May 5, 2026
A visible, student-centered initiative connects access, timing and community support
Grand Rapids Community College students preparing for graduation and career opportunities found more than clothing at the Grad Closet Pop-Up held on April 29 in the Student Success Center.
Organized through the Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs (WCIMA), the event created an open, accessible space where students could select free professional attire for commencement, job interviews, internships and fellowships.
Meeting Students Where They Are
The idea behind the event was simple: remove barriers and meet students where they are.
While GRCC already offers resources through the From One to Another second-hand store, the Grad Closet Pop-Up focuses on visibility and timing bringing those resources directly into a high-traffic space during a key moment in the semester.
“This is what access actually looks like no barriers, just showing up,” said Joel Reyes Hernandez, ALAS program coordinator at WCIMA.
Clothing racks filled with donated blazers, dress shirts, pants and shoes lined the space. Students moved through the pop-up at their own pace, trying on items, asking questions, and selecting pieces that aligned with their next steps.
Throughout the three-hour event, participation remained steady, with students continuously entering the space and engaging with available resources.
The initiative was led by Reyes Hernandez, who worked to activate existing campus resources in a more visible and immediate way. “We already have the resources. The work is making sure students can see them and access them when it matters.”
Showing Up When It Matters
Beyond providing clothing, the event created a space for interaction and support. Staff and volunteers were present throughout, helping students think through what they needed and how they wanted to present themselves in upcoming opportunities.
“Students came in looking for something simple to wear. They walked out with confidence," said Reyes Hernandez.
Community support played a key role in the event’s success. Donations from faculty, staff and local supporters made it possible to offer a wide range of clothing options at no cost to students.
The event also highlighted the impact of small, intentional interventions. By removing the need for appointments or formal processes, the pop-up created a low-barrier environment that encouraged participation.
“When the community shows up for students, everything changes.”
Organizers see this as more than a one-time effort. The success of the Grad Closet Pop-Up has opened conversations about expanding the initiative into a recurring model, potentially offered multiple times each academic year.
The approach reflects a broader shift toward making student resources not only available, but visible, timely and easy to access.
“This is not just about clothing. It’s about how we show up for students in the moments that matter,” said Reyes Hernandez.
Visit the Woodrick Center's web page to learn more about how they support students and to see the latest news.