By: Wisdom Harlan 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – The Walton Career Closet began in 2010 as a way for students to access professional clothing. Now in 2025, it’s still fulfilling its goal of making professional attire available to University of Arkansas students.

Walton Career Closet shopper Connor Vogt has been using the resource for about a year. As a senior who has already secured a job, he’s now looking for a suit that will last him for years to come. Vogt encourages other students to visit the closet, saying, “Everyone can come in. It doesn’t matter what income level you’re at. We’re all college kids we’re all kind of broke, low-key.”

Clothing inside the closet is sorted by staff to ensure only clean, high-quality items are placed out for students. Each student can select up to four pieces of clothing per semester all at no cost and theirs to keep.

Staff members like Sarah Kern, associate director for Career Connections at the Walton College of Business, aim to help students feel confident when showing up for interviews or presentations.
“It’s not going to be your outfit that differentiates you from somebody else,” Kern said. “It’s your résumé, your pitch and who you are.”

The closet operates entirely on donations from students, faculty, staff and community members. Kern said that accessibility and equality are key parts of the program’s mission.
“I think that access and equality are some of the greatest things about this closet,” she said.

Donations can be dropped off in Willard J. Walker Hall, across from the Harmon Parking Garage.

The closet works in conjunction with the Career Connections Studio, a campus resource that offers professional headshots and résumé assistance to help students prepare for their next step.

The Walton Career Closet is open during the fall semester on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. Staff are available to help with tying ties, fashion advice or anything else students need while in the closet.