Tutor Biographies

tutor working with a student

Current Tutor News

Abigail Brooks
Major:  Textile Surface Design
Abigail will be graduating from FIT in May, 2024 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Textile Surface Design.  She has been awarded the Rose Lanzillotti Dean's Award and will be exhibiting her work at the graduating student showcase in the lobby of the Pomerantz building this semester.  Upon graduating, Abigail will be working full time as an Assistant Designer for Schumacher Hospitality.

Beatrice Nicolini
Major: Advertising and Marketing Communications
Beatrice graduated from FIT with an Associate’s degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications
in May, 2023. She is currently continuing on at FIT to earn a Bachelor’s degree in the same major.

Cher Mouradzadegun
Major:  Fashion Design
Cher was chosen to present two designs in the Future of Fashion show for spring 2024. She is graduating with a BFA in Fashion Design in May 2024

Dohee Kim
Major:  Interior Design
Dohee will be graduating in May 2024 with an Associate's Degree in Interior Design.  She has been interning as a Junior Designer at a design firm called Studio Rolling since fall 2023.  She has been working with the other designers on creting a new restaurant called Juju 31 which opens April 2024.  Dohee was involved in the entire design process and is very excited about the opening.

Gangothri K. Chakravarthi
Major: Global Fashion Management 
Gangothri recently attended a seminar in Paris as part of her curriculum. During the seminar, she partnered with management students from IFM, Paris, and Hong Kong Polytechnic University to work on a case study aimed at assisting the Salomon sportswear brand in entering the sports style market and attracting female customers. 

Gangothri’s collaboration with the global team resulted in the development of innovative strategies tailored to Salomon’s objectives. Additionally, she had the opportunity to interact with key figures from the luxury fashion industry, further enriching her educational experience. 

Jessica Liang
Major: Interior Design
Jessica was selected by the Department of Interior Design for the Interior Design Department Commencement Award and won second place in the 2024 NYSR Rendering Competition. She is also graduating in May 2024 with an AAS in Interior Design and will be continuing at FIT to earn a bachelor’s degree in interior design. 

Michelle Gonzalez
Major: Fashion Business Management
Michelle will be graduating with a BS degree in Fashion Business management in May 2024. She has accepted a David Yurman Wholesale internship offer for the summer of 2024. 

Vanessa Cannistra 
Major: Advertising and Marketing Communications 
Vanessa will be graduating from FIT with a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications this upcoming spring. A highlight during her academic career includes an internship with Italian fashion brand Missoni where she was able to combine her passion for marketing with the love for her native language, Italian.  

Zoja Zegarac
Major: Fashion Design - Sportswear
Zoja is currently interning at the brand AKNVAS during her 6th semester at FIT to fulfill her internship requirement needed to complete her bachelor’s degree.

Tutor Bios

Abigail Brooks
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology
(Textile/Surface Design in progress)
Subjects:  Art History, Mathematics, Textile Design, Textile Science
Advice for Students: Look around you and allow yourself to be inspired.  Your coursework will become an outlet for you. 

Christine Yeh
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology (Computer Animation and Interactive Media)
Subjects: Computer Graphics, 3D software, Mandarin Chinese
Advice for Students: Aim high and be patient.

Deborah Clark
BA, Fashion Institute of Technology (Fashion Design)
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology (Accessories Design)
Presidential Scholar, Magna Cum Laude
AAS, Washington State University (Interior Design)
Subjects: Fashion Design, Computer Graphics, Accessories Design, Textile Design
Advice for Students:  Follow your dreams and don't step on others as you grow because you will meet them again. Be the better-spirited person.

Jane Talcott
BFA, Rhode Island School of Design (Textile Design)
Subjects:  Textile Design woven/prints, Computer Graphics
Advice for Students:  Keep a sketchbook, develop your vision, play with software tools without an agenda for short periods consistently. Watch tutorials and investigate the marketplace and exhibitions.

Johnny Ng
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology (Computer Animation and Interactive Media); MFA, School of Visual Arts (Computer Arts)
Subjects: Computer Animation, Graphic Design
Advice for Students:  Study hard, have a lot of patience, and be creative.  Also, pursue some of your education outside of FIT because that will open you up to even more opportunities.

June Isshiki
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology (Computer Animation and Interactive Media)
Subjects: 3D software, Adobe software, Japanese
Advice for Students:  Be positive and take care of your mental health.

Kerry Gibbons
BS, Georgetown University, MFA California Institute of the Arts
Subjects:  Mathematics, Fashion Design, Illustration, Computer Software
Advice for Students:  Get organized and your workload will become much more manageable.

Rhea Wadhwa
MPS, Global Fashion Management, 2024
Subject: Math, Economics, Fashion Business Management, Production Management
Advice for FIT Students: Visit the career center at FIT, it's a great resource.

Russell Jenkins
BA, Rutgers University (Economics)
Subjects:  Economics, Mathematics, Microsoft Office
Advice for Students:  Allow yourself to think of your course work (especially those classes which are required but not directly related to your major) as the "broader tapestry/medium" in which you have to work and create. 

Sunzeyun Wang (Xia)
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology (Fashion Design)
Subject: Draping and Sewing for 1st year students
Advice for Students:  Enjoy the learning process and you will accumulate more knowledge and be happier.

Yasmeen Khalifa
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, (Advertising and Marketing Communications)
BA, AMC in progress
Subject: AMC, Economics, Statistics, Computer Applications
Advice for FIT Students:  Always stay on top of your work and deadlines using planners or Google calendar

Yukti Poddar
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, (Communication Design)
Subject: Computer Graphics, Art History, Mathematics
Advice for Students: Stay involve on campus and make lots of connections!