More Than a Closet: Confidence, Equity, and Career Readiness
As part of the College of Business (COB) month‑long COB Madness (March) celebration, the COB Closet once again stood out as a powerful reminder of how access to professional resources can meaningfully impact student confidence and career readiness. Hosted by the Student Center for Professional Development (SCPD)and the COB Internships Office, the COB Closet provided free professional attire to students preparing for internships and job opportunities, removing a critical barrier that too often stands between students and their next step forward. This semester’s event was an overwhelming success, serving 230 students in just 90 minutes, averaging 2.5 students per minute. The need was evident even before the doors opened, with the first student arriving an hour early, hopeful for the chance to participate. These numbers reflect not only growth from previous semesters, but also the ongoing and urgent need to ensure equitable access to professional resources for our students. We were especially grateful this year for contributions from Basic Needs, which allowed us to expand our inventory and support even more students. The event was brought to life through the incredible generosity of staff, faculty, mentors, board members, and a community volunteer, all of whom gave their time to ensure students felt supported throughout the experience.
The COB Closet is more than just clothing, it is a statement of inclusive career readiness and a commitment to professional equity. By ensuring students have access to the tools they need to show up with confidence, we are helping to level the playing field and empower the next generation of business leaders.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed, whether through donating their time, sharing items from their own closets, spreading the word through personal networks (including posts on Nextdoor), helping transport donations, or volunteering to assist students with fittings (especially those who might still be learning what a size 15-inch neck size means in comparison to a small, medium, or large). Your collective support truly reflects the heart of the COB community.
