FIT’s Judy Ellis Named to SUNY’s Distinguished Teaching Professorship

May 13, 2016 | Judith Ellis, founder and chair of the world’s first baccalaureate program in toy design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), has been appointed to the rank of Distinguished Teaching Professor by the State University of New York (SUNY).

Ellis, a 2013 Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductee, launched the toy design program in 1989 and continues to educate socially responsible, professional designers who produce marketable toys that promote child development. The program’s nearly 400 alumni work in various areas of the worldwide toy industry, and her department reports 100 percent job placement. An estimated 3,500 products have been designed by FIT toy design alumni.

Toy Industry Association (TIA) president and CEO Steve Pasierb was one of many who endorsed Ellis for the prestigious rank. In his letter, written on behalf of TIA, Pasierb described the toy design program as “a shining star in the toy industry embodying a good measure of the heart and soul of this exceptionally creative field.”

“Beyond maintaining impeccable high standards for quality of education, under Judy’s leadership the Toy Design Program emphasizes an ethical design approach and deep commitment to community,” Pasierb said regarding Ellis’ appointment. “This is richly-deserved recognition for all the young lives Judy has touched and for her extraordinary contributions to the talent base of the toy industry.”

As a Distinguished Academy member, Ellis will collaborate with other Distinguished Faculty across the SUNY system to encourage leadership development for new faculty and facilitate a continued commitment to quality instruction.