By Samantha Cohen

The University of Maryland’s Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) held a Professional Clothing Swap event on Friday in the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center. Students exchanged their own professional clothing to access other donated pieces.

SALC serves as the student branch of the Alumni Association with the goal of creating connections between students and alumni, said Kaitlyn Zhou, a junior family science and public policy double major and president of SALC.

Hayley Pinkowitz, a sophomore math and economics double major, is the vice president of campus programming for SALC. Pinkowitz described the members of SALC as “really amazing student leaders who care a lot about the university.”

With students of different ages and from different colleges across campus, being a part of SALC enables members to network with alumni.

“We are here hosting this for students to stop by, do some good to donate back to the clothing swap and walk away with an item or two or a full outfit for the next job interview or internship,” said Rosemary Ligsay, SALC advisor and program manager for engagement and outreach at the Alumni Association. 

The event was both eco-friendly and philanthropic. Members of the Board of Governors, Alumni Association, staff and other guests donated clothing. The clothes left over from the event were donated to A Wider Circle, a local organization whose mission is a “world without poverty.”

Jayla Parrott, a sophomore psychology and information science double major, is the vice president of alumni programming. She browsed and took home some new pieces of clothing and said she appreciated how students benefited from the event while also donating to a greater cause. 

“When it comes to actually purchasing professional clothing, it’s kind of hard to go about it when you’re in college,” Parrott said. “It’s nice to have this resource on campus.”

Zhou said students have the chance to learn about professional opportunities and network through career fairs on campus. However, students may find it difficult to feel physically prepared. 

“What do you need for a successful interview?” Zhou said. “[It] is really the professional clothing, or also if you’re going to get a job, you want to look the part.”

This was the first year that SALC hosted the event, and since there was no official registration process, the event coordinators could not gauge the turnout ahead of time.

Pinkowitz said the turnout was enough to encourage SALC about the event’s future.

“We hope to continue [this event] throughout the year,” Pinkowitz said. “It’s a really great event… connecting students and alumni, and fostering a sense of giving back.”

All photos by Samantha Cohen, April 19, 2024.