Bioengineering Department Hosts Its First Professional Clothing Pop-Up

The Fischell Department of Bioengineering (BIOE) recently organized its first-ever Professional Clothing Pop-Up, an initiative aimed at promoting inclusion and sustainability. Hosted by Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) graduate student committee members Eva Sinai Landeta Orozco and Alison Veintimilla, the event was designed to provide students access to professional attire for conferences and networking opportunities.

For many students, the finances and logistics of purchasing professional clothing can prove to be a huge challenge. "Buying professional clothing or even understanding what constitutes professional attire was elusive and often felt like something we had to budget for over time,” says Veintimilla on their own experiences purchasing business attire. “Everyone deserves access to professionalism.”.

In order to host a sustainable Professional Clothing Pop-Up, the DIEB team first ran a clothing donation drive over Summer 2024. Generous members of the A. James Clark School of Engineering community donated over 150 clothing items, far exceeding the team’s expectations. Faculty and staff played a major role by donating from their own wardrobes, creating a diverse inventory of professional attire, including suits, blazers, dresses, shoes, and accessories. However, challenges arose in ensuring inclusive sizing and style options. Certain clothing categories were underrepresented, which organizers plan to address in future events.

The event not only provided practical support but boosted confidence for students preparing to attend upcoming conferences and professional networking events, including the 2024 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, which took place in the days after the pop-up. Orozco and Veintimilla emphasized that feeling appropriately dressed can significantly impact students’ assurance and success in these environments.

“Everyone deserves access to professionalism.”

Looking ahead, the DEIB committee is exploring ways to make professional clothing more accessible year-round. They hope to include hosting biannual or monthly pop-ups and creating an online platform where students can view and reserve items. The team is also considering offering small grants or gift cards to supplement the clothing collection, ensuring broader access to items not available during the event.

Orozco and Veintimilla hope the Professional Clothing Pop-Up inspires other departments within the engineering school to explore similar initiatives. They recommend departments start by surveying their student populations to better understand specific needs, such as access to clothing, food security, and housing.

The team's work was supported by BIOE advisors, including Professor Alisa Morss Cylne, Assistant Professor Erika Moore, and Senior Lecturer and Associate Chair of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging Deborah Goldberg, who provided guidance throughout the development process.

Volunteers for future events are welcome, as the team looks to build on this initiative and expand its reach. To get in touch, reach out to Eva Sinai Landeta Orozco (eorozco6@umd.edu) or Alison Veintimilla (aveintim@umd.edu).

Published December 5, 2024