Emily Carol Eichelberger Blalock, M.S.
Senior Lecturer/ Internship Coordinator
Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors
317Dawson Hall, Athens, Georgia 30602
Phone: 706.542.4884
Email:
EDUCATION
Master of Science, (2006). M.S. in Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors. Emphasis: Fashion Merchandising and African American Studies. Department of Textiles, Merchandising, and Interiors, University of Georgia, Athens, GA. GPA: 3.73 out of 4. Advisor: Jan Hathcote. Master’s thesis: African American College Students’ Perceptions of Professional Dress.
Bachelor of Science, Fashion Merchandising, (Honors, 2004). Minor: Marketing. Department of Fashion Merchandising, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. GPA: 3.4 out of 4. Advisor: Cynthia Easterling. Honors: Dean’s list all semesters, Most Outstanding Junior in Fashion Merchandising, March 2003, Most Outstanding Freshman in Fashion Merchandising, April 2001, University of Southern Mississippi’s Student of the Month, Oct. 2001.
RELATED COURSEWORK
Fashion Merchandising:Retail Management and Strategies, Consumer Behavior, Apparel Trade and International Retailing, Apparel and Textile Testing, Apparel Construction and Evaluation, Apparel Design and Promotion
Marketing: Marketing Principals, Professional Selling, Statistical Methods I & II, Demography and Public Policy
Management: Race and Gender in the Workplace, Organizational Psychology, Supply Chain Management, Human Resource Management
COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Office, WordPerfect, SPSS- statistical software, Endnote 9, Photoshop
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Senior Lecturer, Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors. University of Georgia, Athens, GA.(January 2013 – present) (Lecturer, Fall 2007 – January 2013). (.75 EFT) Teach undergraduate fashion merchandising and textile courses; both professional electives and required core courses. Responsible for creating new courses, substantially revising current courses, and working on search committees and curriculum committees. Actively participate in recruiting new students. Lead or co-supervised the New York Study Tour for three summers. Supervised the Interdisciplinary Ghana Study Tour for threesummers. Co-supervised the China Study Tour for one summer. Offered the first entrepreneurship course in FACS (2010) and developed a FACS Interdisciplinary Certificate in Entrepreneurship (2012).
Internship Coordinator, Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors. University of Georgia, Athens, GA.(Fall 2006- present). Teach undergraduate seminar course (TXMI 5900) and supervise the fashion merchandising internship experience (TXMI 5910). Prepare 70+ students each semester for practical realities of the fashion industry and introduce them to industry professionals. Develop and implement weekly seminars, initiate industry contacts for future internship opportunities, invite industry leaders to participate in discussion panels, revise resumes and cover letters, advise students and aid in finding career opportunities.
Part-time Lecturer, Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors. University of Georgia, Athens, GA. (Fall 2006 – Summer 2007). Educated over 280 students and directed the FM internship program. Taught Textile Testing, using industry ASTM & AATCC equipment, created innovative student projects, and developed a textile testing lab manual which is now adopted by a fellow Textile faculty member.
Graduate Instructor, Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors. University of Georgia, Athens, GA. (Fall 2005 – Spring 2006). Worked under Dr. Helen Epps and supervised the lab of TXMI 3520 Textile Testing. Introduced 31 undergraduate students to the physical analysis of textiles with the goal of teaching students how to evaluate fabric suitability for a specific end use, developed and taught course content, made weekly demonstrations of the proper use of lab equipment, and graded student work and projects.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors. University of Georgia, Athens, GA. (Fall 2004 – Spring 2006). Worked under Dr. Patricia Annis (Fall 04- Spring 05) and Dr. Ian Hardin (Fall 05 – Spring 06) in TXMI 3520 Textile Testing and TXMI 2100 Textiles for Consumers. Assisted in teaching course content for textile labs, prepared equipment for lab use and demonstrated proper use of lab equipment, graded student work and tests, conducted library research, developed and taught course content in lab portion of the class, made weekly demonstrations of the proper use of lab equipment, graded student work and projects.
