The Designer Behind the Vision:
Sophia Macro, a fashion design major with a minor in entrepreneurship for the arts, is
preparing to graduate in the upcoming weeks. During her time at Kent over the past four years, she has become an active player on the women’s rugby team and a member of Kent State’s SURVIVOR student organization, while also working for Kent State Student Media in analytics. In her rising career in fashion, she has completed a study abroad experience and is currently writing a Senior Honors Thesis/Project, covering some of the real-life implications of the fashion industry.
Finding the Right Fit at Kent State:
The Kent State Fashion Program prepares students for a career in the fashion industry by providing a comprehensive curriculum—one of the key factors in Sophia’s decision when touring different programs. Because the fashion industry offers so many paths for specialization, choosing a direction can often feel overwhelming. For Sophia, however, her long-standing passion for fashion gave her a clear sense of purpose. The Kent State senior Honors College student aspires to create clothing that helps people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin.
“When I toured Kent State, I loved how big their facilities were. I loved how diverse the classrooms were, not even in terms of students, but just how I looked in and on the dress form there was a huge couture dress and then on a different dress form there was jeans and a nice sweater.”
A Global Perspective on Fashion:
During her time at Kent, Sophia participated in a study abroad experience in coordination with the School of Fashion and Education Abroad in Paris, France, during Spring 2025. Here, she was encouraged to better and further improve her skills in the many different realms of fashion. The program is very fast-paced and has the ability to allow students to foster a growth mindset by embracing new and challenging opportunities.
“I always knew I wanted to study abroad. This was something that was very important to me in my academic career. And of course, when Kent State introduced the program in Paris, which is the fashion capital of the world, it was such a cool opportunity.”
Passion Meets Purpose in a Senior Honors Thesis/Project:
Students who wish to graduate with a Distinction in Honors from the Kent State University Honors College must complete and successfully defend a Senior Honors Thesis/Project. During her senior year, Sophia has been researching and writing an honors thesis that affects the world of fashion. Her honors thesis surrounds size inclusivity in the industry, with the end goal of making clothes that fit people well.
“I wanted my honors thesis to have real life implications, and that's why I focused on size inclusion. This is something I've been focusing on since my freshman year here at Kent State. It's something I continue to focus on and I don't anticipate I'll just magically give this up once I enter the industry.”
For Sophia, she explains why this project is so important to her and her career, stating, “For me, size inclusion is not just a cause. I don't think it's some kind of huge social revelation. For me, it's just about how we can accommodate the average person. I always kind of get tripped up on this idea of social or cultural things because of its relevance.”
As Sophia concludes her defense for her Senior Honors Thesis/Project, she is preparing to propose her ideas and work to Kent's School of Fashion faculty, as suggested by Dr. Hahn (Assistant Dean of the Arts College) to further provide inclusivity for all.
The Next Chapter Begins:
As Sophia prepares to graduate in the upcoming spring 2026 commencement ceremony, she is already looking ahead to her upcoming career. This summer, Sophia will move further across the Midwest to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for an internship with Kohl's—an American specialty department store—as one of their clothing designers. When discussing why she chose Kohl’s, Sophia explains, “I honestly love the beautiful feeling of home and fashion while also getting to work for a company that makes clothes for all women.”
һԹ the Honors College:
The Kent State University Honors College is part of a long tradition of promoting academically talented students with a unique academic experience. The Kent State University Honors College is an institutional member of the National Collegiate Honors Council and the Mid-East Honors Association. To learn more about the Honors College, visit the Honors College website.
HEADER PHOTO CAPTION: Sophia Macro standing for a photo in front of a red door.
Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312