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Spotlight on
Professor Nora MacDonald
Department:
Division of Design & Merchandising
Title:
Professor and Program Chair, Fashion Design and Merchandising
Department or College URL:
Biography:
The Big Apple—what better place to go to study the fashion industry? Each spring, Professor MacDonald takes 20 students in her Merchandising Study Tour class to spend a week visiting high-end retailers, a distribution center, and museums in the New York City area. Students also have the chance to meet and network with WVU alums who are working there in the fashion industry.
A WVU faculty member for more than 30 years, Professor MacDonald is known for her dedication to creating unique learning experiences for her students. One of these was the program’s first fashion design in Italy program. Students in the four-week summer course study for one week at the Il Sillabo School of Italian Language and Culture in San Giovanni and for three weeks at the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan.
Professor MacDonald also teaches courses in visual merchandising and beginner’s and advanced sections of both apparel design and illustration and flat pattern design.
A WVU faculty member for more than 30 years, Professor MacDonald is known for her dedication to creating unique learning experiences for her students. One of these was the program’s first fashion design in Italy program. Students in the four-week summer course study for one week at the Il Sillabo School of Italian Language and Culture in San Giovanni and for three weeks at the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan.
Professor MacDonald also teaches courses in visual merchandising and beginner’s and advanced sections of both apparel design and illustration and flat pattern design.
Describe your proudest moment as a teacher.
My proud moments have to do with student success—a student being able to put everything together, applying what they’ve learned, and getting excited about learning.
What advice would you give future students?
Never say “never.” Don’t be afraid to ask. Make good use of your time. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t be afraid to ask a teacher for help. Be honest—never lie. Get enough sleep so that you can function. And just enjoy the learning process.
What have you learned from your students?
The joy of teaching!
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