families.
What’s your favorite place to study on campus?
I love 321 Coffee. That’s one of my favorite spots on Centennial Campus. First of all, I think their coffee is one of my favorite cups of coffee in the Raleigh area. So it’s great that in between classes, you can just walk over with friends and grab a cup of coffee. Second, there’s a lot of study space and outdoor tables and seating, so I love to go over there and work.
What’s the coolest opportunity you’ve had on campus?
This spring I will be completing my global leadership minor abroad. Textiles is a very global industry, so learning more about global leadership and global business strategies works perfectly with my major. I will be taking one textiles class while I’m abroad that’s taught by one of our faculty, Strategic Planning and Decision Making in the Textile and Fashion Industries. It’s actually part of the curriculum, so everybody who does the global leadership minor takes that class, which is pretty cool.
I think it’ll be really neat to get to see how the industry is different depending on where you are or who you’re learning from. We’re going to be starting at the NC State Prague Center and then we’re going to Glasgow, Scotland and Nice, France. So I’m super excited.
Fellowship Abroad
This video, made by Lainey Volz (FTD-FD ’26), details her and Maxwell’s trip to Japan in May 2025 with Caldwell Fellows.
What would you say to incoming students interested in fashion and textile management?
Within Wilson, with it being a smaller college, there are a lot of opportunities to get on-campus jobs and internships, go to conferences, do research with faculty or even study abroad. And it’s important to remember there are a lot of opportunities to get funding or support.
One of the really great things about the Wilson College and this major is you have so many opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. The faculty are always trying to find different ways to get students engaged and help them build skills that will be really helpful for working in the industry after graduation. I would definitely say try and take advantage of as much of that as you can. Of course, be mindful not to overburden yourself. But definitely find some organizations to join or become an ambassador because it will open so many doors for so many cool opportunities and help you meet so many people.
- Categories:
