With an emphasis on providing a positive student experience, the Wilson College of Textiles has recently made two new associate department head hires. Anne Porterfield became the associate department head of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management (TATM) and Nelson Vinueza Benitez became the associate department head of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science (TECS). 

While their past experiences and their research today look very different from each other, one thing stayed the same. Both of them are overwhelmingly committed to the continued success of their students and colleagues and are willing to help however they can to make that happen. 

TATM Associate Department Head Anne Porterfield 

Porterfield has been a part of the Wilson College since first coming for a master’s degree in 2008, but her path to this moment has been far from linear. She has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from George Washington University and a Master of Fine Arts in costume design from the University of Texas at Austin.

Immediately prior to coming to NC State University, she was costume director for the Carolina Ballet. When collaborating with Wilson College students on some digital printing, she was fascinated by the technology. Her experience otherwise was that the costuming industry was “notoriously handmade.” During that process she got to know Professor Lisa Chapman, who was working on her own Ph.D. at the time and inspired Porterfield to do the same.  

Research and technology 

Porterfield views every day as its own kind of amazing. She doesn’t chase accolades, but is quick to compliment and encourage the work of others.

“My colleagues are doing some really important, impactful research,” she says. “We have undergraduate and graduate programs that are preparing students to really make a difference in the world, and I’m really proud of that.”

Her research focuses on how technology interacts with not only the textiles themselves, but also how students experience apparel technology. Her time in the classroom has shaped her research and captured her imagination on what is possible. 

“Technology anxiety is something that students really experience, and that’s one of the things that drives my research.” 

Ready for the challenge 

From wigmaking and costuming to now serving as associate department head of TATM, Porterfield says, “I’ve done a lot of really interesting jobs in my life, and this is definitely one of them. One of the things I really appreciate about this job is that I was ready for another challenge.”  

TATM Department Head Kristin Thoney-Barletta is excited to have her in the role.

“Anne’s background allows her to approach problems with both creativity and practicality,” Thoney-Barletta says. “She is a conscientious leader who genuinely cares about the well-being of our students and faculty.” 

“It’s a job that’s so steeped in service that it’s not something where I have a specific agenda for how I’m going to impact the department,” Porterfield says. “My ambition is just to be as helpful as I can.” 

TECS Associate Department Head Nelson Vinueza Benitez

When attending chemistry conferences, peers ask why he’s in a college of textiles. Vinueza, however, feels right at home at TECS. 

Originally from Ecuador, he holds bachelor’s degrees in industrial chemistry and chemical engineering from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito as well as a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from Purdue University. He says his background in chemistry prepared him to be hired in the Chancellor’s Faculty Excellence Program cluster in forensic sciences in 2012. 

“We are surrounded by textiles in different ways,” Vinueza says. “It all plays a role in the things we do in our daily lives.” 

Supporting the students above all  

As Vinueza reflects back on different career highlights, he laughs about the time he initially mistook an email about winning Dyers’ Company Research Medal for spam. 

“I have not been pursuing the awards,” says Vinueza, who earned the award for his research on reactive dye degradation. “If they get to you, they get to you, because your work speaks for itself.” 

He was, however, very honored to have received an Outstanding Teacher Award from NC State in 2019. 

“It’s important for me to know that the students can count on me,” Vinueza says. 

He has an open door policy and wants students to know that his office is a safe space. 

“It’s not only about work, work, work. You need to enjoy life too!” 

Future collaborations 

As for his role as an associate department head, he is most interested in the connections and collaborations that he can help develop. 

“Nelson brings a passion to improve the quality of our work in terms of education, research, and innovation,” TECS Department Head Emiel DenHartog says. “Our focus on continuous improvement will be shared by him and thus allow us to collaborate well across colleagues within and outside the department.” 

“I really am open for collaborations and helping faculty – and especially junior faculty – to be successful,” says Vinueza, who recently started a pilot program for professors to share their research and work with graduate students and colleagues alike. “If it is in my hands, if I am able to help, I will do it.”