Kim to lead Iowa State’s Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management 

AMES, Iowa – Hye-Young Kim has been named professor and chair of Iowa State University’s Department of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management. 

Kim joins Iowa State from the University of Minnesota, where she has spent the past 17 years in various leadership roles. Her positions include serving as director of the retail merchandising program, interim head of the Department of Design, Housing, and Apparel, and professor in retail and consumer studies. Additionally, she is the founding director of the Center for Retail Design and Innovation. 

“Dr. Kim is an accomplished scholar and teacher with the ability to bring together interdisciplinary teams,” said Laura Jolly, Dean and Dean’s Chair of the College of Health and Human Sciences. “She brings an excellent record of community and industry partnerships to this role and is a champion for the student experience.” 

“I’m truly honored by the opportunity to serve in this capacity and excited to join such a vibrant, accomplished academic community,” said Kim.  

Kim will oversee all facets of Iowa State’s fashion design and merchandising, event management and hospitality management programs. The department has a strong focus on experiential learning and operates campus establishments and events such as the Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom, SPARKS Café, Innovate 1858, The Fashion Show and The Conference.  

“Experiential learning is essential in fields like apparel, events and hospitality because these industries thrive on real-world application, creativity and adaptability,” said Kim. “When we combine strong academics with real-world learning, we are not just preparing students for jobs, we are preparing them to lead and innovate.”  

Kim’s scholarship in the areas of consumer behavior and strategic retail management have been in leading academic journals and her research has been recognized numerous times by leading associations such as the International Textile and Apparel Association. 

Dr. Kim tackles pressing industry challenges, such as how AI and the metaverse are transforming consumer engagement. She looks forward to working with faculty, staff and students to collaboratively shape the future of the department. 

“The College of Health and Human Sciences emphasis on interdisciplinary research, outreach and innovation provides an ideal foundation for advancing the department’s impact in research, teaching and engagement,” said Kim. 

Kim has a doctoral degree in retail and consumer sciences with a minor in statistics from the University of Tennessee, a master’s in merchandising from the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s in education from Hongik University in Seoul, South Korea. 

Kim will begin her role on July 1. She succeeds interim chair Linda Niehm, who has served in the role since February 2023 and will remain with the department as a professor. 

About the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management 

The Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management, part of the College of Health and Human Sciences, is home to approximately 550 undergraduates majoring in Fashion Design and Merchandising, Event Management and Hospitality Management. The department offers a master’s degree in Event Management and both master’s and doctoral degrees in Apparel, Merchandising and Design and Hospitality Management, with over 100 students enrolled in the programs. The department includes the Digital Apparel and Textiles Studio, Event Technology and Innovation Lab, Innovate 1858, Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom, SPARKS Cafe, and Textiles and Clothing Museum. Last year, the 29-member faculty team secured over $3.5 million in external funding. The department also includes seven professional and scientific staff members. Community engagement and extension programs are central to the department’s mission.