Operated by University Career Services, the Career Closet provides professional attire for interviews, career fairs, conferences, and other opportunities. Students may select up to four items per semester, but the expanded visit policy allows them to return if they don’t find everything they need during their first appointment.

鈥淎llowing up to three visits also recognizes that a student’s professional clothing needs may change throughout the semester,鈥� said Michelle Marshall, career specialist at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. 鈥淎 student may find a blouse or shirt during their first visit but not find pants or a blazer in their size. They may also visit earlier in the semester when the weather is warmer and later need a heavier blazer or other professional piece as the season changes. Providing multiple visits gives students flexibility to build their professional wardrobe over time.鈥�

The Career Closet is open by appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Students can schedule a 30-minute appointment through Handshake — an online platform operated by University Career Services — to browse available clothing, try on items, and receive assistance from student support staff.

Use of the Career Closet has grown in recent years. The closet recorded 96 completed appointments in fiscal year 2024, but roughly doubled that, to 188, in fiscal year 2026. The figures represent appointments rather than individual students because students may visit more than once per year.

Established in 2016, the Career Closet was created to help students access professional attire and understand appropriate dress for interviews and other professional opportunities. Dr. Aaron Duvall, executive director of workforce development, said the resource can be particularly valuable for students preparing to advance in their careers.

鈥淭he majority of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock students are already in the workforce,鈥� Duvall said. 鈥淢any students are nontraditional, and as they finish certificate programs or degrees, they are ready for career advancement. The Career Closet allows students to have access to formal wear that can be expensive to purchase on their own.鈥�

Students use the Career Closet for a variety of professional opportunities, but Marshall said job and internship interviews are among the most common reasons students visit. She encourages students to take advantage of the resource before they have an immediate need for professional clothing.

鈥淢any times, students are coming in shortly before that interview, so they feel rushed to find something,鈥� Marshall said. 鈥淭hat’s why I encourage students not to wait until they have an interview scheduled to visit the Career Closet. Come in early, explore what we have, and find professional attire ahead of time.鈥�

While Career Services assesses its current inventory and student needs, Marshall said one of the best ways the campus community can support the Career Closet is by helping spread the word about the resource.

Meaghan Milliorn, senior director of web strategy and operations at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, recently donated several skirts and dresses to the Career Closet after realizing she no longer wore them.

鈥淚 loved the idea of donating them to students who may need some professional clothes,鈥� Milliorn said. 鈥淚 know it’s hard to buy nice clothes for an interview or presentation when you’re a student, so if I can do one small thing to help out, I am happy to do that!鈥�

Milliorn said the donation process was simple, requiring her to fill out an online form and schedule a drop-off time.

For Marshall, one interaction with a student demonstrated the difference that access can make.

鈥淥ne experience that stands out to me involved a plus-size student who found a dress and blazer that worked for her,鈥� Marshall said. 鈥淎s a plus-size woman myself, I understand that it can sometimes be difficult to walk into a clothing store and find professional attire that fits well and makes you feel comfortable and confident. Seeing how excited she was to find something that worked for her really stayed with me.鈥�

Students interested in visiting the Trojan Career Closet can find more information on the Career Closet website.

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The event will take place at the JCPenney at Shackleford Crossing (2600 S. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock, AR 72205) from 3-6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 15.

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock will receive an extra 30% off coupon when they show their university ID. The coupon can be used either in-store or online for purchases of business attire and accessories until November 3.

A number of suits, dress shirts and pants, dresses, tops and sweaters, skirts, shoes, accessories, and more are eligible for the 30% off discount. To see what specific items the coupon applies to, .

The most popular items each year are business-attire basics such as black pants and blazers, said Brittany Straw, director of University Career Services.

Although last year鈥檚 event was the first in-person Trojan Suit-Up event, JCPenney has been partnering with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock since 2021. Since the partnership began, more than 120 community members have utilized the discount on business apparel.

鈥淛CPenney is excited to be partnering with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock once again for our Suit-Up event,鈥� said Joshua Tisdale, the store manager of JCPenney at Shackleford Crossing. 鈥淲e take pride in being able to provide the best looks in fashion and comfort at an incredible price. This year, once again, students will have the opportunity to shop our location and partner with our amazing associates to help them find the career looks that they are looking for. We have specialists available who will be able to help them find the right fit, style, size, and color for their next interview or professional event.鈥�

For the first time, the University Career Services team will be giving away door prizes every hour at the Sept. 15 event.

For students who are unable to attend, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock also offers the Trojan Career Closet, stocked and organized with free business apparel and available to all current students, regardless of their major. To visit the Trojan Career Closet, set up an appointment by emailing Cynthia Wallace in the School of Business at cgwallace@ualr.edu.

Students can also schedule a 鈥淒ress for Success鈥� appointment on with the University Career Services team to discuss and/or review attire for career fairs and job interviews.

For additional information or questions, contact University Career Services Director Brittany Straw at bstraw@ualr.edu.

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