معرفی
Kendra Lapolla is an Associate Professor in the Department of Fashion Design & Merchandising at Kent State University's College of the Arts. She holds a BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design and an MFA from The Ohio State University. Her teaching focuses on portfolio, illustration, and design courses, integrating industry experience to create real-world learning scenarios.
Her research emphasizes co-creation in design, sustainability, and design research. She has presented work internationally in Denmark, England, and New Zealand, and is active in professional organizations like the International Textile and Apparel Association. Key research themes include consumer creativity, sustainable fashion processes, and social innovation.
Lapolla has exhibited creative works in venues such as the Costume Society of America Symposium and Colored Pencil Society of America exhibitions. Awards include the Rutherford Teaching Challenge Award and ATEXINC Award for Excellence in Marketable Textile Design. She advises graduate students on topics like design thinking and creative research methods in fashion.
Lapolla is affiliated with the TechStyleLAB and Fashion Library initiatives at Kent State University. Her work bridges academic research with community engagement, emphasizing ethical practices and interdisciplinary collaboration.
