As a student, designer, and instructor I have received a good amount of critique in my life. Some make you cry, others make you laugh, and others make you laugh eventually.
It’s taken time to come to terms with the good and the bad. Now, I try to teach my students how to comprehend critiques and how to give critiques. Over the years I’ve become a rubric fanatic, because nothing is worse than not knowing expectations. In sum, all aspects of critiques take practice!
Here’s a few:
University of Rhode Island (2011)
“Emily is a talented designer. She is fully engaged with the issues in the world around her and highly motivated. She has set very clear goals for her future. She has a very strong work ethic. Emily is also gracious and kind to everyone, making her a good community member. She has been a penultimate representative for the Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design program at URI, guiding departmental tours and answering program questions from potential students. I strongly recommend Emily Pascoe.” Susan Hannel, PhD, Professor & Honors Adviser
Nike Makers (2012)
“The volume and draping used for the Woman’s boxing rope looked amazing and again it was clear to that it was a boxing robe of sorts but one completely re-designed specifically for a woman.” John Burlo, Design Director Men’s Apparel Nike NSW (2012)
Pantman Inc. (2013)
“You’re a home run!…You saved my life and you are beyond a wonderful person. Thanks, Emily. You definitely elevated a room which needed it.” Neil Semel, Owner & CEO
Montclair State University, TEVAL (2016)
“She gives too many pop quizzes, what is wrong with her!” FS Student, Product Development
I never gave a pop quiz in this course.
Kansas State University, TEVAL (2017)
“Emily did an amazing job as our instructor. She was always very well prepared for class and always had a nice balance of work for us to do. She met everyone’s needs and was extremely helpful. The way she connected with us was very personal and approachable. I would definitely recommend having her teach this course again.” AT Student, Apparel Production 1
“Very, very good teacher. I think she had a lot on her plate being a full time student too but she never let it show! Always showed up prepared to teach the subject matter effectively and was very good at constructive criticism.” AT Student, Apparel Production 1
Kansas State University, TEVAL (2018)
“She expects you to do the work.” AT Student, History of Apparel Fashion
“I love that I now understand the backgrounds on so many trends and styles. She was fully prepared for class every single day and it was clear that she put a ton of time into making each lecture. She is personable and easy to relate to and reach outside of class. She easily could’ve dumped our capstone papers on us and left us to figure them out on our own time — but I felt like the writing workshops really helped me to research effectively and properly learn APA format as well as our annotations, which I’d never had to do before. While I felt like the 15 source/annotation requirement was annoying, I think it was overall helpful to make sure that I didn’t slack off and probably made my paper much better than it would’ve been otherwise. I also thought it was helpful that she had other people come in for the writing workshops that may have been more knowledgeable than herself about those matters — she didn’t just try to wing it and teach us that info possibly half-assed. I also really liked that we turned in the paper in steps because it kept me on track — I KNOW that I would’ve put the entire thing off until the two days before it was due, so I think the quality of my writing benefited from this. She is a really fun but respectable instructor and I truly enjoyed her class!” AT Student, History of Apparel Fashion
Kansas State University, Nomination Form (2019)
“Emily was not afraid to speak up on behalf of graduate students if the focus of the discussion on university committees centered on undergraduate students. She was instrumental in expanding the number of graduate students engaged in the Graduate Student Council so the needs and voices of our diverse student population could be represented… Emily continues to advocate for the needs of graduate students even though she is not currently in a leadership role in GSC.” Carol Shanklin, PhD, Dean of the Graduate School
Kansas State University, Undergraduate Student (2021)
Emily: “What do you think I do for the department?”
Student: “They bring you in when they know we’ve lost hope. When we need to love what we’re doing again.”
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*Evaluations from the Spring 2025 semester were especially meaningful. I had 198 students, and lost use of my arms and left foot over the year. We found abnormalities in my brain, and these folks just kept me going.
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Student Evaluation: Research Methods (2025)
Dr. Oertling is hands down one of the best professors I’ve had at Sac State. She is so relatable and always comes to class with student success as her number one priority. She is so knowledgeable about research methods and presented information in way that was useful and easy to understand. The content I learned in her class benefited me in every other class I was taking this semester. She builds a community within the classroom and I looked forward to coming to her class. Her assignments also reinforce the material and helped me understand the content better.
Dr. O is a phenomenal professor who deserves all of the praise she receives. She used class time efficiently and walked students through exactly what she expected of them. She is very flexible and understanding when it comes to the needs of the students. It is very clear through her teaching style that she loves what she does and genuinely wants to see students succeed.
Student Evaluation: Fashion Sustainability (2025)
Dr. O always enters class with enthusiasm even through challenging times in her life (doctor appointments, leg brace, arm brace, being a parent). Dr. O is exceedingly knowledgeable on the subject matter and does an excellent job presenting information in a concise and understandable way in lectures. The assignments and tests are designed based on the lecture material. The course is explained in detail in the syllabus. Dr. O has a deep care for her students. She is understanding while still holding us to a high standard so we are ways putting out our best work. She encourages her students to continue learning because there is power in education. Dr. O’s sense of humor and relevant knowledge of the culture of her students enables her to attain our attention and pique our interest. She makes the extra effort to check in with her students by walking around the lecture room even though it is difficult. Her resilience, fervent nature, and sincere care for her students make her an excellent instructor. 10/10 would recommend to incoming freshman.
Dr. O is one of the professors that I admire and is very passionate about her students and student coursework. She cares a lot about her student’s mental health awareness which really kept me in a safe place while learning. Along with her own health struggles, she does her very best to help her students for the best way possible.
Dr. O is one of the most understanding and compassionate professors I’ve had in the time I’ve been at Sac State. She truly cares about her students and makes them feel appreicated in fun ways, like her stickers. She made me feel like my efforts in class were worth it and that I’m smart. Truly an amazing professor and person who deserves it all!
Student Evaluation: Clothing & Culture (2025)
Prof. Oertling is someone who really advocates for their students’ success and always makes sure to take the time to clarify any questions or misunderstandings we may have on the course materials and assignments. She is professional and enthusiastic about our course subject, and is always readily available for her students during office hours or through email. I wished there were more instructors on campus that followed her example.
Dr. O was a very great professor—everything that she taught during the lecture online was helpful in understanding what we were meant to focus on the class and final project, she was very helpful if anyone, including myself, was confused about anything or feeling nervous/ anxious about upcoming assignments, and she is overall just very kind and obviously loves her job and what she teaches. Online classes, especially ones that meet on Zoom, aren’t always ideal and sometimes can be difficult to stay engaged, and she did a wonderful job to keep us all interested and entertained when learning through a conference call instead of a classroom. I feel like I have learned a lot and understand a lot more about dress, as well as how us as humans think when it comes to things like dress, and I am glad to have taken this professor for this requirement.
Probationary Faculty Award Nomination Letter (2025)
Students consistently describe Dr. Oertling as engaging, passionate, helpful, organized, knowledgeable, and caring, noting that she goes beyond course content to help them succeed in their college careers and future endeavors.
Emily Oertling 