NEW COURSES DEVELOPED
TXMI 3010 Retail Analysis in Ghana: An Entrepreneurial Case Study. I have the opportunity to co-lead the Interdisciplinary Ghana Study Tour with 4 faculty members from UGA. I introduced a new course that connects female entrepreneurs in the Ghanaian textile trade with female boutique owners in Athens, Georgia. While in Ghana, students get to interact with designers, sewers, carvers, dyers, weavers and artisans in the fashion and retail industries. In preparation, the students are partnered with select boutique owners in Athens. Each student is given money to act as a buyer and source merchandise from Ghana for resale in the boutiques. I call it the Ghana Community Trade Program, which has been financially sponsored by the James Family Foundation for the past three years for a total of $30K. Not only does the program equip the rural women of Ghana to feed their families, but it helps educate the Athens community of the beautiful fashion and culture of West Africa and the importance of fair trade.
TXMI 3010 Directed Study in Social Entrepreneurship. This is a non-traditional service learning class that allows students to work in the community empowering women to succeed professionally and to facilitate research on the trends of social entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. The mission of the class is to better the lives of low income women living in the Rocksprings Public Housing by teaching entrepreneurship workshops, leading skill training exercises in DIY crafts and helping start a non-profit, PALS of Athens Music. In addition, the class focuses on preparing students for non-profit management and entrepreneurship through hands-on activities with PALS and an analytical research paper.
TXMI 5230 Forecasting Trends in Fashion. This is a core course providing an overview of forecasting innovation in fashion, design & merchandising. Students critically analyze color and trend forecasting, design research and concepts, and fabric direction using multi-media and observational primary research. Students apply their knowledge in "hands on" development of a trend boards, blog and portfolio emphasizing concept development, visualization and design presentation.
TXMI 5250 Global Retailing of Apparel & Textiles.This is a core course which enables students to understand the strategies unique to the retail industries of countries around the world. Emphasis is placed on successful retail organizations and structures, merchandising and organization of market resources in apparel and textiles. For the major project students write a retail business plan of internationalization based on the target market and culture of a particular country.
TXMI 5280Retail Entrepreneurship. This is the first entrepreneurship course offered by the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. It prepares students to open a small business and maintain financial success through smart planning, research, and creative merchandising techniques. I teach the students to write business plans, research the market and run a business, Couture a-la-cart, the first store at UGA operated by students selling student designs.
COURSES SUBSTANTIALLY REVISED
TXMI 3210 Fundamentals of Fashion Merchandising. The principle of this course remains the same, but I developed interactive power-point lectures that include current happenings in our world and projects that support the text. Videos, radio broadcasts, student presentations, and speakers have been incorporated to facilitate all types of student learning. The major project changes each semester to include a service learning component. I share my power-point lectures, notes and research with instructors that teach sections of this course.
TXMI 3520 Textile Testing- This course has been taught for years and taught well. I did not rework the logistics of the course, but developed an 88 page full color lab manual. My lab manual bridges the gap between academics and real word situations that students will encounter after graduation. It communicates the principles of textile science in the students’ own language, while applying principles from ASTM & AATCC test methods.
TXMI 3530 Apparel Quality Analysis. I reintroduced the course after a threeyear break; therefore I was able to create the objectives and requirements from scratch (i.e., innovative student projects, lectures, books, and overall course content). In my opinion, this course is the most essential in preparing students for a career in fashion merchandising which was recognized by the faculty after voting to make this a major required course. This class analyzes the functions, characteristics, and applications of fabric, support materials, closures, thread, and trims relative to quality, cost, and performance of apparel.
TXMI 5260 Consumer & Employee Case Studies. I reintroduced the course after a two year break; therefore I was able to create the objectives, lectures, innovative student projects, and readings from scratch. I love this class! The retail environment is constantly evolving which poses great challenges and unique opportunities for retailer managers. Because of the environment of the workplace, students need to be able to think quick and think smart in all situations. The goal is to prepare students the workforce through studying academic theory and applying to real life case studies with local businesses.
TXMI 5900 Internship Orientation. The course is offered every fall semester. It is my mission to educate the students on career paths within the fashion industry by inviting industry leaders to share their experiences. Since teaching, I have invited well over 100industry leaders from the Atlanta Metro to share their experiences with the students. These influential business men & women inform the students on what it takes to succeed in today’s business world and provide them with internship/ career opportunities. In addition, I instruct the class on resumes, cover letters, interviewing tips, professional dress and professionalism at work.
