Pittsburg State University has started a new student chapter of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, giving students a chance to explore textile science, materials testing, and applied chemistry beyond the classroom.
“The purpose of the AATCC Student Chapter at Pittsburg State University is to provide students with exposure to the textile materials and applied chemistry industries while connecting classroom learning with real-world applications,” said Dr. Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti, an assistant professor of chemistry and faculty adviser for the chapter.
AATCC helps students with professional development and more.
“The chapter serves as a platform for professional development, industry engagement, research dissemination, and hands-on learning aligned with AATCC’s mission of advancing textile science and innovation,” he said.
The chapter’s executive committee for the 2025–26 academic year includes President Isaac Mountain, Vice President Tatum Carden, Secretary Julia Zeb, and Treasurer Reese Sutulovich.
Gashti said student leadership plays an important role in shaping the future of the organization.
“Since its formation, the chapter has steadily grown through student recruitment, interdisciplinary participation, and integration with ongoing research and applied projects within the chemistry and plastics departments,” he said.
He said involvement in AATCC helps students better understand how what they learn in class applies to real careers.
“Involvement in AATCC allows students to engage with industry standards, emerging technologies and professional networks early in their careers,” Gashti said. “AATCC provides access to technical resources, testing methods, conferences and industry professionals, helping students better understand how academic knowledge translates into industrial practice and innovation.”
The chapter plans to host a variety of academic and professional activities throughout the year.
“The chapter focuses on activities such as invited industry seminars, technical workshops, student-led research presentations, laboratory demonstrations, and participation in professional meetings and symposia,” Gashti said. “Emphasis is placed on applied research, sustainability, materials testing, and emerging textile technologies relevant to both industry and academia.”
Gashti said students who join the chapter gain both technical and communication skills.
“Participation enhances students’ technical knowledge in the textile chemical industry, communication skills and professional confidence,” he said. “Students gain experience presenting research related to textile chemistry, collaborating on textile and polymer projects, networking with industry professionals and learning textile industry–relevant standards and practices.”
He said the experience can prepare students for several career paths.
“It prepares them for careers in the textile industry, graduate school or entrepreneurship,” Gashti said.
The Pitt State chapter has already received national attention. Gashti said it was recently featured on The Voice of the U.S. Textile Industry website, a major publication that covers news and developments in the textile field.
Gashti said the chapter is also helping students connect with professionals outside the university.
“I am currently moderating bimonthly webinars at the AATCC Great Lakes Section and invite industry professionals to share the latest technologies in the textile industry,” he said. “I would be happy to include our students in these webinars as attendees.”
Students interested in attending the webinars can email Gashti directly.
“They can email me their request at mpg@pittstate.edu,” he said.
Gashti said Pitt State students are also helping produce AATCC content.
“We also publish a quarterly newsletter, and several students from Pitt State are leading the newsletter content,” he said.
Looking ahead, Gashti said one of the chapter’s goals is to involve more students across campus.
“The chapter also aims to increase interdisciplinary collaboration and student involvement across campus,” he said.
Gashti encouraged students from different majors to consider joining.
“I would like to encourage our students at Pitt State to join our chapter and take the opportunity to engage with the U.S. textile industry through AATCC,” he said.
Students interested in learning more about the AATCC student chapter can contact Gashti or watch for meeting announcements on campus.