Chancellor’s Century Council Helps ‘Suit’ Job Seekers

Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp, through his Chancellor’s Century Council members, has donated $70,000 to help create “suit banks” to lend clothes for student job applicants at the System’s 11 universities.

Chancellor Sharp said he agreed to support the concept after Aaron Mitchell, Speaker of the Student Senate at Texas A&M University, brought the idea to him.

“The Texas A&M University System is a large family, and family members help one another,” Chancellor Sharp said. “I applaud this student initiative and felt it was worthy of financial support.”

The money comes from the Chancellor’s Century Council, a group of donors who support special projects throughout the Texas A&M System.

“When Chancellor Sharp hears a great idea, he is happy to fund it, especially if it benefits students,” said Kamal Ariss ’83, general chairman of the Chancellor’s Century Council. “Our students, armed with a great education, shouldn’t be held back because they don’t have the money to look their best for a job interview.”

Texas A&M University received $20,000 and each of the System’s ten regional universities got $5,000 either to start a program, or to supplement existing efforts to help job applicants with their wardrobes.

Mitchell said the Texas A&M Student Government Association created the “Career Closet” program after getting the idea at a SEC meeting of student leaders this summer. He said only Mays Business School has a similar program on campus.

“Career Closet” will be a volunteer-driven program that lends suits to students for a nominal fee to cover dry-cleaning, Mitchell said.

The intent is to start the project in Spring 2016 with 50 to 100 professional outfits for men and women, Mitchell said, but also to encourage former students to donate suits with their names on a label stitched inside the clothing.

“It’s Aggies helping Aggies. We are using the Aggie core value of selfless service to help Ags be more competitive in the job market,” Mitchell said. “We don’t want anyone not to be able to pursue their dream because they can’t afford the proper attire.”

The Chancellor’s donation was also welcomed at other A&M System universities.

“We all know that first impressions can be lasting impressions,” said Dr. Emily Cutrer, president of Texas A&M University-Texarkana. “Chancellor Sharp’s suit bank initiative will be a wonderful complement to our Career Services program. We look forward to working with our Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board and Student Life representatives to determine how best to implement the suit bank on our campus. We also are exploring the possibility of partnering with local organizations to augment this program with the collection of gently worn interview apparel.”

Paul York, Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Texas A&M University-Central Texas, which does not yet have such a service, said the initiative would provide an important new resource for students.

“The Office of Career & Professional Development is devoted to helping our students as they find their way to a great career,” York said. “The Chancellor’s commitment to supporting our students through the ‘Suit Bank’ will assist us in making sure that they go into an interview for a career or internship with a look that matches their excellent academic preparation.”