As graduation looms for college students across the state, many are getting ready for job interviews, but finding the appropriate clothing for interviews, internships and other professional opportunities can be difficult as well as expensive. To help students look their best, NHTI–Concord’s Community College opened Lynx Closet, which offers business attire for free.
“Clothing can be expensive, and professional clothing even more so. To be able to provide it free of charge adds a vital resource to our campus and allows us to go above and beyond to serve our students and empower their success,” says Elizabeth Lawton, NHTI’s administrative assistant to the president and leader of the Lynx Closet initiative.
Located in Little Hall next to the established Lynx Pantry, the Lynx Closet offers workplace-appropriate clothing, including suits, dresses, shoes, bags and accessories, for all genders and in a variety of sizes. Students can take the clothing free of charge whenever the Lynx Closet is open. The clothing is gathered through donations.
“Clothing insecurity is a pervasive issue in our community, and we do not want a single student feeling as though they are unable to search for and accept employment due to a lack of professional clothing,” says NHTI President Patrick Tompkins.
“The success of our students is paramount, and this new free on-campus resource gives our students and recent graduates options to help them be successful.”
The Lynx Closet joins the Lynx Pantry, the on-campus food pantry established in 2019 that offers all campus community members access to non-perishable, shelf-stable food, personal care items and perishable (fruits, vegetables, bread, refrigerated and frozen) food options.
NHTI’s Lynx Closet joins other professional clothing providers within the Community College System of NH, such as the Community Marketplace located at Lakes Region Community College. The grand opening of the space was held March 21. Donations are being accepted by Lawton in NHTI’s President’s Office.
For more information, visit nhti.edu/campus-life/wellness-resources/lynx-pantry-lynx-closet.
Current Issue - June 2023