Cal State Long Beach Fashion Design Professor Named 'Educator of the Year' by ITAA, Apparel Magazine

Hazel Jackson, a professor in the Family and Consumer Science Department at California State University, Long Beach, has been awarded the 2003 ITAA/Bobbin Educator of the Year, a joint honor given by the International Textiles and Apparel Association (ITAA) and Apparel magazine.

As a result of the award, Jackson is featured in this month’s issue of Apparel magazine as one of its 10 All-Star Award Winners for 2003. The annual Apparel All-Star Awards program recognizes 10 of the most progressive firms and people in the apparel, retail and soft good business.

“This is a highly coveted award in the association, and I was very surprised to receive it,” said Jackson, a faculty member at Cal State Long Beach since 1994. “Only one faculty member is selected each year, and the remaining All-Star Awards go to industry firms. So, it truly is an honor to be the only individual singled out in this awards program.”

Bobbin, which Apparel magazine used to be known as, established the Educator of the Year award to annually recognize a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions through teaching/curriculum, research or service. Recipients must demonstrate exemplary and innovative contributions in teaching/curricular development, research or service activities in the textile and apparel field; have a record of distinguished contributions to the textile/apparel field over a period of time; and have fostered a positive image of the textile and apparel industry to students and has encouraged students to consider employment in the industry.

With a focus on fashion design and merchandising, Jackson was credited in the magazine with delivering “the world” to students in many different ways as she strives to ensure her students are ready to hit the ground running in the apparel business when they exit with their diplomas.

“My colleagues at Cal State Long Beach and I feel that we must keep current on developments in the field and help students learn ways of maintaining currency,” said Jackson, a faculty member at CSULB since 1994. “We also believe we must work closely with our advisory board and others in the industry to assure that we are giving the kinds of assignments and projects that are realistic as to how the industry operates.”
Jackson and the magazine also noted that the professor takes great pleasure in mentoring students on the finer points that need attention in order to really excel as young graduates.

In addition to being featured in Apparel’s December issue, the All-Star Award winners were recently honored at the Apparel All-Star Awards Reception and Dinner at the Sheraton Capital Center Hotel in Releigh, N.C. The dinner followed Apparel’s Tech Conference 2003, an all-day event featuring presentations and demonstrations of the latest in apparel solutions.

Jackson received her bachelor’s of science degree in home economics education from Tennessee State University, her master’s degree in the social psychological aspects of clothing from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. in interdisciplinary studies (clothing and textiles, consumer studies and sociology) from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

Media Contacts: Rick Gloady, 562/985-5454, rgloady@csulb.edu
Shayne Schroeder, 562/985-1727, schroede@csulb.edu