PUBLICATIONS
Smith, B., Lowe, T., Hunt-Hurst, P., Okech, D., & Blalock, E.(2013). The Lifeline Street Girls Project: A Case Study of Workforce Education Programs, A Poverty Reduction Strategy.International Education, 43(1), 50-64.
Blalock, E.(2011, October 17). Material lessons.COLUMNS, 39(12).
Blalock, E. (Fall 2011). Marketplace lessons. FACS Magazine.
PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & GUEST LECTURES
APERO Brown Bag Speaker Series, Guest Lecturer, “Micro Business and Entrepreneurship Training in Rural Burkina Faso.” February 19, 2014
UGA Academic Life Faculty Panel, Freshman Recruitment Series, Nominated asFaculty Participant, October 2013
Lambert High School, Guest Lecturer for Entrepreneurship Department, “Social Entrepreneurship in West Africa.” October 2013.
Terry College of Business Women in Entrepreneurship Speaker Series, Panel Participant, November 2012
Piedmont College, Guest Lecturer for Anthropology Department, “See For Yourself Ghana Community Trade Program Seminar.”August 2012
Athens Technical Institution,Get REAL About Entrepreneurship Conference. Guest Speaker“Entrepreneurship at UGA.” April 18, 2012
Kappa Alpha Theta Educational Speaker Series, Women in BusinessSeminar Presentation, March 2012
TXMI 2000. Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences; Professional Dress Seminar, every semester, fall 2006 – 2013
TXMI 2000. Introduction to Family and Consumer Sciences; TMI Internships and Careers Seminar, every semester, fall 2006 – present
CFD 5900. Child and Family Development Internship Orientation; Professional Image: Fix up look sharp, November 2011
Women in Business, Career Networking Gala & Fashion Show, Professional Dress Seminar, March 2011
Society of Women Engineers,Workforce Seminar, Professionalism at Work, October 2010
HACE 5900. Housing & Consumer Economics Internship Orientation; Professional Image: Fix up look sharp , September 2009
TXMI 2100. Introduction to Textiles and Merchandising; Fashion Industry Trends Seminar, fall 2007
TXMI 5901. Furnishings and Interiors Professional Development Seminar; Maintaining a Professional Image Seminar, Spring 2007, 2009, 2010
FACS Summer College; Fix Up, Look Sharp: Professional Dress Seminar, June 7, 2007
AWARDS FOR TEACHING/ADVISING
Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors Teacher of the Year Nominee, 2006 – present
Sigma Kappa Sorority, annual faculty appreciation dinner-date, fall 2013
UGA Career Center, Career Development Award, May 2012/May 2013/ December 2013
Junior League of Athens, Community Service Award Nominee, 2012
Alpha Chi Omega, Outstanding Professor Honoree, March 2012
Family and Consumer Sciences Creswell Alumni Award, 2011/2012
Young Dawgs Employer of the Year, 2011
University of Georgia, Advisor of the Year, 2011
Family and Consumer Sciences, OutstandingAdvisor of the Year, 2010
Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors, Advisor of the Year, 2010
Textiles, Merchandising & Interiors, Teacher of the Year, 2008
Sigma Delta Ta Sorority, faculty appreciation coffee day, spring & fall 2008
Sigma Delta Ta Sorority, annual faculty appreciation dinner-date, fall 2006
EFFECTIVENESS SHOWN BY STUDENT EVALUATIONS (since 2006)
Semester / TXMI Course # / Name of Course / Enrollment / Mean ScoreF / 2013 / 3210 / Fundamentals of Fashion Industry / 50 / 4.75
F / 2013 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 35 / 4.72
F / 2013 / 5230 / Fashion Forecasting / 50 / 4.70
F / 2013 / 5900 / Internship Orientation / 78 / 4.32
SP / 2013 / 3210 / Fundamentals of Fashion Industry / 50 / 4.75
SP / 2013 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 35 / 4.81
SP / 2013 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 50 / 4.66
SP / 2013 / 5280 / Retail Entrepreneurship / 17 / 4.58
F / 2012 / 3210 / Fundamentals of Fashion Industry / 38 / 4.69
F / 2012 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 36 / 4.79
F / 2012 / 5260 / Consumer & Employee Case Studies / 23 / 4.81
F / 2012 / 5900 / Internship Orientation / 81 / 4.74
SU / 2012 / 3010 / Retail Development in Ghana / 7 / *
