September 22, 2022
SVSU’s new Cardinal Closet supports students with free professional attire
By Walker Wenzel
Saginaw Valley State University recently celebrated the grand opening of the Cardinal Closet, a new initiative led by the Career Services office that allows students to obtain professional attire at no cost.
The Cardinal Closet is one of several programs offered through Career Services that seeks to eliminate barriers and prepare SVSU students to enter the talent pipeline. Now, in addition to resume building and interview preparation, students can visit the office to update their professional wardrobe for interviewing and entering the job market.
All students at SVSU may receive one full outfit from the Cardinal Closet – including a coat, shirt, pants or skirt, and shoes – completely free of charge. The items available have been donated and come in all sizes, and Career Services personnel are available to offer styling advice.
The Cardinal Closet accepts donations of gently used professional attire from anyone in the community.
Perhaps the most striking element of the Cardinal Closet is its layout, which resembles a boutique or thrift store. This trendy design comes from SVSU student Mikayla Wrobel, a social work major from Garden City. Wrobel’s goal was to create a casual atmosphere where interested students can come to browse clothing options.
“Mostly everything that you have seen in the room has come from my vision,” said Wrobel. “I looked at boutiques near Saginaw and that made it easier to know what I wanted to see for the Cardinal Closet.”
Wrobel hopes that the Cardinal Closet will appeal to all types of students, regardless of need.
“I hope that the students notice how open it is and notice how we have all sizes for each and every one of the students on campus,” said Wrobel. “I want the students to be comfortable coming in here and finding what they are looking for when they walk into the closet.”
The Cardinal Closet is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. in Wickes Hall 268. To donate clothes to the Cardinal Closet, please contact cardinalcloset@svsu.edu. To make a monetary contribution, please visit the Cardinal Closet donation page.