Apparel Merchandising's Cho Receives ITAA Teaching Excellence Award

Apparel merchandising and product development professor Eunjoo Cho has been named winner of the 2026 Teaching Excellence Award given annually by the International Textile & Apparel Association and was also named a Career Connector by the U of A Office of Career Connections.

As a Teaching Academy Fellow, Cho holds the highest distinction for educational leadership at the U of A. She has fundamentally shaped both undergraduate and graduate programs by creating new courses, leveraging service learning and incorporating industry software.

By creating new courses and re-designing coursework, she has innovated curriculum that more effectively bridges the gap between academic learning and industry practice. Cho emphasizes service learning to connect students with small local businesses. These community partnerships provide hands-on experience while creating a strong pipeline for career success, directly expanding internship opportunities and job placements for her graduates.

"Teaching is one of the most rewarding and meaningful aspects of my career," Cho says. "The greatest measure of success is seeing our graduates thrive as leaders, innovators and changemakers across diverse sectors of the fashion industry. Their accomplishments inspire me every day and reaffirm the transformative impact of education." 

Cho secured more than $510,000 in funding for curriculum enhancement, including two grants funded by the United States Department of Agriculture - National Institute of Food and Agriculture and one project funded by Cotton Inc. She is committed to advancing pedagogical practice through her scholarship.

Cho has completed supervision of eight master's and seven honors theses; her students have secured $20,000 in competitive internal and external funding and eight presented their theses at ITAA, with one earning a Paper of Distinction award, reflecting her ability to nurture scholarly excellence and prepare students for impactful careers.

Colleagues and students characterize her as a natural leader, deeply engaging teacher and devoted mentor. Her impact has been formally recognized through 10 teaching excellence awards at the U of A, affirming her sustained commitment to educational innovation and student success. 

As the AMPD Graduate Program coordinator, she has impacted the program by spearheading the development of comprehensive pedagogical frameworks and evaluative instruments, including admissions, assessment, curricular planning, operational governance and quality assurance. Her administrative oversight ensured recruitment and admissions processes remain aligned with both departmental standards and Graduate School policy.

Her contributions to undergraduate and graduate education also include her leadership in organizing and co-hosting the Annual AFLS Student Research Symposium and Poster Competition with Gamma Sigma Delta, a key venue for fostering interdisciplinary discussion and professional development. The AMPD program is part of the School of Human Environmental Sciences in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences, where Cho also serves as assistant dean of the honors program.

"I am deeply grateful and extremely honored to receive the Teaching Excellence Award from the largest professional organization in our field," Cho says. "I have been privileged to work with talented students, supportive colleagues and dedicated mentors who have continually challenged and inspired me. I am proud to share this recognition with my mentors and mentees who have contributed to my academic and professional journey."

Cho was also named a Bumpers College Career Connector after being nominated by students. The notification from the U of A Office of Career Connections says Cho "stands out as the most helpful professor in guiding (students) to explore career opportunities, connecting what they learned in class to real-world skills that employers value and boosting their career-ready confidence. Students commented that you all connected theoretical concepts and research to applied industry uses, helped them explore career paths, develop industry valued career skills and build confidence to network with professionals in the field. For this, the U of A appreciates you!"

A poster featuring a photo and bio of Cho will be displayed at this year's ITAA Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, Florida, in November and included in the ITAA newsletter.

ITAA is a professional educational association composed of scholars, educators and students in the textile, apparel and merchandising disciplines in higher education. It promotes the discovery, dissemination and application of knowledge and is a primary resource for its members in strengthening leadership and service to society.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture. For more information about Bumpers College, visit our website, and follow us Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and X at @BumpersCollege.

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas' economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.