Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Frank.
Hi Jennifer, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My name is Jennifer Frank, and I am a Fashion Merchandising Professor at Youngstown State University. This is my 15th year there. I have become known as the “Body Positivity Professor” around campus. In 2012, we lost a student, Danielle Peters, to an eating disorder. We host the EveryBODY Fashion Show in her honor since the year after her passing. We feature models of all shapes and sizes on the runway. Our goal is to help at least one person struggling with an eating disorder to seek help. I have also worked hard to incorporate a lot of positivity body image into our courses and our program. The fashion industry has been known for years to have a strong focus on unhealthy lifestyles. We have seen tremendous progress in the past few years and that is wonderful. I hope to see more focus on healthy models in the future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been bumpy at times. Fashion is still seen by many as a “silly” course of study. I take our program to area high schools and local community events to show that the opposite is true. We do volunteer work with the Rescue Mission in our area to provide clothes and toiletries to the homeless in our community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most known for being a mentor to my students. I am a proud recipient of the “Mentor of the Year” award at our annual awards ceremony. It was one of the best honors in my life. Being a professor is more to me than teaching terms and facts. A big part of it is being there to inspire my students and help them achieve their dreams.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned is one that I share daily with my students-never give up. Life throws a lot of stress and negativity at you, but you have to keep going and keep believing in yourself and your value.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ysu.edu
- Instagram: @ysufashion_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-frank-b91b45b9/
Image Credits
Lisa Acierno
