The local Colorado Mesa University University campus is aiming to set students up for success as they look to get experience and transition into the workforce.

The university has set up a Business Closet program designed to help students get off to a running start in their career by supplying them with professional wardrobe options. CMU hosted a student event last Thursday, highlighting the program.

The program was started in the summer of 2022, by a student board initiative, to provide professional attire for students needing to be sharply dressed for job interviews, business events, work settings, and more.

Sadie Saad, the Director of Career Services at CMU, explained how the need for the closet was initially found.

“One of our students was interning; and was asked to go to a networking event. And when she went to that event, she realized that some of the people weren’t going because they said they didn’t have professional wear, they couldn’t afford it at that point”, said Saad.

A mannequin is dressed with an example of a professional outfit, which students can access at Colorado Mesa University’s Business Closet.
(Gunnison Clamp for the MBT)

She explained that “The business closet resource is for all of the CMU students to dress for success. Whether that’s a presentation or an interview, you name it, that they are confidently ready to go out into the workforce.

And to be able to launch into their career feeling confident.”

A key sponsor of the program is Timberline Bank, who was one of the founding sponsors when the ball got rolling on the main campus in Grand Junction.

Timberline supports the Montrose campus just as they do the main campus. Scott Wittman, president of Montrose’s Timberline Bank branch, spoke to how they’ve been able to help.

“We support CMU in so many ways and this is just another opportunity to support them for a great cause”, said Wittman. “Being able to help them be able to get to the interviews; it’s just one more thing for our community to be positive about.”

Kayla Stack, a current student of CMU and operations manager for the Business Closet also spoke about how the closet helps.

“I plan on using it, have used it, just to continue further in my career. This is just an all-encompassing start to finish help, without the financial burden.”

Stack emphasized the financial side, noting that some students may be in financial situations that may not allow for purchase of more expensive professional wear.

“We have taken that pain point away”, she said.

She continued, going over the options available to students.

“We have all sizes of pants, shirts, anything, we also have accessories. Men’s, we have your ties and your belts, women’s, we have jewelry, purses. And it’s free to keep too, that’s one thing I really want to stress the importance of.”

The program has already proven useful for students in the so far short but effective tenure, and is open to all CMU students.

Saad talked more about the big steps made so far.

“Because we live in communities that are so willing to give, that initiative was full speed ahead, and the operations have now grown into a team of seven students that are still spearheading the main mission of helping professionalism.”

She spoke to the future of the program, stating the hope is that soon, more industry-specific clothing, such as scrubs for healthcare workers, will be available as part of the Business Closet. “

We really are looking for partners in our community that can help provide those resources”, Sadie said.

More information on the Business Closet can be found at coloradomesa.edu/career/business-closet, or 970-248-1404.

Gunnison Clamp is a freelance contributor for the Montrose Business Times.