Emily Worrall PhD

Dr. Emily M.S. Worrall is an Assistant Professor and Department Chair in the Fashion Design and Merchandising Department within the School of Business at St. Catherine University. An educator and apparel entrepreneurship strategist, Dr. Worrall is dedicated to driving innovation in fashion and entrepreneurship education by connecting design, business, and industry practice. As Department Chair, she provides academic leadership, fosters faculty development, and champions inclusive, student-centered learning environments that prepare students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global marketplace. She also serves as the faculty advisor for all fashion internships and the advisor for the Fashion and Business Student Association (FAB), where she mentors students in professional development, industry engagement, and leadership.Dr. Worrall’s research explores innovative pedagogy and entrepreneurship education, with a particular focus on equipping students across disciplines to transform their passions and skills into viable ventures. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that “the only source of knowledge is experience.” She creates dynamic, hands-on learning environments that balance academic rigor with real-world application through industry partnerships, consulting projects, and collaborative coursework.Before joining St. Catherine University, Dr. Worrall taught at Iowa State University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design with a focus on Entrepreneurship. While at Iowa State, she was honored with a Teaching Excellence Award and recognized as a 2025 Women Impacting ISU honoree, earning the title of Champion for her efforts in advancing entrepreneurship and experiential learning in the apparel industry. Dr. Worrall also holds a degree in Fashion Entrepreneurship from Iowa State University and continues to advocate for education as a transformative force that empowers students to lead with creativity, confidence, and purpose.