For many Southwestern College students, the path to a professional career begins with the right mindset — and the right outfit. That’s the idea behind Suit Up!, a clothing drive designed to help students prepare for job interviews, internships, and networking events with confidence.
The drive is organized by the college’s Men of Color Success and Excellence department, led by program director Dr. Keith Turner and Victor Brown, student success coach, in partnership with Dr. Guadalupe Corona of Student Equity. Together, they’re working to ensure that financial barriers don’t prevent students from making strong first impressions.
The inspiration for Suit Up! came after Southwestern students attended the A2Mend Conference in Los Angeles in March. While the group wore matching polos, they noticed that many other students and professionals were dressed in suits and ties.
“Some SWC students shared that they didn’t own a suit and often relied on the campus’s SWC Cares program for basic needs. That realization sparked the idea for a new effort to help men of color obtain professional clothing and build self-assurance as they enter the workforce,” Turner said.
“Many young men—especially from diverse backgrounds—are leaving college and struggling to find work,” Brown said. “Without professional clothing, even job interviews become a challenge. Together, we can open doors for young men and strengthen our communities.”
The Suit Up! program accepts donations of new or gently used men’s professional attire, including suit jackets, sports coats, dress shirts, ties or bow ties, dress pants, belts, vests, and shoes. Monetary donations are also welcome through the SWC Foundation at bit.ly/SWCSuitDrive.
Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Men of Color Success and Excellence office (Building 70, Room 212), next to Devore Stadium. Donors are encouraged to schedule a drop-off by emailing swcmoc@swccd.edu or calling (619) 421-6700, ext. 5888.
The department hopes to receive donations by Nov. 2 ahead of a professional conference their students will attend, though donations will continue to be accepted until Dec. 12.
Collected items will be distributed to students in the Men of Color program and unhoused students, who will be invited to “shop” for suits at no cost. Any Southwestern College student who does not own a suit—or only has one—may also participate, with priority given to those in the Men of Color program.
Local partners have joined the effort, including Community Health Group, San Diego Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and several business and community leaders from SWC President Dr. Mark Sanchez’s advisory group.
For more information about Suit Up! or to arrange a donation, contact the Men of Color Success and Excellence department at swcmoc@swccd.edu or call (619) 421-6700, ext. 5888.
