r. Sallie Boggs has been sharing her love for fashion and business with students in the Department of Retailing for a total of 13 years. After several years away from the college she has returned as a full-time professor, and plans to give USC’s Fashion Board a makeover by increasing its membership and its community involvement.
A native of Columbia, Dr. Boggs began her career teaching marketing and fashion merchandising in Richland School District One, gradually working her way to becoming the coordinator for marketing programs in the district. After receiving her Ph.D. from USC, Dr. Boggs started teaching at the University.
“It is a challenge to think of a creative way to present material so it will be enjoyed and understood,” says Dr. Boggs of her teaching method. “I hope I come across as an enthusiastic instructor who absolutely loves what I am doing, and that I care about the students.”
“Find mentors,
network, and thank people
for their help.”
In addition to teaching, Dr. Boggs is now the advisor for the Fashion Board at USC and aims to keep the organization current and motivating for students. The Fashion Board holds meetings every other Wednesday. The meetings typically include students giving presentations about internships, guest speakers or planning for upcoming events.
“This is my first year as advisor for the Fashion Board at USC, and I love it,” said Dr. Boggs. “We have a great team of officers and wonderful members.”
One of Fashion Board’s most exciting events was Fashion Week at USC, held April 13-17. Not only did the organization hold a fashion show and showcase student designers, but it also enabled them to give back to the local community, specifically by working with the Department of Social Services and the clothing closet they used to clothe displaced children.
“We’re partnering with the DSS,” said Dr. Boggs. “We’ll be holding a denim drive and collecting jeans to give to children who have been displaced. We’ll also work with the DSS store and get clothing donations as well as fixing up the inside of the store.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Boggs is excited for the future of the Fashion Board.
“I’d like to promote it some more, and reach students who aren’t in the major but still have an interest in fashion. I’d also like to take some trips if it’s possible,” she said. “In the fall we raised more than $500 in one day for Lee Denim Day to fight breast cancer and we hope to do that again.”
Dr. Boggs intends to continue the partnership with the DSS and work more closely with children who have been displaced. She hopes to establish a mentoring program among foster children and Fashion Board members so that the children have positive role models.
As for her own students, Dr. Boggs encourages them to find good role models, too.
“Find mentors, network, and thank people for their help,” she said. “They are all future keys to your success. Every time you meet someone, think of it as an opportunity.”
Dr. Boggs also tells students that, in order to be truly successful, they should do work that makes them happy.
“The most important thing for students to learn is to find their passion and follow it, but also have a back-up plan,” she said. “Life is too short to be unhappy going to work every day and wondering, ‘what if’?”