Tara Hackett

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

With over 12 years of hands-on industry experience and 7+ years in academia, Tara Hackett offers a comprehensive, well-rounded view of the retail industry. Her diverse expertise spans retail store management, assistant buying, procurement coordination, merchandise planning, and advanced quality assurance. Throughout her career at major corporate brands like Carter’s/OshKosh B’gosh, Citi Trends, and Belk, Tara has excelled at analyzing sales data, forecasting industry trends, managing inventory systems, and executing rigorous regulatory compliance and product testing.

An exceptional communicator and collaborator, she has consistently built strong cross-functional relationships across all organizational levels, from corporate merchants and advertising teams to international manufacturing facilities. Tara's deep passion for retail merchandising and textile sciences ultimately led her to academia. As specialized faculty, she leverages her extensive background to educate students both on campus and abroad through international programs, on the fundamentals of textiles and product development, lead practical lab evaluations, and manage the operational demands of the JMC Historic Textiles and Costume Collection. Committed to student mentorship, Tara actively guides the next generation of apparel industry leaders through tailored career direction, student organizations, competitions, and individual business ventures.

COURSES TAUGHT:

• Perspective in Retail
• Quality Assurance Assessment