SU / 2012 / 5910 / FM Internship Experience / 32 / *
SP / 2012 / 3210 / Fundamentals of Fashion Industry / 41 / 4.57
SP / 2012 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 30 / 4.75
SP / 2012 / 5280 / Retail Entrepreneurship / 17 / 5.00
SP / 2012 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 53 / 4.87
F / 2011 / 3210 / Fundamentals of FM / 32 / 4.7
F / 2011 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 17 / 4.9
F / 2011 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 29 / 4.8
F / 2011 / 5900 / Internship Orientation / 60 / 4.7
SU / 2011 / 3010 / Retail Development in Ghana / 6 / *
SU / 2011 / 5910 / Internship Orientation / 39 / *
SP / 2011 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 17 / 4.5
SP / 2011 / 5280 / Retail Entrepreneurship / 17 / 4.8
SP / 2011 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 34 / 4.6
SP / 2011 / 5260 / Consumer & Employee Case Studies / 17 / 4.8
F / 2010 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the FM / 60 / 4.4
F / 2010 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 15 / 4.9
F / 2010 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 37 / 4.8
F / 2010 / 5900 / Internship Orientation / 60 / 4.8
SU / 2010 / 5910 / FM Internship / 40 / *
SP / 2010 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry / 42 / 4.6
SP / 2010 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 15 / 4.9
SP / 2010 / 5280 / Retail Entrepreneurship / 15 / 4.9
SP / 2010 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 41 / 4.7
F / 2009 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry / 37 / 4.8
F / 2009 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 46 / 4.8
F / 2009 / 5260 / Consumer & Employee Case Studies / 20 / 4.9
F / 2009 / 5900 / Internship Orientation / 96 / 4.7
SU / 2009 / 5710 / New York Study Tour / 24 / *
SU / 2009 / 5910 / FM Internship / 32 / *
SP / 2009 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry / 37 / 4.6
SP / 2009 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 25 / 4.6
SP / 2009 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 61 / 4.5
SP / 2009 / 5260 / Consumer & Employee Case Studies / 17 / 4.6
F / 2008 / 3520 / Textile Testing / 34 / 4.6
F / 2008 / 5250 / Global Retailing / 50 / 4.6
F / 2008 / 5900 / Internship Orientation / 88 / 4.8
F / 2008 / 5910 / FM Internship / 4 / *
SU / 2008 / 5910 / FM Internship / 41 / *
SP / 2008 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry / 28 / 4.8
SP / 2008 / 3530 / Apparel Quality Analysis / 35 / 4.6
SP / 2008 / 5260 / Consumer & Employee Case Studies / 28 / 4.8
F / 2007 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry / 40 / 4.8
F / 2007 / 3520 / Textile Testing / 41 / 4.9
F / 2007 / 5900 / Internship Orientation / 75 / 4.5
F / 2007 / 5910 / FM Internship / 8 / *
SU / 2007 / 5910 / FM Internship / 44 / *
SP / 2007 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry / 31 / 4.6
SP / 2007 / 3520 / Textile Testing / 29 / 4.7
F / 2006 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry / 28 / 4.6
F / 2006 / 3210 / Fundamentals of the Fashion Industry / 68 / 4.4
F / 2006 / 5900 / Internship Orientation / 78 / 4.6
*Course evaluations not taken in internship/ off campus research classes
**Department doesn’t evaluate student participation in study tours
***Current classes; evaluations taken at end of semester
UNDERGRADUATE DIRECTED RESEARCH PROJECTS
Fall 2013
TXMI3010, supervised 1 student, Directed Research in Social Entrepreneurship. Service learning project with local nonprofit, PALS of Athens Musicians. Lead a micro business sewing workshop for five hours each Monday for women living in public housing (3 credit hours).
TXMI3010, supervised 1 student, FM Internship in NYC (6 credit hours).
Summer 2013
TXMI3010, supervised 8 students in Ghana, West Africa, Retail Development in Ghana: An Entrepreneurial Case Study. Facilitated students in product development and marketing of collections for the Ghana Community Trade Program.
Spring 2013
TXMI3910, supervised 2 students, FM Internship Practicum Project (1 credit hour).
