ITM Scholarships

Posted: Oct 3, 2012
ITM DEPARTMENTAL AND NEW TIMES GROUP SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED

THREE ITM MAJORS RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH $5,200 EACH
AND ONE ITM MAJOR RECEIVES $2,600 SCHOLARSHIP
Chelsea N. Cooper, Maitri D. Mody, Diana C.Marin, Nicole C. Lorden
We are pleased to announce that the Selection Committee, composed of David Uricoli, Senior Director of Human Rights Compliance at Ralph Lauren Corporation and ITM advisory board member; Mike Cottell, Senior Vice President of Menswear at Ralph Lauren Corporation; Prof. Donna Sharp, Senior Partner, Sharp Global Partners, Ltd. and ITM Advisory Board member; Prof. Henry Welt, Chair of FIT's Department of Entrepreneurship and ITM Advisory Board member; and Bich Thu Cao Minh, Licensee Supervisor, Global Human Rights & Social Responsibility Program of PVH Corp. and outstanding ITM alumna, has chosen Chelsea N. Cooper, Maitri D. Mody, and Diana C. Marin as the recipients of this academic year's ITM Departmental Scholarships and Nicole C. Lorden as the recipient of the New Times Group ITM Scholarship.
The Selection Committee was struck by Chelsea's professionalism, her ability to think on her feet, and the depth of her understanding and commitment to the ITM major and international corporate responsibility. In her enthusiastic recommendation of Chelsea, Dr. Irene Buchman highlighted that ITM "is a perfect fit for her global interests" and skills. In addition to her major, Chelsea is minoring in Psychology, Economics, and Latin American Studies.
Chelsea discussed her proposed project for the trade practicum to Vietnam in January 2013 wherein she intends to research on Vietnamese worker motivation and job satisfaction and steps the fashion industry can take to improve the lives of factory workers there since her preliminary findings indicated that workers are migrating to their hometowns from larger cities to take advantage of lower costs of living and their daily earnings are insufficient to pay for the cost of food.
This research project relates directly to Chelsea's aspiration to bring a sense of accomplishment to fashion industry practitioners by enabling them to improve employees' working conditions worldwide. By pursuing a career in ethics and social responsibility, she intends to introduce changes to garment production partly through educating consumers about the human costs that go along with the clothing price tag.
Chelsea is currently the vice president of the International Trade Student Association (ITSA) after having served it as treasurer a year earlier, a Presidential scholar, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa international honors society as well as a Senior Resident Assistant, Student Ambassador, and Sustainability Council member at FIT. She was a marketing and design intern as well as visual merchandising assistant at Ellen Tracy for almost four years, helping the design team maintain mood boards and fabric swatches while conducting trend research. Chelsea was also a sales representative of Group 868, presenting international designers' collections to buyers during bridal market week. At the High School of Fashion Industries, Chelsea was mentored by former ITM advisory board member, Mr. Mark Mendelson, who enabled her to work on projects with Saks Fifth Avenue, Ann Taylor, and Macy's. Chelsea has worked in the industry since she was fifteen and continues to give back by mentoring teens attending Fashion Industries High School.
Chelsea received the United College Employees of FIT Leadership Scholarship and Gladys Marcus Award in 2011. She was also a member of FIT's Sustainability Council and Phi Theta Kappa honors society, volunteered for Intertek's Ethical Sourcing Forum, Woodstock Intermediate School, as well as the Black Retail Action Group, and studied at Symbiosis University in India. She also received a grant from Barnes and Noble to help build schools and teach English in Ecuador for the Global Volunteers program.
Diana demonstrated to the Selection Committee her ability to connect her goals with the challenging realities in the industry and globally. Having gone through her own struggles, she understands what it takes to commence an international entrepreneurial career involving jewelry and accessories.
In his recommendation of Diana, Prof. Steven A. Bollon praised Diana for demonstrating a "comprehensive and productive capacity" to tackle a very difficult microeconomics course, which entails the application of "mathematics and cognitive skills." He further observed that she is consistently prepared when she attends classes and has strong interpersonal skills, constantly enthusiastic about helping her classmates. In fact, she is currently tutoring one of them.
