New Initiative at TAMIU Keeps Students ‘Well-Suited’ for Workplace
You’ve earned the degree. You’ve crossed the stage as a graduate. Next stop? Job interviews, complete with that sharp suit for men or women ready to move into their career and future.
Part of a Texas A&M University System initiative, a new Texas A&M International University program will help students and graduates to be as well suited as possible through the new Dustdevil Suit Bank. The Bank was made possible by Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and donations by members of the Chancellor’s Century Council, a donor group supporting special projects throughout the A&M System.
Century Council members donated $70,000 to create “suit banks” to lend clothes for student job applicants at the System’s 11 universities. Chancellor Sharp said he supported the concept after Aaron Mitchell, speaker of the Student Senate at Texas A&M University, brought the idea to him. Texas A&M University received $20,000 and each of the System’s 10 regional universities got $5,000 either to start a program, or supplement existing efforts.
“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.”
“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.”
Joshua Llamas, TAMIU president of the Student Government Association (SGA) applauded the effort.
“The TAMIU SGA would like to thank Chancellor Sharp and his Century Council for supporting the efforts of Student Governments all across the A&M System in our commitment to serve and ensure student success. This generous donation provides students the opportunity to better present themselves through proper attire. We’re proud to support this project upholding our cherished values of service and excellence. We’re working closely with the Office of Student Affairs and Career Services to ensure the Dustdevil Suit Bank has a positive and lasting impact here,” Llamas said.
The Chancellor’s Century Council gift provides for an initial inventory of clothing. The University’s Office of Institutional Advancement is aggressively pursuing local matches to expand the gift.
Local members of the Century Council, Tammy and Guillermo “Memo” Treviño, said they were excited to be a part of the Dustdevil Suit Bank.
“Tammy and I are proud to be a part of this new initiative by the Chancellor's Century Council. It is important for our students to make a great first impression when they interview and that can be expensive. This is a clear example of our commitment to truly take students from the classroom to the boardroom. The Dustdevil Suit Bank will help open doors to a better future,” Treviño noted.
Rosanne Palacios, TAMIU vice president for Institutional Advancement, said the University’s Office of Career Services is partnering with the SGA in the Dustdevil Suit Bank’s development.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for students to not only hone their resume and job interview skills, but to dress for success. It’s a powerful way to show our commitment to our students and graduates and to their lifetime of success. We hope they’ll return the favor in the future and help other TAMIU students and graduates with the shirt off their back, so to speak,” Palacios observed.
The Chancellor’s Century Council’s mission is to strengthen linkages between the A&M System and the private sector, provide opportunities for A&M System institutions, contribute financial resources to support the chancellor’s programs, and advise the chancellor on efforts to fulfill its mission and vision.
Established in 1987, it seeks members interested in the future of Texas higher education and maintains that an educated citizenry is the future of the state and the A&M System is committed to ensuring that all students receive a quality education.
To learn more about the TAMIU Student Government Association, contact the Office of Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement at 956.326.2280, email student affairs@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Student Center, Suite 226.
To support the Dustdevil Suit Bank, contact Palacios at 956.326.2178, email rosanne.palacios@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Suite 260.
For more on the Chancellor’s Century Council, go to http://ccc.tamus.org