Winning wardrobe: OSU works to open the Cowboy Career Closet
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Media Contact: Sophia Fahleson | Digital Communications Specialist | 405-744-7063 | sophia.fahleson@okstate.edu
When the time comes to interview for a position, students want to dress for success. But what if they cannot?
To prevent this situation, Oklahoma State University is taking major steps to ensure its students are prepared for the professional world through the new Cowboy Career Closet.
Whether for interviews, internships or job opportunities, the Cowboy Career Closet will serve as an essential resource to help students make a strong impression and feel confident, said Kellie Ebert, director of OSU Career Services.
An initiative aims to raise funds to provide students with professional attire for any situation, Ebert said. The program is set to establish a $3.6 million endowment, ensuring perpetual support for the initiative, she added.
The funds will enable the Cowboy Career Closet to offer a wide range of professional clothing options to OSU students at no cost, eliminating a significant barrier to career success, Ebert said.
“The Cowboy Career Closet is about more than just clothing,” said Teresa Gustafson, OSU Foundation senior director of development and team lead for OSU Agriculture. “It’s about opportunity and access for students.”
Fundraising for the Cowboy Career Closet is ongoing, and once the endowment goal of $3.6 million is reached, a grand opening date will be announced.
Any gift, regardless of the size, matters and can be made in honor of an influential mentor or member of the Cowboy Family, Gustafson said.
Claudia and Gary Humphreys established this endowment with a lead gift and are asking fellow alumni to join them in the effort, Gustafson said.
“As we have opportunity, let us do good for all,” said Claudia Humphreys, 1985 agricultural economics alumna.
The Cowboy Career Closet is more than just clothing because of the opportunities and access it provides, Gustafson said.
“We want every student to feel prepared and empowered as they enter the workforce,” she said. “By providing professional attire, we are helping to level the playing field and remove financial burdens that may prevent students from pursuing their dreams.”
The goal is to relieve students’ financial pressure, allowing them to focus on the event itself instead of worrying about their professional attire, Gustafson said.
The initiative is gaining momentum through collaboration among university staff, alumni and the community, Ebert said.
Raising awareness about the Cowboy Career Closet is a crucial step in achieving the endowment goal and ensuring the program’s success, Claudia Humphreys said.
“The more people understand the impact this resource can have on students’ lives, the more likely they are to support our mission,” she said.
Graduate students from OSU’s career services team echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value such a resource would bring to campus.
Many students face financial hurdles while pursuing their education, Gustafson said, and purchasing professional attire only adds stress.
“By providing access to high-quality, professional wear, the Cowboy Career Closet will ensure students have the opportunity to present themselves more confidently in professional settings with less stress,” Ebert said.
The key investment areas for the initiative include funding for the Student Union space where the program will operate, a program coordinator dedicated to managing the closet and its staff, student interns who will gain retail management experience, display equipment, and supplemental inventory.
“Over the years, I have had many students share with me how they can’t find professional attire for various reasons, including the lack of availability in local stores, not being able to travel to get the attire, or the cost of the clothing,” said Breanna Gallagher, OSU Career Services senior career coordinator. “I’ve seen students decide not to attend a career fair because of the lack of professional clothing.
“That breaks my heart,” she said. “I want every OSU student to have access to professional wear to make a strong first impression at interviews, career fairs or networking opportunities.”
Fundraising for the Cowboy Career Closet is ongoing with a significant milestone in sight, Gustafson said.
Supporters are encouraged to contribute to help OSU meet this goal and provide students with this important resource, she said.
“The Cowboy Career Closet is an investment in students’ futures,” Gustafson said.
As the initiative moves forward, the university remains committed to fostering an environment where students can achieve their goals and aspirations without financial barriers, she said.
With continued community support and advocacy, OSU will make a lasting impact on student success for years to come, Ebert said.
To learn more about supporting the Cowboy Career Closet, please contact Teresa Gustafson at 405-385-5601 or tgustafson@osugiving.com.
Story by Morgan Gravatt | Cowboy Journal