Prior to ITM, Diana earned her Associates in Applied Science in Jewelry Design where she was awarded Diversity and honors scholarships. Reflecting her versatility and love of travel, Diana's work experience spans positions fulfilled at Helen Andrews, Inc., Swissport USA, Inc., and Macy's flagship store. She is fluent in Spanish and has a basic knowledge of written French and Italian.
Maitri also captivated the imagination of the Selection Committee, citing her impeccable academic performance as well as interest in pursuing a career in marketing, partly sparked by leading her team to victory in the Lifelong Ambassadors of Cotton marketing project scholarship competition last spring.
In addition to her impressive academic achievement, Maitri volunteered at Angel Express foundation in Mumbai, India, where she helped less fortunate children through a schooling program. She also contributes monthly to Children International India by sponsoring the fees of a third grader. She has also volunteered at events in which ITSA participates and intends to run a half marathon to raise funds for charity.
Inspired by a Bollywood film that led her to her first foray into fashion as assistant designer for India fashion week, Maitri joined an export house, Amal Exports, as merchandiser and production manager for European designers and brands. Then, as an enthusiastic reader of fashion magazines, she became a fashion stylist for Verve magazine published by Mahindra Group and Beautiful People and Brides Now magazines produced by Ogaan Publications.
In discussing her career goals, Maitri cited learning "that designers are merging boundaries by embracing inspirations from countries around the globe and their business end is doing the same through effective marketing and distribution." Her compelling desire to be part of "this globally evolving fashion industry" led to her application to ITM as a stepping stone to her goal of working as a marketing manager for a fashion luxury brand with a strong ethical standard. Ultimately, she hopes to combine her love of travel with fashion and enterprising spirit by starting a jewelry and accessory company and partnering with artisans in India, Bali, Africa, Turkey, and South America.
Diana demonstrated to the Selection Committee her ability to connect her goals with the challenging realities in the industry and globally. Having gone through her own struggles, she understands what it takes to commence an international entrepreneurial career involving jewelry and accessories.
In his recommendation of Diana, Prof. Steven A. Bollon praised Diana for demonstrating a "comprehensive and productive capacity" to tackle a very difficult microeconomics course, which entails the application of "mathematics and cognitive skills." He further observed that she is consistently prepared when she attends classes and has strong interpersonal skills, constantly enthusiastic about helping her classmates. In fact, she is currently tutoring one of them.
Prior to ITM, Diana earned her Associates in Applied Science in Jewelry Design where she was awarded Diversity and honors scholarships. Reflecting her versatility and love of travel, Diana's work experience spans positions fulfilled at Helen Andrews, Inc., Swissport USA, Inc., and Macy's flagship store. She is fluent in Spanish and has a basic knowledge of written French and Italian.
Nicole impressed the Selection Committee with her excellent academic achievements, having graduated Summa Cum Laude from her associate degree and becoming a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She also received the UCE Louis Stollar commencement award and scholarship, the Peter Vogel Leadership Key, and has been participating in a major ITM free trade agreement research initiative sponsored by Cotton Incorporated.
In addition, Nicole was a stylist intern at Style Made Simple, which involved Weight Watchers and Oprah magazines. She also worked for Bella Bridesmaid, reorganizing its showroom for easy access to its merchandise and coordinating with its designers.
Nicole is the president of ITSA and was director of business relations for the 2011-2012 FIT Dance-a-Thon. She was the Executive Board Treasurer of the FIT Student Association, Member Relations Manager and Assistant Marketing Manager of the Merchandizing Society, FIT student ambassador, ed skills peer mentor and student note taker, volunteered at the Ven Exiana Spring 2010 fashion show as well as the Opera Swimwear fashion show, and assisted special needs individuals at the Special Olympics
After graduating from ITM, Nicole intends to attend business school and become a "driving force in the international business and trade field for the fashion industry."
The judges were impressed with the applicants, noting their drive, dedication, and depth in their conviction for corporate social responsibility.
We hope that you will all join us in congratulating Chelsea, Maitri, Diana, and Nicole for their well deserved recognition.