Source: College of Arts and Sciences
When Toledo, Ohio native Maisie Conrad ’27 first set foot on Indiana University’s Bloomington campus, her decision about where to go to college visit felt instinctive.
“I chose IU because I felt like this was a place where I could grow and explore different paths,” Conrad said. “Which was important since I switched my major twice before discovering Merchandising,” a major offered by the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design within IU’s College of Arts and Sciences.
In addition, she was immediately drawn to the beauty of Bloomington’s campus and the sense of community she felt during her visit. This feeling of belonging has fueled her journey through the College of Arts and Sciences, where she discovered a major that blends her passion for creativity with the realities of today’s economy.
“This major stood out to me because it blends creativity, business, and strategy in a way that connects to both my interests and career goals,” Conrad said. “I also added a Marketing minor to strengthen my understanding of consumer behavior, and together they give me a balance of passion and purpose.”
Conrad noted she’s been particularly inspired by coursework that brings the fashion industry to life for her and her classmates.
“Two of the courses I’ve found most exciting are Materials for Fashion Design and Merchandising, and Manufacturing and Quality Analysis,” she said.
The Materials course gave her both a strategic and a tactile understanding of design. “In Materials, I loved getting hands-on experience with different textiles and learning how fiber content, construction, and finishes impact both design and function,” Conrad explained.
The latter course revealed how products evolve from idea to execution. “Manufacturing and Quality Analysis built on that by showing me how products move from concept to production, and how quality standards are maintained along the way,” she said. “Together, these classes gave me a deeper understanding of the industry from both the creative and technical sides, which has been really engaging and eye-opening.”
A Culture of Connection
Equally important, Conrad said, has been IU’s culture of connection.
“Outside the classroom, some of my most valuable experiences have come from getting involved on campus and building connections with peers and professors,” Conrad noted. “Whether it’s collaborating on group projects, attending guest lectures, or participating in student organizations, these opportunities have allowed me to apply what I’m learning in real time and see how it connects to the broader industry.”
Those experiences have given her confidence as well as invaluable professional skills. “I’ve grown much more confident in my networking and communicating skills, which are just as important as coursework in preparing for a career,” Conrad said.
From Bloomington to a funded summer internship in New York
This past summer she took those lessons to one of the fashion world’s most dynamic stages: New York City.
Through support from the College’s Steve and Jane Malashock Intern Scholarship, Conrad interned with a fashion and accessories brand, Cynthia Rowley, contributing to wholesale operations, behind-the-scenes content creation, and visual storytelling.
“I learned how to translate brand identity into compelling content, strengthened my creative direction skills, and gained real-world insight into the fast-paced fashion industry,” she said. “This experience affirmed my passion for brand development and has prepared me to confidently pursue a creative career in fashion marketing.”
But scholarship was critical in making the opportunity possible.
“Thanks to the Steve and Jane Malashock Intern Scholarship I was able to gain career experience in the arts without the added financial stress,” she said. “Because of the donors’ generosity I could fully focus on learning, growing, and contributing in a meaningful way. This support truly makes a difference in the lives of students like me.”
A lifelong path of creativity
For Conrad, the road to IU’s merchandising program began long before college.
“I am originally from Toledo,” she said. “I was always surrounded by creativity and I spent much of my childhood visiting museums and exploring different forms of visual expression. This early exposure sparked my interest in the arts and design, which eventually led me to fashion.”
Retail jobs during high school and college gave her firsthand insight into customer behavior. “I developed a passion for understanding how people shop and connect with brands,” she said.
Those experiences, paired with her fascination with visual culture, set her on the path she’s now pursuing at IU with clarity.
“These experiences, paired with my interest in visual culture, led me to IU’s Apparel Merchandising program,” she explained. “Studying in the College of Arts and Sciences has allowed me to think critically about how art, media, and commerce intersect.”
Looking ahead
The internship in New York City has given Conrad a clearer vision for the future.
“This experience has been an important step toward my goal of working in fashion branding and buying,” she said. “It deepened my understanding of the industry and gave me the confidence to pursue other creative opportunities.”
With a solid academic foundation and direct industry experience, Conrad is ready to take the next step in her fashion career.