Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
The South Texas College Threads Career Closet has helped hundreds of students and alumni since its inception in 2019 with professional attire for interviews and career-related events.
A recent donation of high-end, brand-name suit coats and shirts, made by STC Vice President of Institutional Advancement and External Affairs Rodney Rodriguez, Ph.D., valued at more than $20,000, will extend this service to even more students across the college’s six campuses.
With students often on a budget, the Threads Closet reflects STC’s caring culture and commitment to student success, so they enter the workforce with access to professional business attire at no cost.
“I want every student and alumni who needs help acquiring professional attire to have this service at their fingertips,” said Rodriguez. “This career closet is improving lives and helping those we serve feel confident when job opportunity calls.”
Known as the best dressed administrator at STC who favors designer suits, Rodriguez knows that a well put together outfit can impact confidence that can lead to success.
“We want our students to feel good going to their interviews and networking with employers. This is their future,” he said. “Plus, we hope that this encourages other STC faculty and staff and our community to also donate professional attire to our career closet to ensure our students always have this resource to utilize. Coming together to donate to this remarkable cause is changing lives for the better.”
This large donation from Rodriguez, will be separated among STC’s Thread Career Closets at Pecan, Mid-Valley, Technology and Health Science Professions campuses.
Celinda Salinas, director of STC’s Career and Employer Services and who oversees STC’s Threads Career Closet, said they are grateful for this generous donation, and she knows the students will be too.
“We are so excited about this donation, and we know our students will be excited to receive something like this. It’s top-notch quality,” said Salinas. “Each and every donation we receive is appreciated, memorable and helping our students and alumni step into interviews and careers with confidence.”
She added it’s a proud moment when she sees the STC community and beyond, come together to serve the college’s students in this manner.
“To see everyone come together, from all walks of life, to give our students and alumni these resources, this service, is humbling,” she said. “To see the look on their faces when they try on a suit and then learn they don’t need to pay, is personally so rewarding. That moment is the ‘why.’ It takes a village, and I’m proud to say that the STC community is our largest donating body for this closet. We are creating change, one professional outfit at a time.”
STC Chemistry student Gabriella Tamez said she has never personally used the Threads Closet, but with graduation around the corner in spring 2027, she knows this resource is going to help her as she interviews for prospective forensic chemistry programs.
“As students, we don’t have a lot of money to spend, and a professional outfit can really set us back,” said the 19-year-old. “I’ve recommended a lot of friends to the closet, and they’ve been helped every time. Knowing that the college and those that donate to the closet, care about us and go that extra mile, is touching. I hope they know they give us peace of mind when it comes to being interview and career-ready.”
The STC Threads Closet accepts donations that are in good condition and ready to wear, throughout the year. Items accepted include, professional suits, jackets and blazers, slacks or dressy pants, skirts, dresses and dress shirts.
To be eligible for this no-cost service, students must be currently enrolled and/or have an active account and approved College Central Network resumé and provide a valid Jaguar student ID.
The closet is open to students and alumni Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information or to learn how to donate, visit studentservices.southtexascollege.edu/careerservices/threads.html or call 956-872-3601.
