The Power of Partnership: Milliken & Company Spotlight

At NC State University, we recognize that preparing graduate students and postdoctoral scholars for successful careers goes beyond academic excellence—it requires meaningful collaboration with employers who are shaping the future of work. Through the Accelerate to Industry (A2i) program, the NC State Graduate School partners with employers to bridge the gap between advanced research training and real-world career readiness.

These partnerships not only provide organizations with access to top-tier talent but also offer a unique opportunity to influence the professional development of the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Today, we’re excited to spotlight one of our valued partners, Milliken & Company, and the incredible ways they’ve supported NC State graduate students and contributed to the broader A2i community. From participating in Immersion Week to leading Career Insights webinars, Milliken has been a key collaborator in preparing our students for impactful careers.

We recently had the chance to speak with Dr. Jeff Strahan about what drew him to the A2i program, how Milliken is contributing to workforce development, and the many ways he and his colleagues have engaged with our trainees.

Could you provide a brief overview of your role at Milliken & Company and explain how it supports the company’s involvement in graduate student career development initiatives like A2i? 

Milliken & Company is committed to developing the next generation of innovators and leaders across our businesses—whether in textiles, chemistry, flooring, or healthcare. I currently lead three key functions within the Textile Division: Research & Development (R&D), Compliance, and Sustainability. These roles allow me to directly contribute to Milliken’s support of graduate student career development initiatives like Accelerate to Industry (A2i). 

• R&D: I lead a diverse team of scientists and engineers focused on delivering innovative, defensible, and profitable technologies. A key part of my role is mentoring early-career researchers and helping them build industry-relevant skills—an essential focus of A2i.
• Compliance: My team ensures our products and processes meet global regulatory requirements. This role highlights for students the real-world importance of regulatory knowledge and how it contributes to responsible innovation.
• Sustainability: I help align our customers’ sustainability goals with actionable opportunities and technologies, while driving progress toward Milliken’s corporate sustainability targets. This work provides graduate students with a window into how sustainability influences strategy and decision-making in industry.

These responsibilities support A2i by building strong connections with academic institutions and creating pathways for graduate students to gain meaningful insights into industrial careers.

What is Milliken’s vision for supporting graduate students and postdocs through initiatives like A2i?

At Milliken, we see graduate students and postdocs as the future of our industry. Our vision for supporting them through initiatives like A2i is both strategic and personal. 

Reflecting on my own Ph.D. journey at the University of Texas, I remember the uncertainty of transitioning into industry—with little support beyond a basic résumé review. I spent many evenings on my own learning how to network, interview, and apply. That experience motivates me to help students navigate their career paths with greater ease and confidence.

Our vision includes:

• Mentorship and Guidance: We aim to provide meaningful, actionable advice—even for students we won’t hire. Our goal is to help them translate their academic strengths into real-world impact.
• Career Development Resources: A2i allows us to share practical insights about industry expectations, trends, and opportunities to help students make informed decisions.
• Academic-Industry Collaboration: We actively engage with universities to promote knowledge-sharing and innovation, ensuring students gain exposure to current challenges and future opportunities in industry.

We hope our involvement helps graduate students feel empowered in their career search and supported in their professional development—whether or not their path leads to Milliken.

What are some of the key skills and experiences you look for in candidates with a graduate degree?

We value the depth of knowledge, critical thinking, and fresh perspective that graduate degree candidates bring to Milliken. Here’s what we look for:

• Academic Excellence: We value quality, first-author publications that reflect a strong, focused research experience—not just volume. This shows the ability to lead projects and make meaningful contributions to the field.
• Technical Proficiency: A well-defined skills section helps us understand a candidate’s expertise with specific techniques, instruments, software, or processes relevant to our work.
• Applied Experience: Whether through internships, industry collaborations, or consulting projects, candidates who’ve applied their research in real-world settings stand out.
• Initiative: We look for individuals who take ownership of their growth—those who seek out opportunities, lead projects, and pursue continuous learning.
• Communication Skills: Clear, effective communication—both written and verbal—is essential. We value candidates who can explain complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences alike.

Ultimately, we want to hire people who not only push the boundaries of innovation but also elevate the team around them. As a mentor once told me, “Hire people you’d be proud to work for one day.”

Are there any training programs, mentorship opportunities, or career paths Milliken & Company offers that are particularly valuable for A2i participants to know about?

Yes—Milliken offers a range of opportunities tailored for graduate students and postdocs exploring careers in industry:

• PhD Internship Program: We’re launching a PhD-level internship program next year, inspired in part by what we’ve seen at A2i. These internships will give students hands-on experience with real challenges in materials science, sustainability, and innovation.
• Diverse Career Paths: From R&D to regulatory compliance to data science and sustainability, Milliken offers graduate-level talent the opportunity to explore and grow across disciplines.
• Mentorship Programs: Our formal and informal mentoring opportunities pair early-career professionals with experienced leaders who provide guidance and career development support.
• Professional Networking: We encourage participation in conferences, workshops, and internal events that help students grow their professional networks and stay connected to the broader industry.
• Sustainability-Focused Projects: Our sustainability work offers graduate students the chance to work on impactful projects that align with global environmental goals and customer priorities.

We want A2i participants to know that Milliken is not only a place to start a career—but a place to shape one with purpose.

What do you look forward to most about continuing Milliken’s partnership with A2i in the future?

We’re genuinely excited about deepening our partnership with A2i because it creates opportunities for meaningful connection, learning, and talent development.

• Long-Term Relationships: It’s rewarding to attend A2i year after year and watch students grow—seeing someone go from graduate student to full-time industry professional is incredibly fulfilling.
• Talent Development: While we can’t hire every student we meet, A2i increases the likelihood of finding individuals who are the right fit for Milliken’s mission. These events help us build a talent pipeline of smart, driven, and curious professionals. 
• New Perspectives: Graduate students bring energy, creativity, and new ideas. Their perspectives challenge us to keep evolving as a company and keep our thinking fresh.

What excites us most is being part of students’ journeys—whether we work together or simply help them along the way.