‘Hidden gem with global reach’: Alum prepared by UK merchandising, apparel and textiles program

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 16, 2026) — In her role in the textile manufacturing industry, Katelyn Eubank is “wearing all the hats.” At the University of Kentucky, where she studied merchandising, apparel and textiles (MAT), Eubank learned to adapt to each responsibility and every aspect of the industry.

“I use so much of what I did in school,” Eubank said. “UK prepared me in many ways: technical credibility from lab work and coursework, critical thinking, data-driven decisions, ability to translate science to real-world manufacturing, and adaptability — I would say adaptability is a big one.”

MAT is part of the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Eubank earned her bachelor’s degree in 2016 and master’s degree in 2018. She is now a business development manager for Mornington Corp., working as a liaison between customers in the United States and manufacturers.

“The textile program is a hidden gem with global reach,” Eubank said. “It really, really is.”

Growing up in Lexington, Eubank encountered professionals across industries with something in common: They were UK alumni.

“If they’re UK graduates, then I want to do it,” Eubank said she remembers thinking.

Combined with the beautiful campus, UK’s culture was the perfect fit. Interested in fashion, Eubank decided to study merchandising, expecting to focus on the business aspect of the industry.

When she learned about fabrics and fibers in an entry-level class, Eubank was interested — it was “a different way to look at fashion.” Then she completed an internship at Trunk Club in New York and learned from her colleagues what jobs might be available to her. One of the most intriguing was a textile engineer specialist.

“I have that at my school,” Eubank said she remembers thinking. “I bet I could do that.”

She followed her interest to the UK Textile Testing Lab, which gives students experience and supports the textile and apparel industry through development, testing and evaluation of products.

"The Textile Lab was huge for me. It was very meticulous, and I’m not someone that can sit and do lab work for hours on end, but it really forced me to learn how to be organized, learn how to sit and focus on one aspect of the entire garment,” Eubank said.

Elizabeth Easter, Ph.D., professor and director of the Textile Testing Lab, was an important mentor for Eubank as she continued to study MAT and work in the lab.

“Dr. Easter is incredible, just throwing out all the options that I could do within that field,” Eubank said. “All the professors were so monumental.”

During her master’s degree studies, Eubank focused even more on textiles as she worked on her thesis about mass production of sustainable fabrics. Easter cultivated Eubank’s interest in the supply chain.

“There’s so much that goes into it,” Eubank said. “It’s not just here’s a fiber, here’s the hanger that you put it on and here it comes to the customer.”

Every piece of the process is critical, including fabric development, color, tariff code and freight transportation. Learning about it all was “mind-blowing,” Eubank said.

Thankfully for Eubank, who said she wouldn’t want to focus on just one thing, her job requires knowledge and work across many areas.

In a typical day, she might do a spectrophotometer reading to test color match, evaluate the performance functions (“yes, it can aesthetically look good, but is it going to fall apart?”) and analyze the cost and margins. It’s a “jigsaw puzzle” — and UK prepared her to solve it.

“It is rewarding to know that Katelyn gives credit to the MAT program and the Textile Testing Lab for preparing her to work in the real world of textile and apparel manufacturing,” Easter said. “I am impressed with her success in the industry and look forward to following her career.”

For current MAT students, Eubank recommends building relationships early, with professors, industry partners and classmates.

After graduation she also worked for Galls, a Kentucky-based company that makes uniforms for public safety professionals, and for Chewy, sourcing materials for pet clothing.

“Don’t fear nonlinear career paths,” Eubank said. “Mine wasn’t straight, and it’s been an advantage.”

Eubank said be curious about learning the supply chain and be open to new experiences — like visiting China for work, which she recently did for the first time.

“Say yes to things that stretch you,” Eubank said.

Learn more about the UK merchandising, apparel and textiles bachelor’s degree at www.mgcafe.uky.edu/academics/programs/bachelors/merchandising-apparel-and-textiles.