“When people hear the word ‘fashion,’ they think all we do is dress people. Fashion is much more than dressing people,” said Dr.

Roberts. “It is a $3 trillion dollar business that employs product developers, buyers, merchandisers, marketers, accounts, designers and many more.”  

Dr. Roberts, assistant professor of merchandising and fashion design (MFD), started her career in fashion at the young age of 16. She held various positions throughout high school and college before earning her Master of Education from MSU. 

Returning to MSU 

After a career in the industry, she jumped at the chance to return and teach at her alma mater.  

“17 years later, here I am. I am grateful for my industry experience because I can teach from experience, not from a book,” she said. 

Inspiring students 

“Watching the students gain confidence through classroom knowledge and internships has been my favorite part,” said Dr. Roberts. “I am always humbled that I was able to make a positive impact on them, and I am grateful to have played a small role in their lives.” 

Dr. Roberts is the faculty sponsor for the Student Association of Fashion and Design (AFAD) as well as Sartorial Magazine, the online student fashion magazine. 

Dr. Roberts wants people to know that the MFD department is a unique niche in the College of Business.  

Students at MSU benefit from a solid foundation in business course work in addition to their fashion courses. This is a unique model not seen at many other universities. 

 

Learn more about merchandising and fashion design.