DYALC Welcomes New Leadership and New Members

By Tim Creedon

The Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council (DYALC) was established in 2017 by Chad Seastrunk ’04 ’05 and Mike Ferguson ’04 to represent the young alumni of the Wilson College of Textiles. As the first co-presidents of the DYALC, they have led the council in building a strong network of young alumni who are excited to give back to the Wilson community through the council’s four committees: Communication, Awards, Recruitment and Events. Through their leadership and commitment, they have brought  together current undergraduate and graduate students with recent graduates for  volunteering, mentoring  a newly launched mentorship program and philanthropy initiatives. 

As Seastrunk and Ferguson pass the baton to their successors this fall, we offer our deep gratitude to both for their hard work and dedication these last three years. At the same time, we extend our congratulations to our new DYALC co-presidents, Caitlyn Holt ’12 ’13 and Rede Wilson ’16 and our six new council members as they continue our momentum and take the DYALC to the next level.  Read more about the newest DYALC members below.

If you are an alumnus or alumna of the Wilson College of Textiles and are interested in serving on the DYALC, please contact Tim Creedon at dacreedo@ncsu.edu.

Welcome New Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council Members

Brooke Anderson

Degree: B.S. textile engineering ’17

Hometown: Denver, NC

Current City: Portland, OR

Profession: Material Developer, Nike

Council Position: Communication Committee Member

How did the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for your career?

The NC State Wilson College of Textiles educates students on fundamental textile knowledge paired with excellent networking skills. Not only do you learn valuable skills including project management and textile problem-solving, but you learn how to market your strongest skills to employers upon entering the industry. The small family-like classroom setting provides a support system of peers, professors and staff members who support you well beyond your time at the college. Having a degree from a top textile program in the world speaks for itself, but it is the unique perspective you bring to a company that makes you stand out. The diversity of the Textile Engineering program exposed me to everything from raw material manufacturing to innovative product marketing  With that foundation and the encouragement from my mentors at the college, I was able to successfully land a job at my dream company. I am forever grateful for the education I received at the Wilson College of Textiles that enabled me to find my passion in my career daily.

What does it mean to be a member of the DYALC?

The DYALC is composed of passionate individuals from across the United States who come together to elevate the engagement and performance of the Wilson College of Textiles. The college changed my life by igniting a passion for the textile industry and providing me with the top resources in the world to impact the future of the industry. Those resources are the people and network that support the Wilson College of Textiles. By serving on the DYALC, I will be a key leader in that network. I have always loved inspiring young students to pursue a degree at the Wilson College, and being on the council will elevate the number of students I can reach. It was the students at the Wilson College of Textiles in January 2013 who changed my life by convincing me to join the college, and I want to be a part of inspiring others the way I was inspired. The college will always be my home, and I am passionate about sharing that connection with alumni, current students, staff, Dean Hinks and other leaders on the council. It is an incredible honor to serve and give back in this manner.

What do you see in the future for the Wilson College of Textiles?

The Wilson College of Textiles has always been a place that leads innovation and inspires creativity. I know the college will continue to grow in terms of new lab equipment, hands-on classroom settings for students and research projects partnered with influential companies in the textile industry. With the growth of technology and demand for online shopping, I see the college adapting to teach how to target a new type of consumer. Portraying how a fabric feels via a virtual setting will be the next big thing. I am also extremely excited to see the impact of the Pioneer Scholarship program, bringing in added diversity of students interested in textiles from non-metropolitan North Carolina areas. Those students will have the opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to impact the future of the college. Seeing the new talent that comes from the college every year is inspiring, and it introduces a whole new group of leaders into the textile industry.

Katelyn Bell

Degree: B.S. fashion and textile management ’13, M.S. textiles ’15

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Current City: Durham, NC

Profession: Product Launch Specialist, Trivantage

Council Position: Communication Committee Member

How did the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for your career?

The Wilson College of Textiles and its professors are directly responsible for my career. My education and the relationships that were cultivated during my six years at the Wilson College afforded me the ability to explore many different options when starting out. Ultimately, the recommendation of a professor and the known reputation of the college landed me my first job at Glen Raven Inc. My education taught me skills that I have carried with me throughout the last five years and will continue to carry in the future

What does it mean to be a member of the DYALC?

I’m passionate about all things Wolfpack and textiles. Being a member of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council means so much to me. This university and college have given me so much and I’m excited for the opportunity to give back and continue to foster relationships.

What do you see in the future for the Wilson College of Textiles?

I believe the Wilson College of Textiles will continue to grow, leading in innovation and technology. The college continually challenges the status quo, demanding more of itself, its faculty and students. I’m excited to see how the college evolves as it has already changed so much since I was a student.

