LOGAN – What is called a transfer agreement, which has been in the works for several years, will now allow Salt Lake Community College fashion and design students the chance to seek more education to find opportunities in the outdoor industry, through Utah State University.
The new agreement gives two-year students from SLCC’s Fashion Institute the chance to apply to Utah State University’s Outdoor Product Design and Development program. Students applying to the OPDD program must submit a portfolio after having been formally accepted to USU’s program. That means SLCC students, after two years in USU’s OPDD program, may graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
SLCC students who graduate this spring can join USU this fall.
This new partnership allows USU OPDD students to concentrate their studies on product design or product line management while SLCC Fashion Institute students can focus on visual merchandising or technical apparel design.
Mojdeh Sakaki, Fashion Institute program manager at SLCC, said there are 17 thriving outdoor apparel companies in Utah and students graduating as a result of the transfer agreement will continue to provide a sustainable workforce for those companies.
Hands-on training and gaining industry experience receive a strong emphasis at both programs.