My documentation

As I look ahead to my Fabricademy 2026 journey, my goal is to deepen my knowledge of textiles and expand my understanding of how material innovation, culture, and design intersect. I am especially excited about the opportunity to explore new fabrication techniques, sustainable material practices, and emerging textile technologies that can inform both creative expression and educational application. Being a part of the NCCU Fab Lab community has already strengthened my passion for collaborative making, experimentation, and interdisciplinary learning, and I hope to build on that experience through Fabricademy’s global network of artists, technologists, and makers. This journey will not only enhance my own creative practice, but will also allow me to bring new insights, skills, and perspectives back to our students and campus community, contributing to innovation, creative empowerment, and culturally grounded design exploration at NCCU.

About me

Hi! I am Dr. Darlene M. Eberhardt-Burke. I currently serve as the Interim Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where I also coordinate the Fashion, Apparel, and Textile Design Studies program. My academic expertise is grounded in textile science, fashion merchandising, and quality analysis, and I hold a Ph.D. in Clothing and Textiles with a minor in Chemistry from Virginia Tech. Throughout my career, I have focused on advancing student success, curriculum innovation, and academic excellence through my leadership roles at NCCU, including department chair and director of Graduate Studies. My research interests include African American dress, apparel management, and protective clothing for healthcare workers, and my work has been supported through multiple grants and teaching awards, including the 2023 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching.

My background

I was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia in the United States. I did a lot of sports such as track, basketball, and a little softball. I ran track in college.

Previous work

For the past 20 years, I have proudly produced and coordinated the NCCU Fashion Design Competition, an annual showcase that highlights the creativity, innovation, and emerging talent of our student designers. This event has served as both a professional learning experience and a creative platform, allowing students to develop collections, present their work publicly, and gain real-world exposure to the fashion industry. Over the years, I have worked closely with students, faculty, campus partners, and community supporters to expand the competition’s visibility, strengthen its educational impact, and create meaningful opportunities for mentorship and creative development. The longevity of this program reflects my deep commitment to nurturing student leadership, cultural expression, and design excellence at an HBCU, while honoring the legacy and creative spirit of North Carolina Central University.

Trashbag Challenge

For Fabricademy, I approach teaching fashion and textiles through multiple avenues that emphasize experimentation, sustainability, and communication. One example is the use of trash-bag design challenges, where students work collaboratively within a limited timeframe to transform discarded materials into wearable or sculptural forms. Through these exercises, students actively engage with concepts of recycling, reuse, and material value while learning to problem-solve under constraints.

These challenges are intentionally structured to mirror real-world design conditions—working in teams, managing time, and adapting to unexpected material behaviors. Equally important, students are required to articulate their design decisions, materials choices, and processes, strengthening their ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently. This approach encourages creativity, critical thinking, and environmental awareness while reinforcing fashion and textile design as both a technical and narrative practice.

Kahoot

I also incorporate game-based learning into my teaching through tools such as Kahoot, Jeopardy, and my own adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which I call Who Wants to Be a Dr. E-B Student. These activities allow students to engage with new and complex information in a non-traditional, low-pressure format that encourages participation, curiosity, and retention. Learning becomes interactive and communal rather than passive.

Beyond games, students regularly work on boards, presentations, and showcases, developing both visual storytelling and professional communication skills. One particularly meaningful moment for me was when my students surprised me with a showcase they created about me. It was an unexpected and deeply proud moment that affirmed the impact of this approach and the relationships built through creative, student-centered learning.

These experiences fuel my commitment to continuously learning new skills and methodologies. I believe that as educators, we must evolve alongside our students, ensuring they are not only technically prepared but also confident, adaptable, and ready for life beyond graduation.