Celebrating Student Success
The ARMD program at NDSU is proud to showcase the exceptional accomplishments of our students. From innovative design projects and academic honors to internships and study tours, our students consistently demonstrate creativity, dedication, and excellence, preparing them for thriving careers in fashion, retail, and design.
Mariah Huglen
Mariah Huglen, who is majoring in Apparel, Retail Merchandising, and Design (ARMD) and is also an ARMD Fellow student, together with her teammate Macy Stender in Nursing, has won the Problems to Possibilities Fowler Track at the NDSU Possibility Showcase!
As a result of this achievement, Mariah and Macy presented their project at the Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge in San Diego, CA on May 4th. The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge is a remarkable opportunity tailor-made for student social entrepreneurs who are shaping the future with their innovative ventures. They will compete for $75,000+ and a chance to network with global players from around the World!
Mariah Huglen & Emma Rood
The ARMD fellow, Mariah Huglen, and Emma Rood submitted their fellowship project to the 2024 American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Concept 2 Consumer Student Merchandising Competition. They conducted business analyses, developed marketing strategies, and crafted merchandising plans to complete the project. They won FIRST place in the 2024 AATCC Concept 2 Consumer (C2C) Student Merchandising Competition!
Mariah Billadeu
Mariah Billadeu,a senior in the Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design program was awarded 2nd Place in the 2019 NDSU Research & Technology Park Innovation Challenge Mariah will create a new textile, EcoTex using wax that eliminates micro-plastics, thereby being environmentally friendly. EcoTex is an eco-friendly, all natural, ethically produced textile that is still breathable and flexible as well as water-resistant.
The NDSU Research and Technology Park hosts the Innovation Challenge each year, an idea competition for students. They come with any ideas, things that have the potential to become a business one day or are at least a cause for future research. The student participants are encouraged to develop their ideas over the course of a semester long competition and compete for prizes up to $4,000. They are coached along the way from professionals with the NDSU Research and Technology Park, Flint Group, and Dr. Jeffrey Stamp a business mentor. Teams can compete in one of three innovation tracks. The social impact track consists of projects related to the overall improvement of community, regional, or world issues.
NDSU has this amazing community that inspires you to really go after your passions and what you love to do. I am really thankful to have chosen NDSU and become a part of the family. ~Mariah Billadeau
Mariah Billadeau made a striking gown from a variety of plastic bags, straws and plastic lids and displayed it on a mannequin at NDSU’s student innovation showcase. She told the audience her idea: a new, water-resistant fabric that uses natural fibers and waxes to reduce pollutants that end up in our bodies and the world’s oceans. The plastic dress also helped make her point: “If we don’t clean up our act, this is what we’ll be wearing in the future.”
Professors inside and outside her area of study have supported her dream, providing guidance on a project that relies on knowledge of many fields, including engineering and physics. Billadeau’s curiosity, ambition and experiences led the way to developing an innovative new textile that helps save the planet. Mariah graduated from our ARMD program in May and is studying at the University of Seville in Spain this summer. She wants to learn Spanish as her second language and feels immersing herself in the culture is the best way to learn the language.
Learn more about Mariah’ experience ⇒
View article featured in ARMD Newsletter ⇒
Katie Fischer
Katie is a 2019 graduate of the Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design Program. When Katie was a student, she received the Inside Fashion Design Scholarship (spring 2018) and interned in New York City (summer 2018). Katie was also one of the student designers featured in 2019 FABO Fashion Show. Katie Fischer has accepted a position as an Assistant Manager for an Evereve store in Madison, WI. She is also a May graduate of the ARMD program.
I love to create classic items with a unique twist. My line is very chic and sophisticated with a splash of fun. I am creating a tiered midi skirt, a pair of wide-leg pants, and a satin cocktail dress. ~Katie Fischer
ESRAP 2017 Student Merchandising Competition
A business plan poster submission “Timeless Fitnesswear” created by a group of four students in ADHM 481 Capstone in Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design was selected as one of the top ten submissions in the Educators for Socially Responsible Apparel Practices (ESRAP) 2017 Student Merchandising Competition. ESRAP Student Merchandising Competition is a juried poster competition where students will incorporate Triple Bottom Line practices in the development of a business plan for a socially responsible fashion retailer. The business plan may be for a traditional brick and mortar or a non-store retailer.
