Message from the Summer Pre-College Fashion Merchandising Program Director

Welcome to Marist College and the Pre College Summer Fashion Institute for high school juniors and seniors. If you are interested in the exciting and dynamic world of fashion, then this program is an excellent opportunity for you to earn 3 college credits. As full-time faculty in the Marist College Fashion Department, each with over 20 years of fashion industry experience, we will help you understand the business of fashion through the many facets of fashion merchandising.  We look forward to sharing our knowledge and passion for fashion and retailing with you this summer.

Program Director, Rebecca Brown

Rebecca Brown, Professional Lecturer of Fashion Merchandising, is the Summer Pre-College Director of Fashion Merchandising and Design for Summer 2024. Ms. Brown teaches the following courses in the Fashion Program at Marist College:  Retail Principles and Practices, Merchandise Planning and Control, Buying, Planning & Allocation, Global Merchandising Strategies, Retail Entrepreneurship (MPorium), and Senior Capstone Thesis. She is an innovative merchandising executive specializing in footwear, handbag, fashion accessory lines, merchandising and brand development. She spent 20 years building a career and reputation as a highly accomplished industry leader with expertise in translating concepts into effective merchandising, product development and brand campaigns. As the V.P. of merchandising for Nine West, she demonstrated the ability to successfully navigate a volatile retail climate. She holds a bachelor’s degree in apparel marketing from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Rebecca received the 2021 SGA Communications and the Arts Faculty of the Year award and enjoys mentoring her to students in all aspects of Fashion Merchandising and Career Planning.  She is focused on diversity, equity and inclusion at Marist College and is a part of the Marist College Diversity Leadership Institute.   Ms. Brown is excited for the 2024 Summer Pre-College program and looks forward to working with the Fashion Program team to show the students the amazing experience the Marist College Fashion program offers. 

Session I & II Instructor, Stephanie Conover

Stephanie Conover, Professional Lecturer of Fashion Merchandising, is the instructor of Fashion Merchandising Session I. Ms. Conover teaches the following courses in the Fashion Program at Marist College:  Fashion in Culture & Commerce, Retail Principles and Practices, Buying, Planning & Allocation, Fashion Social Media, Fashion E-Commerce, and Senior Capstone Thesis. With over 20 years of experience in the retail industry, Stephanie has worked for Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Tory Burch, and Derek Lam.  This background has provided her with a vast knowledge of retail buying, planning, and merchandising from both the perspectives of a department store and vertical retailer.  She also has experience in launching and managing an e-commerce business, including digital marketing and social media, as well as overseeing all aspects of brick and mortar retail boutiques, including visual merchandising, operations, staffing, and customer service. She holds a MBA from Fordham University and a BS in Family and Consumer Sciences from Western Illinois University.