Department History

The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Management (AMM) was founded in the early 1990s in response to the rapid growth and global success of California’s apparel industry.

In 1991, Professors Jean Gipe and Betty Tracy began developing both the AMM degree and the Apparel Technology and Research Center (ATRC) to address the need for a comprehensive program integrating apparel business, production, and distribution.

The ATRC was established in 1992, while the AMM degree was approved by Cal Poly Pomona and the California State University system in 1995.

The program welcomed its first cohort of students in 1996 and earned national recognition in 1997 with professional endorsement from the American Apparel & Footwear Association.

In 2001, AMM became a stand-alone department within the College of Agriculture and has continued to grow through strong faculty leadership, evolving curricula, and expanded academic offerings.

The department is the only fashion program on the West Coast accredited by the Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission (TAPAC), reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and industry relevance.

Today, AMM builds on its legacy of applied learning, research, and global engagement, preparing students to lead in the dynamic international apparel and fashion industry.