Freeman elected to council of international textile organization
Charles Freeman, Jr.
A Mississippi State faculty member in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences’ School of Human Sciences has been chosen to serve on the council of a premier international academic association for the textile industry.
Charles Freeman, Jr., associate professor of fashion design and merchandising, was elected Vice President of Planning for the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA). Freeman, who is approaching 10 years as faculty at MSU, joined ITAA in 2010, when he was a graduate student. He will begin the three-year position in January 2023.
Over the last 12 years, Freeman has experienced the rewards of being a seasoned member of an organization that includes scholars from all over the world representing a diverse range of textile, apparel and merchandising disciplines. His involvement in ITAA, as well as his experience at MSU, have clarified his understanding of the wide scope and interconnectedness within the industry.
“One of the things I have gained an appreciation for, especially working at MSU, is how closely textile production is tied to agriculture,” Freeman said. “The clothing we wear comes from crops like cotton and wood fibers, and it’s important to me to meet with farmers in our state and understand that aspect of textile production.”
Freeman also values the mentors he has met through the ITAA and is pleased to be able to move into the role of mentoring new members who are starting out as he did when he joined the organization.
“When I was younger, I would meet scholars at ITAA conferences whose work I had cited in my research,” Freeman said. “As time has gone by, I’m now in the other role, and it feels good to be able to mentor up and coming scholars.”
His new role comes with numerous administrative responsibilities and requires collaborating with the ITAA Council and a number of core committees. Freeman said that because of the support from his department and administration and the leadership opportunities MSU provides its faculty, he feels ready for the job.
“The School of Human Sciences and university administration have always supported my growth not only as an academic but also in leadership roles. I recently completed the Faculty Leadership Development Institute, and I feel like that experience will prepare me well for my new role in ITAA,” Freeman said.
ITAA President Lynn Boorady, stated, “The role of the Vice President of Planning is vital to the operation of ITAA, and I am confident that our association is in good hands with Dr. Freeman’s leadership.”
ITAA is a professional, educational association composed of scholars, educators, and students in the textile, apparel and merchandising disciplines in higher education. ITAA promotes the discovery, dissemination and application of knowledge and welcomes professionals employed in those fields who wish to join with ITAA members in the pursuit of knowledge, interchange of ideas and dissemination of knowledge through meetings, special events, and publications. To learn more about ITAA, visit www.itaaonline.org.
In addition to his teaching role as assistant professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Freeman is also a scientist in the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.
Meg Henderson | Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
