Message from the Summer Pre-College Fashion Merchandising Program Director

Welcome to Marist University and the Summer Pre-College Fashion Merchandising A-Z course for high school students.  If you are interested in the exciting and dynamic world of fashion, then this program is an excellent opportunity for you learn more about the business of fashion while earning three college credits. As Marist University Fashion Department faculty with years of fashion industry experience, we will help you understand the business of fashion through the many facets of fashion merchandising.  We look forward to sharing our knowledge and passion for fashion and retailing with you this summer.

Program Director – Stephanie Conover

Stephanie Conover, Senior Professional Lecturer of Fashion, is the Summer Pre-College Director of Fashion Merchandising and Design. Ms. Conover teaches the following courses in the Fashion Department at Marist: Fashion in Culture and Commerce, Retail Principles and Practices, Digital Merchandising and Marketing, Fashion Social Media, and Fashion Merchandising Senior Capstone.  She also teaches a First Year Seminar on the synergies between fashion and rock & roll and Digital Marketing for Fashion in the Integrated Marketing Communications Masters Program. Ms. Conover serves as the faculty advisor for the Marist Fashion social media accounts and Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society. With over 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Stephanie has worked for Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Tory Burch, and Derek Lam. This background has provided her with a vast knowledge of retail buying, planning, and merchandising from both the perspectives of a department store and vertical retailer.  She also has experience in launching and managing an e-commerce business, including digital marketing and social media, as well as overseeing all aspects of brick-and-mortar retail boutiques, including visual merchandising, operations, staffing, and customer service. She holds a MBA from Fordham University and a BS in Family and Consumer Sciences from Western Illinois University. Ms. Conover is excited for the Summer Pre-College program and looks forward to working with the Fashion Department team to show the students the amazing experience the Marist Fashion Department offers.

Session I Instructor – Rebecca Brown

Rebecca Brown, Senior Professional Lecturer of Fashion Merchandising, is the instructor of Fashion Merchandising A to Z Session I. Ms. Brown teaches the following courses in the Fashion Department at Marist:  Retail Principles and Practices, Merchandise Planning and Control, Buying, Planning & Allocation, Global Merchandising Strategies, Retail Entrepreneurship (MPorium), and Fashion Merchandising Senior Capstone. She is an innovative merchandising executive specializing in footwear, handbag and fashion accessory line merchandising and brand development. She spent 20 years building a career and reputation as a highly accomplished industry leader with expertise in translating concepts into effective merchandising, product development and brand campaigns. As the V.P. of Merchandising for Nine West, she demonstrated the ability to successfully navigate a volatile retail climate. She holds a BS in Apparel Marketing from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Rebecca received the 2021 SGA Communications and the Arts Faculty of the Year award and enjoys mentoring her students in all aspects of fashion merchandising and career planning.  She is focused on diversity, equity and inclusion at Marist University and is a part of the Marist Diversity Leadership Institute.

Session II Instructor – Sonia Roy

Sonia Roy, Distinguished Professional Lecturer of Fashion Design & Merchandising, is the instructor of Fashion Merchandising A to Z Session II. Ms. Roy teaches the following courses in the Fashion Department at Marist:  Fashion in Culture and Commerce, Textile Design, Fashion Design II, Fashion Design Capstone Portfolio Development and Fashion Design Capstone Collection Development.  Every spring, she teaches the spring attachment course Global Fashion Trends which culminates in a two-week trip to an international fashion destination. Past trips have included Spain, Japan, Portugal, Greece, Denmark and Belgium. She is the Director of the Fashion Gallery in the Steel Plant Studios and the Textile Design Lab Coordinator.  Prior to coming to Marist, she worked in the intimate apparel market as a lingerie, sleepwear and loungewear designer. She holds a MFA in Fashion Design from Academy of Art University and a BFA in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design.