Dressing for success
COE provides access to professional wear for education majors in field placements
The College of Education (COE) is piloting a clothing donation and supply operation this fall on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah. Prioritizing students who are seniors and working in their classroom field placements, the program hopes to provide students with an option to select professional, business attire at no cost to assist in meeting the COE and school-based dress codes for working in PK-12 classrooms.
“The COE clothes closet complements the Office of Career and Professional Development initiatives,” said program organizer Janel Smith, Ed.D. “Through the university wide office, students can receive support for graduation and job searches including practice interviews, resume help, and a suit/formal attire for interviews. The Statesboro Campus also has some limited business professional attire available for students.”
Smith, a senior lecturer of middle grades and secondary science education on the Armstrong Campus, said she observed a need for additional support for students to meet the necessary professional wear requirements for the classroom. The initiative started with just a simple request to fellow faculty and staff in the College as well as friends in the local community.
“We want to model what professional wear looks like for the classroom as well as ensure that no student feels that their wardrobe is a barrier to performing well in their field experiences while completing their degree,” she said.
The closet is taking donations from faculty, staff, and the community. Items requested include slacks, skirts, dresses, sport coats, ties, shoes and additional business attire. Donation items can be dropped off at the COE Dean’s Offices on the Armstrong Campus (University Hall, Suite 297) or on the Statesboro Campus (COE, Suite 1100) as well as the Office of Career and Professional Development on the Armstrong Campus in the Student Success Center.
Emails will be sent to education majors with available days and times (as well as the location of where) the closet will be open.
Posted in Community Outreach & Partnership