Fall 2012
TXMI3010, supervised 3 students, Directed Research in Social Entrepreneurship. Service learning project with local nonprofit, PALS. Taught a 42 hour “creativity in entrepreneurship” workshop with low income women living in Athens (3 credit hours).
TXMI3910, supervised 2 students, FM Internship Practicum Project (1 credit hour).
Summer 2012
TXMI3010, supervised 7 students in Ghana, West Africa, Retail Development in Ghana: An Entrepreneurial Case Study. Facilitated students in product development and marketing of collections for the Ghana Community Trade Program.
Spring 2012
TXMI 3910, supervised 1 student, FM Internship Practicum Project (1 credit hour).
Fall 2010
TXMI 3010, supervised 1 student, FM Internship Project (6 credit Hours).
Spring 2010
TXMI 3010, supervised 2 students, FM Internship Project (6 credit Hours).
TXMI 3010, supervised 1 student, Directed Study in Textiles, Merchandising, and Interiors with a focus on Apparel Quality: the Relationship between Nonwovens and the Women’s Liberation Movement. Student: Katie Deray
Fall 2009
TXMI 5710, supervised 24 students, New York City Fashion Study Tour (3 credit Hours).
TXMI 3010, supervised 1 student, FM Internship Project (6 credit Hours).
Spring 2009
TXMI 3010, supervised 2 students, FM Internship Project (6 credit hours)
TXMI 3010H, Honors Thesis; The Relationship Between Interior Design & Fashion Design. Honors Student: Katie Crider
Fall 2008
TXMI 3010, advised 4 students, FM Internship Project (6 credit hours)
TXMI 3520, Honors Research Project in Textile Testing; The Relationship between Interior Design & Fashion Design. Student: Katie Crider
Spring 2008
TXMI 3010, supervised 1 student, FM Internship Project (6 credit hours), and 1 student in a directed study in TMI with a focus on Twenty-First Century Designers’ interpretation of Women: Feminine & Powerful. (3 credit hours) Student: Princess Crumpton
Fall 2007
TXMI 3210, Honors Research Project in Textiles, Merchandising, and Interiors with a focus on Media’s Relationship with American Health & Fashion: A Content Analysis. Student: Kaki Read
Summer 2007
TXMI 3010, Directed Study in TMI (2 credit hours). Student: Katie Foushee
Spring 2007
TXMI 3010, Directed Study in TMI with a focus on Media’s Relationship with American Fashion: 20th Century to Present (3 credit hours). Student: Kristine Cholakian
INTERNSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Invited industry leaders to share their professional experiences. (2006 – Present)
Abercrombie & Fitch. Speaker: Ty Griffin, SE Campus Recruiter
Accessories a go-go. Speaker: Carmelita Marcia, Founder & CEO
Agora. Speaker: Airee Hong, Owner & Manager
Alumni Hall. Speaker: Derek Dust, Director of Stores
Athens First Bank & Trust. Speaker: Derek, VP of Small Business Accounts
Atlanta Falcons. Speaker: Angela Bostick, Manager of Retail Marketing and Merchandise
Altanta Falcons. Speaker: Danny Branch, VP of Information Technology & Store Development
Belk of Athens. Speaker: Julia Shelton, Area Sales Manager
Bella Bridesmaid of Atlanta. Speaker: Mandi Jackson, Franchise Owner and Manager
Bill Dabney Showroom, Americasmart. Speaker: Bill Dabney, Owner and Sales Rep
Blonde Boutique. Speaker: Brandy Chandler, Owner & Manager
Boxercraft Inc. Speaker: Luiza Raposo, Marketing Manager
Boxercraft Inc. Speaker: Liz Poulin, Product Development Manager
Boxercraft Inc. Speaker: Jamie Henry, Product Development Manager
Buckle of Atlanta. Speaker: Todd Singleton, Regional Manager
CareerCenter. Speaker: Holly Getchel, Director of UGACareer Center
Carter’s Inc. Speaker: Justine Shan, Assistant Buyer
Cheeky Peach. Speaker: Katie Jacobs, Entrepreneur & Manager
Chico’s FAS Inc. Speaker: Leah Limano, College Recruiter
Chico’s FAS Inc. Speaker: Kristen Bruchey, Assistant Merchandiser