Thiel, Grove City Outlets and Simon Property Group Partner to Help Students ‘Dress for Success’

GREENVILLE, Pa.– A new program between Thiel College, Grove City Premium Outlets and Simon Property Group Inc. will ensure students in need have access to a proper professional wardrobe for job and graduate school interviews as well internship applications, the college announced Monday.

The partnership seeks to expand Simon’s Closet, located on campus in the Career Development Center on the first floor of the Howard Miller Student Center. The program will help transform the closet from a simple room into a boutique-style space, which is intended to help students feel comfortable reaching out to ask for assistance in finding appropriate, professional clothing.

“The goal of Simon’s Closet is to help students dress for success and to remove financial barriers that may prevent students in need from looking and feeling their best during the internship and job search process,” said Liza Schaef, director of the Career Development Center at the College. “Professional attire can be expensive, and we want our students to have confidence in their professional appearance as they engage in their internship and job search and launch into the world of work. Students may borrow or keep new and pre-worn suits, blazers, shirts, skirts, ties, and other professional accessories.”

Simon Property Group, owner of Grove City Premium Outlets in Grove City, Pa., has also partnered with their Brooks Brothers Factory Store to be the official donation site accepting new or gently used professional clothing to supply Simon’s Closet. Shoppers who donate professional clothing to the Brooks Brothers Factory Store location will receive 10% off their entire purchase.

“We are thrilled to support Thiel College and their students by providing Simon’s Closet with a beautiful boutique-style dressing room designed to make students feel special and help give them the confidence they need to achieve their career dreams,” said Michele R. Czerwinski, director of marketing and business development at Grove City Premium Outlets.

Clothing donations can also be made on Thiel’s campus by setting up a 30-minute appointment with the Career Development Center at (724)589-2005. Clothing should be recently laundered or dry cleaned. Simon’s Closet cannot accept stained, ripped, or damaged items, items that are not appropriate for professional events, used cosmetics, hosiery, or socks, items that are five years old or older, or worn shoes with scuff marks or missing eyelets and shoelaces.

“The inspiration for Simon’s Closet came from long-time Thiel business professor David Miller who always went above and beyond when it came to ensuring student success,” said Thiel College vice president for communications and marketing Richard Orr. “He made sure that a student of modest means would benefit from the extra boost of confidence that comes from proper interview attire.”

Simon’s Closet will be open for both appointments and walk-in hours. For the Fall 2022 semester, walk-in hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Appointments outside these hours may be scheduled via College Central. All appointments and walk-in customers will have thirty minutes to shop, try on, and select clothing pieces. Students may choose to either borrow or keep a total of three clothing items per academic year at no cost.

Pictured at top: Thiel College Director of the Career Development Center Liza Schaef, Assistant Director of the Career Development Center Olivia Brown; back row: Thiel College Vice President for Communications and Marketing Richard Orr, General Manager at Simon Property Group Carmen DeRose Jr., Director of Marketing and Business Development at Grove City Premium Outlets Michele R. Czerwinski

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.