Tutor Biographies
Current Tutor News
Kerry Gibbons
Kerry was recently hired as a tailor on the upcoming production of the musical “Monsoon
Wedding” which will be opening in May 2023 at St. Ann’s Warehouse in Brooklyn, NY.
Ching Chin
Ching recently took oil painting classes at the Art Student’s League of New York.
Her paintings were exhibited for two weeks in March 2023.
Beatrice Nicolini
Beatrice will be graduating from FIT with an Associate’s degree in Advertising and
Marketing Communications
in May, 2023. She will continue on at FIT to earn a Bachelor’s degree in the same
major.
Genia Charles
Genia, who is currently a junior in the Footwear and Accessories Design major at FIT,
recently got a
summer internship with Steve Madden for handbag design.
Hairuo Yi
Hairuo recently received a Master of Arts in Economics from Columbia University in
New York City.
Tessa Kent
Tessa, is graduating with a BA in Fashion Design, was chosen as this year's Salutatorian.
Yukti Poddar
Yukti just won the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for 2023!
Tutor Bios
Abigail Brooks
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology
(Textile/Surface Design in progress)
Subjects: Art History, Mathematics, Textile Design, Textile Science
Advice for Students: Look around you and allow yourself to be inspired. Your coursework will become an
outlet for you.
Christine Yeh
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology (Computer Animation and Interactive Media)
Subjects: Computer Graphics, 3D software, Mandarin Chinese
Advice for Students: Aim high and be patient.
Deborah Clark
BA, Fashion Institute of Technology (Fashion Design)
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology (Accessories Design)
Presidential Scholar, Magna Cum Laude
AAS, Washington State University (Interior Design)
Subjects: Fashion Design, Computer Graphics, Accessories Design, Textile Design
Advice for Students: Follow your dreams and don't step on others as you grow because you will meet them
again. Be the better-spirited person.
Jane Talcott
BFA, Rhode Island School of Design (Textile Design)
Subjects: Textile Design woven/prints, Computer Graphics
Advice for Students: Keep a sketchbook, develop your vision, play with software tools without an agenda
for short periods consistently. Watch tutorials and investigate the marketplace and
exhibitions.
Johnny Ng
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology (Computer Animation and Interactive Media); MFA,
School of Visual Arts (Computer Arts)
Subjects: Computer Animation, Graphic Design
Advice for Students: Study hard, have a lot of patience, and be creative. Also, pursue some of your
education outside of FIT because that will open you up to even more opportunities.
June Isshiki
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology (Computer Animation and Interactive Media)
Subjects: 3D software, Adobe software, Japanese
Advice for Students: Be positive and take care of your mental health.
Kerry Gibbons
BS, Georgetown University, MFA California Institute of the Arts
Subjects: Mathematics, Fashion Design, Illustration, Computer Software
Advice for Students: Get organized and your workload will become much more manageable.
Rhea Wadhwa
MPS, Global Fashion Management, 2024
Subject: Math, Economics, Fashion Business Management, Production Management
Advice for FIT Students: Visit the career center at FIT, it's a great resource.
Russell Jenkins
BA, Rutgers University (Economics)
Subjects: Economics, Mathematics, Microsoft Office
Advice for Students: Allow yourself to think of your course work (especially those classes which are
required but not directly related to your major) as the "broader tapestry/medium"
in which you have to work and create.
Shiyu Zuo (Phoebe)
BFA, Fashion Institute of Technology ( Fashion Design Knitwear)
Subjects: Fashion Design Development (Draping, Patternmaking, construction, CAD, Adobe Photoshop
and Illustrator, fashion illustrator, Mandarin Chinese
Advise for FIT Students: Work smarter not harder
Sunzeyun Wang (Xia)
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology (Fashion Design)
Subject: Draping and Sewing for 1st year students
Advice for Students: Enjoy the learning process and you will accumulate more knowledge
and be happier.
Tessa Kent
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology (Fashion Design, in progress)
Subject: Fashion Design, Art History, Psychology
Advice for Students: Never be afraid to take risks or make mistakes. Sometimes you learn the most from
your mistakes.
Yasmeen Khalifa
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, (Advertising and Marketing Communications)
BA, AMC in progress
Subject: AMC, Economics, Statistics, Computer Applications
Advice for FIT Students: Always stay on top of your work and deadlines using planners or Google calendar
Yukti Poddar
AAS, Fashion Institute of Technology, (Communication Design)
Subject: Computer Graphics, Art History, Mathematics
Advice for Students: Stay involve on campus and make lots of connections!