Sandy Bailey, an assistant professor in the School of Construction, Design and Project Management at Missouri State University, has been instrumental in transforming the university’s fashion design program by integrating 3D technology into the curriculum.

Despite her industry-focused background and initial reluctance to pursue academia, Bailey has spent 24 years at Missouri State, teaching 22 different classes. Recognizing the gap between industry demands and traditional education, she initiated a comprehensive overhaul of the fashion design program to better equip students with the skills needed for modern careers.

This effort included selecting new software, redesigning course structures and collaborating with industry professionals to ensure the curriculum aligned with real-world needs. Bailey’s commitment to continuous improvement and her ability to overcome resistance to change among faculty has been key to the program’s success.

Read more about Bailey and her work on Seamless.