Ragsdale Presents Outstanding Research at a Marketing Conference

On April 1, 2025, Sarah Ragsdale, a student in the Immersive Master of Business Administration program at East Carolina University, presented her Zoom research at the Association of Marketing Theory & Practice (AMTP) Conference, held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While the conference typically features only doctoral students and academic scholars, Sarah’s paper was an exceptional entry.

Her “Acquisition, Consumption, and Disposal of Clothing” project was originally developed as a term paper for the Spring 2024 Consumer Behavior class. Coauthored with Dr. Trang Tran and fellow student Lillian Willoughby, the research explored the full lifecycle of clothing from a consumer’s perspective—why people buy clothes, how they use them, and the factors influencing their decisions to discard them. The paper was selected as one of the top submissions in the course for its depth, relevance, and innovative approach.

Despite presenting remotely, Sarah delivered her research with clarity, confidence, and a strong command of the subject. Her insights on sustainable fashion and evolving consumer attitudes sparked thoughtful discussion among attendees. Her participation in the conference highlighted her academic excellence and the strength of East Carolina University’s MBA program. For Sarah Ragsdale, the event marked an exciting step forward in her academic and professional journey.