Three Wilson College of Textiles Faculty Members Earned Promotions in 2021-2022 Academic Year

By Mary Giuffrida

The Wilson College of Textiles is pleased to recognize the promotion of three faculty members effective August 2021. Below, get to know the faculty members and read about their work. 

Associate Professor With Tenure Anne Porterfield

Anne Porterfield began her career as a wig master and costume designer for a nationally recognized theater, eventually going on to earn both her Master of Textiles and Ph.D. in Textile Technology Management at the Wilson College of Textiles. 

Porterfield’s current research is focused on functional apparel products for performing artists, 3-D apparel simulation, digital fabric printing, mass customization of apparel products and non-profit management. Along with using her expertise in 3-D apparel design software to help organizations optimize the prototyping process, she was also one of two Wilson College professors to collaborate in creating the college’s first fashion program for middle school students. The camp is making connections for young students between Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) and the textile industry, fostering the next generation of Wilson College students. 

Associate Professor With Tenure Delisia Matthews

Prior to beginning her work in academia, Delisia Matthews worked in the marketing research and retail industries for companies such as Procter & Gamble, Nordstrom and Walmart Corporate Marketing. She taught consumer behavior, retail merchandising and apparel entrepreneurship courses at Louisiana State University for three years. In 2015 she joined the Wilson College of Textiles faculty, bringing her industry and teaching knowledge to her new role.

Matthews’ research focuses on consumer behavior. She has investigated brand equity, clothing rentals and swaps, eco-friendly apparel, fashion trucks, plus-size consumers, African American consumers and fashion consumer groups. Matthews was the lead author on a study surrounding “Sneakerheads” which explored how sneakers played an important role in participants’ identities, especially African American men who grew up in the 1970s and ’80s. She also facilitates the college’s annual Hemline For Hearts event, which challenges students to create dresses out of paper hearts in honor of Go Red for Women month. 

Professor Emiel DenHartog

Emiel DenHartog’s area of expertise lies in clothing biophysics, personal protection and textile testing. From 1997 to 2013 he worked in various roles as senior scientist, project manager and coordinator of the research and development efforts in personal protective clothing and equipment at TNO Defense, Security and Safety before joining the Wilson College of Textiles in 2013. 

Since joining the Wilson College, he has worked at the Textile Protection And Comfort Center on the interaction of clothing with Human Factors, Safety and Ergonomics. His research focuses on human performance, protection and comfort of military, first responders and other professionals in challenging environments.

More recently, DenHartog was honored as a University Faculty Scholar for his work as an emerging academic leader among NC State’s faculty in the areas of research and scholarship; teaching; and extension, engagement and service.