When discussing the fashion merchandising progam, it is impossible to leave Nancy Morris out of the conversation.  While the program possibly started in the 60’s or 70’s, Morris has had an influential role in the success of the program since her start at Ashland.  Her most recent contribution to the program was overseeing the move of the fashion merchandising program from Family and Consumer Sciences to the College of Business.

 Within the newly restructured program, Morris wears many hats.  She is in charge of the curriculum for the program as well as keeping all of the classes up to date by tracking trends in the fashion world.  Morris teaches most of the fashion classes required for the major, a total of ten different courses. Many of these classes utilize large projects requiring Morris to commit even more time outside the classroom to help students through projects. Fashion merchandising students know that Morris will make time for them. One student, David Moore, a junior at Ashland University said, “She is always helping out students. She always has her office hours. She’s always available for the students to come in and help out with things.”

On top of being a professor, Morris also acts as a liaison between Ashland University and the partnering institutions of the Paris Fashion Institute and the New York Institute of Technology. These relationships add great value to the program here at Ashland.  Senior Hannah Betz benefitted from Morris’ connections, saying “Studying abroad was the best decision I have made some coming to Ashland. I got to study at the Paris Fashion Institute which was recently ranked online as one of the top fashion Institutes in the world.”  As highly as Betz regards her study abroad experience she holds Morris in an even higher regards saying, “She’s the nicest lady and she really knows what she’s talking about and she so supportive and I really loved having her as an advisor.”

Betz is far from the only student to praise Morris so highly.  Lydia Smith, a senior in the program said, “Morris is great. She really cares about her students, a lot.” Smith went on to say that the program is, “a lot like a family.” Sophomore Rylee Scott also mentioned how close knit the members of the program become sharing, “I have definitely loved the atmosphere. I’ve gotten close relationships with some of the girls and that helps all of us out.”

Morris takes great joy in the work she does with her students. She said, “It’s wonderful to work with creative students, I think that’s probably what I enjoy the most.  You know, giving students a project and seeing what they come up with.”

Nancy Morris is one of the many resources at Ashland University. Her commitment to the fashion merchandising program and her willingness to serve in any role has earned her great respect and appreciation, from faculty and students alike. As the fashion merchandising program continues to grow the culture that Morris being to the program is one facet that can be expected to endure, a culture of great relationships and a willingness to serve.