The “FIT Early Prep for Industry Initiative” at Fashion Institute of Technology
Introduction:
Page Neal is spearheading an initiative in the New York City Public Schools for talented minority students. The program provides training and opportunities in fashion design, including jewelry. You can read about her program below and also find out about how you can be of support. ~ Marc
Proposal Summary:
Limited preparatory curricula and career exposure at the pre-college educational levels have resulted in pervasive under-representation of and marginal career opportunities for many talented and capable students at New York City public schools who dream of pursuing careers in design, apparel-related, and business and marketing industries.
Many FIT departments lament the paucity of “historically under-represented” students in both their majors and industries and seek ways to remedy the trend. The FIT “Early Prep for Industry” proposal addresses the need to provide talented and college-capable minority students with socioeconomic challenges with opportunities for industry exposure and related skills enrichment, global awareness, expanded academic skills and enhanced social skills in preparation for inclusion in selected design and business and marketing industries that have experienced limited diversity.
The industries that we have selected for participation are: jewelry design, accessories design, fashion design, interior design, packaging design and cosmetics and fragrance marketing.
We believe that we have developed a program model that will: 1.) Foster opportunities for socioeconomic mobility; 2.) Contribute to more diverse and dynamic design and business/marketing communities, and 3.) Encourage other educational outreach model for design institutions.
Program Objective:
OEOP(Equal Opportunity Program Office) proposes a rigorous and engaging three-year curriculum that will prepare and position talented but under-supported minority high school students for six targeted professional industries.
Through an intensive program curriculum of industry exposure, hands-on skills enrichment, academic enhancement, and student development, EPI(Early Prep For Industry Program) proposes to equip students with resources, tools, and experiences that will prepare them for admission to competitive degree-bearing programs at FIT and that will position them to pursue targeted design and/or business and marketing careers.
Program Costs:
EPI will be offered free of cost to selected students. Partnering high schools will provide program students with weekly weekend and day travel passes, while EPI will provide program supplies, materials, and lunches to mitigate economic deterrents to participation. EPI also will incur the tuition costs for FIT courses, workshop presenters, guest speakers, field trips, and cultural activities.
We are currently seeking EPI sponsorship from the six targeted industries. If you would like to receive more information about the FIT “Early Prep for Industry” please contact Program Coordinator Page Neal.
Reach him by Email at (Page_Neal at fitnyc.edu)
Reach him by Telephone at 212.217.4173
