FAMU Partners With JCPenney to Help Students Dress for Success
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Posted By: Reginald Claremont on September 23, 2026 More than 250 Florida A&M University students received support in preparing for upcoming career opportunities through the Suit Up JCPenney event, which provided access to discounted professional attire, gift cards and other resources ahead of the University’s Fall 2026 Career and Internship Expo, which is scheduled Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. in the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. Hosted through the School of Business and Industry’s Career and Professional Development Services, the Suit Up JCPenney welcomed 257 students for an evening of shopping, music and giveaways at JCPenney in Tallahassee’s Governor’s Square Mall. Students received 30% off eligible purchases in addition to a 30% off coupon, providing additional savings as they shopped for professional attire. “Because professional attire is an important component of career preparation, SBI wanted to ensure that our students have access to appropriate clothing as they participate in these experiences,” said Vanessa Chatman, associate director of Career and Professional Development Services in FAMU’s School of Business and Industry. “We also intentionally chose to open the event to students from across the University so that the broader FAMU community can benefit from this opportunity.” SBI also distributed $1,875 in JCPenney gift cards to help students offset the cost of professional attire as they prepare for internships, interviews, career fairs and other opportunities to connect with employers. The event is part of FAMU’s broader effort to ensure students have access to resources that complement their academic preparation and help them navigate professional environments. Preparing Students for Professional Opportunities Career preparation extends beyond the classroom. As students pursue internships, attend interviews and meet prospective employers, understanding how to present themselves professionally can be an important part of the process. Through the JCPenney partnership, students from across the University had an opportunity to shop for professional clothing with additional discounts. To further increase access, shuttle transportation was provided to take students to and from JCPenney, helping ensure that students without reliable transportation could still participate in the event. For Gabrielle Jefferson, a first-year biology pre-medical student from Evans, Georgia, Suit Up provided access to professional attire as she adjusts to college life away from home. As an out-of-state student, Jefferson said the transportation provided through the event made the opportunity particularly meaningful. “It means a lot as an out-of-state freshman,” Jefferson said. “It is awesome that they put this event together to make professional attire more accessible to students, especially with no means of transportation.” For fourth-year accounting student Jerome Parris of Miami, Fla., Suit Up represented something different: a full-circle moment. Parris first participated in the event in 2023, when he purchased his first suit while preparing for FAMU’s Career and Internship Expo. “I bought my first suit here before the Career and Internship Expo in 2023, and that really helped me secure my internship,” said Parris, who went on to become an accounts receivable intern at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Three years later, Parris returned to the event in a different role. As a member of the Omega Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity, he volunteered alongside his fraternity brothers to help other students participate in the event. “JCPenney partnering with us to host the Suit Up event creates more avenues for students like me to be dressed for success,” Parris said. Building Opportunities Through Partnership The partnership also allows JCPenney to connect directly with FAMU students as they prepare to enter internships and the workforce. Toni Norsworthy-Davis, general manager of the JCPenney location at Governor’s Square Mall, said the goal extends beyond helping students find the right outfit. “As a manager at JCPenney, I hope students take away more than just professional clothing,” Norsworthy-Davis said. “I want them to leave with greater confidence and a stronger understanding of what it means to present themselves professionally.” Norsworthy-Davis said something as simple as finding the right professional attire can affect how students feel as they enter new spaces. “When you dress well, it helps build your confidence,” she said. Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom The Suit Up event comes as FAMU students prepare for the Fall 2026 Career and Internship Expo, where they will have opportunities to connect with employers and explore internships and career opportunities. For many students, deciding what to wear can be one of the first questions that comes with preparing for an event of that scale. “Suit Up helps address one of the questions students often have as they prepare for the Career Expo: ‘What should I wear?’” said Tamara Taylor, director of FAMU’s Career and Professional Development Center. “Professional appearance is part of making a strong first impression, and opportunities like Suit Up can help students better understand how to present themselves professionally while still feeling confident and authentic.” While Suit Up provides students with an opportunity to purchase professional attire at a reduced cost, FAMU is also expanding resources designed to address students’ longer-term career wardrobe needs. The Career and Professional Development Center is launching The Career Collection, powered by MyCareerCloset, a virtual career closet designed to provide eligible students with two business suits at no cost, along with styling and measurement assistance. Together, initiatives such as Suit Up and The Career Collection expand the resources available to FAMU students as they move from the classroom into internships, interviews and the workforce, helping ensure they can focus on showcasing their skills, experiences and potential when opportunities arise. FAMU Fall 2026 Career and Internship Expo Hosted by FAMU’s Career and Professional Development Center, the FAMU Fall 2026 Career and Internship Expo will be held Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center in Tallahassee. The career fair will provide students with an opportunity to connect with employers and explore career and internship opportunities. For additional information and updates about the Fall 2026 Career and Internship Expo, visit the Career and Professional Development Center’s Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/hirearattler_/ If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Reginald Claremont
President, Fulfillment and Web Services, HBCUCONNECT Clark Atlanta University class of 1998 Member Since September 2000 |
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