Meet the Newest Members of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council
Six recent graduates will continue to build on their lifelong commitment to the Wilson College of Textiles through their leadership and philanthropic involvement in their new roles as members of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council.
They may have crossed the graduation stage, but their Wolfpack spirit never slowed down.
Six recent graduates took a purposeful step to maintain their connection to their alma mater, the Wilson College of Textiles, as the newest members of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council (DYALC).
Created to harness the insight and energy of young professionals, the DYALC brings together alumni under the age of 40 who offer leadership and perspective on alumni engagement and philanthropy. Members work closely with David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles and Cone Mills Distinguished Professor of Textile Chemistry, and the North Carolina Textile Foundation (NCTF) team. Additionally, they work alongside two student representatives who help ensure current student voices remain central.
First envisioned by Hinks and Michael Ward, the NCTF’s executive director, the council provides a pathway for recent graduates to stay connected, give back and help shape the future of the Wilson College of Textiles.
Since its founding, the DYALC has launched initiatives that help young alumni feel informed, involved and inspired to participate. Key programs include:
Their leadership has also strengthened the college’s philanthropic culture. Thanks in part to the council’s outreach and advocacy, the NCTF has increased the number of donors under age 40 by 80%, fueled by strong participation in NC State’s Day of Giving and contributions to endowed scholarships and programs.
Meet the Newest DYALC Members
This fall, six new Wilson College graduates have been named members of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council.
Meredith Gaskill ’24
- B.S. Fashion and Textile Management, Brand Management and Marketing Concentration, 2024; Master of Textiles, 2024
- Corporate Communications Coordinator at Kontoor Brands
Meredith Gaskill discovered the perfect blend of fashion, business and marketing at the Wilson College of Textiles, where she pursued both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As a dual Park Scholar and Centennial Scholar, she immersed herself fully in campus life as president of the Tompkins Textile Student Council, a member of the TATM Student Advisory Board and a Wilson College ambassador. Her semester abroad in Florence, Italy, further strengthened her passion for the global fashion industry. Today, she applies her branding and communications expertise as a corporate communications coordinator at Kontoor Brands, where she supports iconic labels such as Wrangler, Lee and Helly Hansen.
Claire Henson ’22, ’23
- B.S. Textile Engineering, 2022; M.S. Textile Engineering, 2023
- Material Developer at Under Armour
Claire Henson knew from her very first visit that the Wilson College of Textiles was where she belonged. As a Centennial Scholar, she embraced every opportunity the college offered, from studying abroad in Australia to serving as president of the Greater Good Textile Group. Her involvement in activities such as the NC State Choir and the college’s sustainability initiatives helped her build confidence, communication skills and a passion for making a positive impact. After earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the college, Henson launched her career as a material developer at Under Armour, where she now works across apparel and accessories for both inline and innovation teams.
Lily McGrath ’24
- B.S. Fashion and Textile Management, Brand Management and Marketing Concentration, 2024
- Sample Coordinator at Tuckernuck
Lily McGrath arrived at the Wilson College of Textiles seeking an interdisciplinary program that combined fashion, business and technical expertise, and she found the perfect fit. As a recipient of the W. Duke Kimbrell Scholarship, she excelled academically while taking on leadership roles as a student government senator, chapter president of her sorority and a student office assistant for the North Carolina Textile Foundation. These experiences connected her to the campus community and strengthened her interest in brand management and marketing. After graduating in 2024, McGrath began her career as a sample coordinator at Tuckernuck in Washington, D.C., where she draws on her understanding of textile technology and global brand strategy.
Max Ring ’23
- B.S. Textile Engineering, 2023
- Account Manager at Everra
Max Ring combined his strengths in math and science with a lifelong passion for Wolfpack Athletics to forge a path in textile engineering at the Wilson College of Textiles. As a Dickson Foundation Scholar, he immersed himself in academic and extracurricular opportunities, including research roles at The Nonwovens Institute and participation in the University Honors Program. His leadership in the Textile Technology and Engineering Society and the Greater Good Textile Group helped shape his professional interests and broaden his network within the college. After graduating in 2023, Ring began his career as an account manager at Everra, formerly Stein Fibers, where he draws daily on the fiber science and manufacturing knowledge he gained at the Wilson College.
Kaylee Smith Wagner ’17
- B.S. Textile Engineering, 2017
- Senior Account Manager at Lear Corporation
Kaylee Smith Wagner’s connection to NC State began in infancy, long before she knew she would one day become a Wilson College of Textiles graduate. After discovering the global impact of the textile industry during a high school visit, she chose to pursue textile engineering and quickly found her place in the college’s close-knit community. She balanced a rigorous academic workload with a standout athletic career on NC State’s cheerleading team, where she helped capture both the Stunt Group and Division One Small Coed National Championships in 2016. Today, Wagner uses her understanding of fabric performance and product development as a senior account manager at Lear Corporation.
Helen Wilson ’15
- B.S. Textile Engineering, 2015
- Material Developer at Workwear Outfitters
Helen Wilson discovered her passion for textiles after a high school presentation introduced her to the wide-ranging opportunities within the industry. Once on campus, she was drawn to the Wilson College’s small class sizes and hands-on approach. She found community through the NC State Marching Band, Pep Band and campus ministry Cru, and she also gained valuable experience working as an event coordinator in Carmichael Gym. After graduating, she began her career as a quality assurance engineer at Renfro Brands before advancing into a product and operations analyst role at Cone Denim. Today, she serves as a material developer at Workwear Outfitters, where she applies the technical foundation she built at the college.
To learn more about each member of the Dean’s Young Alumni Leadership Council, click here.
- Categories:
