TEXTILES.ORG
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has announced the 2025 Student Chapter Award winners. The Student Chapter Awards honor undergraduate seniors for academic achievement and contribution to their chapter, school or society. Winners received a certificate, a copy of Color Vision and Technology by Rolf G. Kuehni and a free one-year AATCC student membership.
Alicia Valle
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona)
Degree: Apparel merchandising & management, with an apparel production and management focus
Hometown: Pomona, Calif.
“Alicia Valle is a senior in the apparel production and management option at Cal Poly Pomona. Alicia stands out for her diligence and support of peers in textile lab courses. Alicia’s holistic academic experiences exemplify ‘learn by doing’ and efforts towards inclusive excellence,” says Helen Trejo, Valle’s faculty advisor.
Her advisor also shared that Valle serves as a role model for her peers through her proactive presidency of the AATCC SoCal Broncos student organization and position as an instructional student assistant in the Apparel Merchandising and Management Department. She is also a College of Agriculture peer advisor, where she works as a teaching assistant for freshmen and transfer students enrolled in First Year Experience courses.
After completing her degree, Valle hopes to pursue a career in a role that combines creative development with hands-on technical work, such as product development, production management or technical design. She is also considering pursuing a master’s degree or specialized certifications to continue expanding her skill set and stay competitive.
Milla Lima
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)
Degree: Textile development and marketing, with a minor in ethics and sustainability
Hometown: Denver, N.C.
Faculty Advisor Whitney Crutchfield shared “Milla serves as a role model for other students in the Textile Development and Marketing department. She is actively engaged in coursework, research, and extracurricular activities related to the department. Milla is part of a research team lead by TDM faculty working on a project funded by an EPA grant and is a champion for sustainability and environmentally-sound practices in the textile industry,” says Whitney Crutchfield, Lima’s faculty advisor
Lima serves as the vice president of the Student Chapter at FIT and has demonstrated dedication to the chapter with enthusiasm and professionalism. She is cited by her advisor as an instrumental part of the chapter leadership, being proactive and communicative with her peers and with faculty and industry partners.
Lima hopes to pursue a career in textile development, with a focus on material innovation or sustainability-driven production, She looks forward to staying in New York to build industry experience, and plans to later continue her education to further refine her expertise.
Amna Akbar
NED University of Engineering & Technology
Degree: Textile sciences
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
“Amna Akbar has been an active member of AATCC since 2022, playing key roles and becoming vice president in 2025. She has led initiatives like career seminars, Olympiads and industry visits, and is currently working on organizing professional training on AATCC standards. Her leadership and dedication continue to strengthen the chapter’s impact and reach,” says Muhammad Dawood Husain, Akbar’s faculty advisor.
Akbar has completed the Unilever Engineering Possibilities training program and Digital Marketing and Advertising Certificate through NFTP, along with internships at Demin Prive, Younus Textile and Smart Lab at NEDUET. She’s also represented AATCC at the 9th Color & Chem Expo Pakistan 2024 for memberships and led AATCC members to attend GTex Expo 2025.
After graduation, Akbar hopes to start her career in the textile industry in the manufacturing and quality assurance sectors. She also plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration to strengthen her management skills and broaden her career opportunities.
Janely Tirado
Thomas Jefferson University
Degree: Textile product science, sports and high-performance materials
Hometown: Cinnaminson, N.J.
“Janely Tirado is an exceptional individual. She has demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement and endless persistence when working toward her goals. Throughout her time at Jefferson, she served as a peer mentor in the First Year Seminar Course, a research assistant in our Bruner Materials Characterization Lab, and an academic peer tutor. Her presence in a class elevated the work outcomes of her peers due to the high standards she sets for herself, but also her unwavering support for her classmates,” says Becky Flax, Tirado’s faculty advisor.
Tirado has graduated and begun her career in Kids FW Materials Development at Nike. She hopes to continue growing as a professional, exploring all aspects of textile materials from ideation to creation.
Abigail ‘Abby’ Patel
University of Delaware
Degree: Fashion merchandising and management, with a minor in business administration
Hometown: Mickleton, New Jersey, USA
“Abby has achieved the dean’s list for six semesters of college, and she also holds a Destination Delaware scholarship and a university scholarship. Abby has been the president of the Sustainable Fashion club since September 2023 and brings awareness to the school about the harmful impacts of the fashion industry in regard to sustainability and ethics. She has been able to educate peers about how they can upcycle and recycle what they have instead of throwing items away. She demonstrates understanding of the importance of educating others on sustainability and hopes to have a positive impact on the fashion industry in the near future,” says Adriana Gorea, Patel’s faculty advisor.
After graduation, Patel hopes to begin her career in the fashion industry as a merchandiser, buyer, or in sourcing and to continue her work in sustainability awareness.
Abir Hossain
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology
Degree: Textile engineering, with an apparel manufacturing focus
Hometown: Khulna, Bangladesh
“Abir Hossain has consistently demonstrated strong academic achievement and a … deep understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of apparel manufacturing and technical textiles. Notably, his participation in national-level competitions, such as winning the Textile Talent Hunt 8.0, highlights his innovative approach and problem-solving skills. Abir has engaged in internships and hands-on projects, such as his work at Urmi Garments Ltd. and as Founding Chair of the AATCC AUST Student Chapter, Abir’s dedication to bridging academia and industry has left a lasting impact on both the chapter and the student community,” says Mohammad Tajul Islam, Hossain’s faculty advisor.
Hossain hopes to begin his career in the garment industry and after gaining experience aims to complete his master’s degree at the North Carolina State University Wilson College of Textiles.
Hetul Patel
NC State Wilson College of Textiles
Degree: Polymer and Color Chemistry, Science and Operations focus
Hometown: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
“Hetul Patel has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, showcasing a strong commitment to his studies. He is an inquisitive learner, always seeking to deepen his understanding of complex concepts. One of his notable strengths is his ability to receive and act upon feedback, which has led to significant growth and improvement throughout his academic journey. His achievements are a testament to his dedication and perseverance.
Patel has demonstrated significant service to our school and the AATCC Student Chapter. As an active member, he consistently attends meetings and has been a key representative for the club over the past two years. Notably, he represented the chapter on the Tompkins Textile Student Council, showcasing his leadership and commitment. His dedication and active participation have been invaluable to the chapter’s success and visibility within the university community,” says Patel’s faculty advisor.
Patel has worked in the Pilot plant at the Wilson College of Textiles Zies Textiles Extension, where he learned to apply wet processing and finishing knowledge and made valuable connections. After graduation, Patel plans to work in the dye industry and provide sustainable solutions to the textile industry in his hometown, Ahmedabad.