Career Closet Earns Honorable Mention by California Community Colleges Board of Governors

Riverside City College's Career Closet received a 2020 Exemplary Program Honorable Mention award from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors at their meeting in Sacramento on January 13. Six programs were recognized.

Sponsored by the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the Board of Governors established the Exemplary Program Award in 1991 to recognize outstanding community college programs. The statewide Academic Senate selects themes related to the award's traditions and statewide trends. Recognizing the importance of providing support to the student population as a whole, the Academic Senate focused this year's Exemplary Program Award theme on student support services.

 

RCC's Career Closet was created in response to the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office report that 19% of community college students have housing insecurities. The Career Closet was also created in response to the fact that many students not only can't afford professional clothing but also do not know how to dress for interviews. Volunteer faculty and staff focus on providing assistance to students in selecting appropriate attire for a professional look.

 

The Career Closet provides students attire for professional, academic and personal opportunities in an equitable, inclusive and stigma-free manner. The boutique style of The Career Closet invites students to shop for clothes without a charity feeling. The friendly and encouraging environment creates a fun and inviting means of distributing clothing.  

Donations of gently used, clean and professional clothing are accepted throughout the year. For more information on how to donate, contact Anderson-McDade at Meriel.Anderson-McDade@rcc.edu or (951) 222-8647.