Faculty Profiles

Housing Design

SHERRI A. GAHRING
Professor, Extension Specialist

Apparel Design Program; Retail Merchandising Program
Department of Design, Housing, and Apparel
352 McNeal Hall

1985 Buford Ave.

St. Paul, MN 55108-6136
(612) 624-1708
sgahring@umn.edu
     

Specialties & Expertise:

     
  • Sustainability for small retailers
  • Community Development and First Impressions
  • Protective clothing for sun exposure and pesticide use
  • Youth development through apparel

Course titles (resident and outreach teaching):

Resident Teach

  • DHA 1221 Fundamentals of Garment Assembly
  • DHA 2214 Softlines Analysis

 

Outreach Teaching

  • Small Store Success Strategies
  • Designing the Future: Community Strategies
  • Sun Safety for Outdoor Workers

Selected Scholarship:

  • Gahring, S., Bruin, M., Martinson, B., & Hannert, A. (2008). Integrating public engagement with community development at the University. Galaxy III National Extension Conference – Refereed conference presentation.
  • Lee, S., Johnson, K., Gahring, S., & Lee, S. (2008). Business strategies of successful rural retailers in competition with large discount retailers. Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, 32(6), 969-979. – Refereed Journal Article
  • Lee, S., Johnson, K., Gahring, S. (2008). Small-town consumers’ disconfirmation of expectations and satisfaction with local independent retailers. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 36(2), 143-157. – Refereed Journal Article
  • Gahring, S., & Pesch, R. (2007). Using evaluation to improve retail analysis and development program. National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals. Philadelphia, PA.—Refereed Paper at Conference
  • Gahring, S. (2007). Sun and heat stress protective clothing for outdoor workers. Midwest Green Expo., Minneapolis Convention Center – Invited Conference Presentation
  • LaBat, K., DeLong, M., Gahring, S., & Lee, P. (2005). A longitudinal study of sun protective attitudes and behaviors. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 33(3), 240-254. – Refereed Journal Article
  • Gahring, S. & LaBat, K. (2004). Evaluation of sun protective practices and attributes of outdoor transportation workers. International Textile and Apparel Association, Portland, Oregon. Available through: www.itaaonline.org. --Refereed presentation in published proceedings.
  • DeLong, M., Gahring, S., Bye, E., & Johnson, K. (2002). Using the Internet to enhance business opportunities in rural areas. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 94(3), 33-38.

Professional, Institutional, and Community Leadership and Service:

  • 2008-09: Extension Community Vitality Honors and Awards Committee
  • 2007-08: Extension Faculty Consultative Committee
  • 2007-08: College of Design Honors and Awards Committee (Chair)
  • 2006-07: MN Textile Center, Education Outreach Chair
  • 2004-09: Co-Program Leader for the Retail Analysis and Development Extension Program

Awards:

  • 2008 College of Design Outstanding Outreach Team Award for Designing the Future: Community Strategies Project
  • 2006 Extension Dean and Director’s Double Bottom Line Award for the Retail and Analysis and Development Program
  • 2005 Extension Dean and Director’s Distinguished Team Award for the Retail and Analysis and Development Program
  • 2005 Minnesota Association for Extension Educators’ Team Award for Retail Analysis and Development Program
  • 2005 Excellence in Extension Community Vitality Programming award for the Retail Analysis and Development Extension Program
  • 2002 Outstanding Support to Minnesota 4-H
  • 2000 Outstanding Contributions to College and Community Award for the College of Human Ecology