March 2025: Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds

Dr. Courtney A. Hammonds, fondly known as the “Dean of Fashion,” began his career as a special education teacher before transitioning into the fashion and HR industries. His early roles include serving as Assistant HR Manager at Neiman Marcus. Later, as the Fashion Program Chair at The Art Institutes, Dr. Hammonds launched the first Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Fashion Design, secured Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation, and managed the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Fashion Marketing. He also organized BFA showcases at New York Fashion Week and led initiatives like the “Gap for Community Colleges” under the Obama administration’s Skills for America’s Future.