Morgan Besterman

Degree: B.S. textile technology, Bachelor of Art + Design ’15 (Anni Albers Scholar)

Hometown: Statesville, NC

Current City: Mebane, NC

Profession: Designer, Adidas Kids License, LT Apparel Group

Council Position: Recruitment Committee Member

How did the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for your career?

One of the most formative ways in which the Wilson College of Textiles prepared me for my career was the variety of courses I took as a Textile Technology major. An understanding of dyeing and printing processes, garment construction, fabrics and the global supply chain are crucial to my role as a children’s apparel designer today. Each season’s collection requires cross-functional collaboration between many departments, including design, sales and merchandising, just to name a few. The group projects that were so prevalent in the College of Textiles taught me how to recognize teammates’ strengths and to identify the steps needed to bring a project to completion by a deadline.

I was encouraged by professors early on to seek out internships so that I could explore various career paths and begin to build my professional identity before graduation day. My summer internships at Ralph Lauren were invaluable in learning how to design products for a variety of markets within a global brand.

What does it mean to be a member of the DYALC?

Our alumni network has tremendous value, as career paths in the Wilson College of Textiles span a wide variety of industries. I am honored to help carry out the council’s mission to strengthen alumni engagement and relationships with industry leaders. These relationships and partnerships have benefited me in many ways over the past ten years, so I am eager to serve in the council to ensure that future students and alumni may benefit from them as well!

What do you see in the future for the Wilson College of Textiles?

I see the Wilson College of Textiles continuing to meet our industry’s challenges with innovation and leadership. The college’s long standing focus on industry partnerships, research and creative thinking ensures that its graduates will be able to confidently respond to our world’s demands.

Jessica Couch

Degree: B.S. fashion and textile management ’10

Hometown: Durham, NC

Current City: New York, NC

Profession: Founder, Luxor & Finch

Council Position: Events Committee Member

How did the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for your career?

The experience of having access to all of the machines in the supply chain helped me to have a broader scope of the industry and understand the potential for innovation. Being able to have a full and immersive experience around design, using the body scanner and, the cutting machines, and having the ability to print and knit fabrics all in the same space provided a unique foundation for my ability to see into the future of our industry and provide solutions.

What does it mean to be a member of the DYALC?

I am excited to be a member of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council. The fashion industry is changing rapidly and I believe the Wilson College of Textiles can remain a leader in the textiles industry by utilizing the wealth of alumni across the world. I am excited to be a member of the council and contribute my network, knowledge and  expertise to the college as well as create opportunities for students.

What do you see in the future for the Wilson College of Textiles?

I see the Wilson College of Textiles as a leader of the future of retail, supply chain and innovation for the fashion industry.

Brenda Haitema

Degree: B.S. polymer and color chemistry (PCC) ’09

Hometown: Wilson, NC

Current City: Hong Kong

Profession: Head of Asia Operations & Sales, First Mile

Council Position: Awards Committee Member

How did the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for your career?

My PCC degree taught me how to think critically and systematically approach a problem which has served me well. Furthermore, I’m now working in the recycling industry which is all about polymers!

What does it mean to be a member of the DYALC?

As I’ve grown in my professional life, I appreciate more and more how well the Wilson College of Textiles prepared me for a career in textiles. As part of that appreciation I’d like to give back to the college and its current and future students. The DYALC allows me to do that directly and to create an impact on how to keep preparing students efficiently for a successful career in textiles.

What do you see in the future for the Wilson College of Textiles?

I see the Wilson College of Textiles continuing to prepare students to successfully enter the textile industry – whether in science, design or management. I’d love to see the Wilson College increase its global presence by partnerships with other textile programs across the world.

Matthew Iezzi

Degree: B.S. textile technology ’18; M.S. textile engineering ’19

Hometown: Gastonia, NC

Current City: Los Angeles, CA

Profession: Textile Engineer, Ambercycle

Council Position: Recruitment Committee Member

How did the Wilson College of Textiles prepare you for your career?

From day one the faculty stressed the importance of out-of-classroom involvement and learning that played a major role in leading me to my current role. The hands-on experience in internships and senior design was instrumental for a career in an ever-competitive textile industry. Faculty were truly subject matter experts, and I have routinely called upon them for industry specific technical consulting and career advice and feel comfortable doing so to this day.

What does it mean to be a member of the DYALC?

The domestic textile industry is very tight knit, and alumni are proud to be able to serve as link back to the college from their employers, many of which are large players and value these ties to the college greatly. This council allows me to pay forward the benefits I gained from the college’s culture of prioritizing student success, which clearly pays dividends in training the best and brightest coming out of Wilson College programs.

What do you see in the future for the Wilson College of Textiles?

I see, now more than ever, an industry that recognizes and capitalizes on the value that comes out of the college. From its facilities, research and people; there simply is no better place to go to create the textile products and companies of the future.