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Wilson College of Textiles
Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP)

Staff Bios

Program Director

Photo of Merica Petteway

Merica Petteway currently serves as the Associate Director for Student Recruitment and Engagement within the center for Academic, Career and Student Services at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles. She is entering her sixth year with STEP, having served two years as a program coordinator and now entering her fourth year as program director. Merica’s favorite part of STEP is seeing the participants’ final presentations on Friday, which showcase their hard work, creativity and growth. Even more rewarding for her is watching so many STEP participants go on to enroll at the Wilson College the following fall.

Program Coordinators

Photo of Lucas Wier.

Lucas Wier serves as a Coordinator of Recruitment and Educational Outreach at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles. He is entering his third year as a STEP program coordinator and continues to be energized by the experience each summer. He especially enjoys watching the many friendships that form throughout the week and seeing participants become more comfortable with themselves and with each other. For him, one of the most meaningful parts of STEP is witnessing participants’ growth, not just during the program, but beyond it. It’s always rewarding to see them again on campus after they’ve been admitted, often still connected with the friends they made during STEP and thriving as part of the Wilson College community.

Kara Price serves as a Coordinator of Recruitment and Educational Outreach at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles. She is entering her fourth year as a STEP program coordinator and is also a proud STEP alum herself. Kara enjoys watching participants connect with textiles in unique and meaningful ways throughout the week. Having experienced the program firsthand, she understands just how impactful each activity can be, and loves seeing participants grow into themselves, both personally and academically. One of her favorite parts of the role is running into STEP participants at other campus events during their senior year and seeing them continue their journey at Wilson College.

STEP Counselors

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Angela: Angela is currently majoring in textile engineering with a concentration in information systems. On campus she is a part of the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program, the Textile Technology and Engineering Society (TTES) and Pi Beta Phi. Before coming to NC State she participated in STEP in 2023. Being able to talk to her mentors during STEP was crucial in making her decision that she wanted to go to NC State. She hopes it will be the same for this year’s participants! Angela is looking forward to being a STEP Counselor this year to see how participants enjoy learning about textiles, a field that not many know about, but is crucial to our society. If you ever have the time, always see if you can relate a random object to the textile industry, the results will honestly surprise you!

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Sarah Katherine: Sarah Katherine is majoring in polymer and color chemistry. She loves crafting, working out and hanging out with friends. At NC State, she is a member of the Earth, Wind and Yarn Club and is excited to explore more clubs next year! She is excited to be a STEP counselor and is looking forward to meeting each participant and introducing them to the amazing world of textiles!

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Crista: Crista is a rising junior majoring in fashion and textile management with a concentration in fashion development and product management and a minor in textile technology. She is a member of the Phi Psi Professional Textile Fraternity and currently serves as the vice president of Latinos Unidos en Textiles. She is most looking forward to getting to know all the participants in STEP, learning about their backgrounds and teaching them about the world of textiles.

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Anaís: Anaís is a rising sophomore majoring in fashion and textile management with a concentration in fashion development and product management. She loves being involved in extracurriculars on campus. This past year she was a stylist for the student led fashion magazine “Platform” (an organization housed in the Wilson College). And she was recently been inducted as a brother in Phi Psi, the textile fraternity. During her spare time she likes to listen to and discover new music and play pickleball with her friends. She loves being a part of the textile community at NC State, as it has allowed her to meet all kinds of people. She is excited to help others feel comfortable and involved in the activities that NC State and the Wilson College of Textiles have to offer!