Stepping into the classroom for the first time as a future educator presents a significant milestone in the path to becoming a teacher. However, for some students, the challenge lies in having the appropriate attire. To bridge this gap, Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Education and Applied Human Sciences (CEAHS) introduced the Clinical Closet, a new initiative providing free professional clothing, shoes and accessories for education students. As EKU continues its legacy of shaping future educators, the Clinical Closet helps students step confidently into classrooms and careers.
“At EKU, we are committed to removing the barriers that stand between our students and their career goals,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “The Clinical Closet is a perfect example of how our community comes together to support our students and innovate ways to ensure they have what they need to succeed. We take great pride in preparing the next generation of teachers, and this initiative highlights our dedication to getting quality educators in classrooms throughout the Commonwealth.”
According to the Kentucky Department of Education, 13% of all teaching vacancies for the 2023-24 school year remained unfilled, reflecting ongoing staffing challenges in the state’s education system.
Since its launch at the beginning of the semester, the Clinical Closet has already provided professional attire to more than 30 students, offering much-needed support for education majors who may not have the financial means to purchase professional attire for their clinicals and interviews.
“I’ve seen students drop the clinical course because of financial struggles,” said EKU Clinical Placement Coordinator Abby Huber, who spearheaded the Clinical Closet initiative. “The students inspired me to start this project.”
Thanks to the generosity of Model Laboratory School and EKU faculty, students and community members, nearly 400 donations of men’s and women’s clothing have helped to fill the closet. A $700 grant from EKU’s Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership (TLEL) Department secured over 150 additional pieces of clothing, furthering the initiative’s mission. Education students can select two complete outfits for clinicals, interviews or any professional setting, and they get to keep them as they build their résumés and careers.
For Charlotte White, an English and History Education major from Lexington, Kentucky, EKU was the perfect fit because of its reputation in teacher education and her desire to continue the legacy of educators in her family. As she began her clinicals this semester, she knew she was on the right career path. For White and others, the on-campus convenience of the Clinical Closet removed the stress of finding business casual clothing and eliminated a potential obstacle to participating in the clinicals.
“Clinical Closet prepared me for my observations. I’m a freshman, so having that assistance was a great help because I don’t have easy access to stores,” said White. “Without the Clinical Closet, I would be financially unstable and worried about my clinicals. I loved going because everyone was kind and assisted me with the correct attire.”
Huber said the faculty and staff at EKU are passionate about helping students feel secure in starting their careers. She emphasized the importance of the Clinical Closet initiative, with more than half of EKU’s Fall 2024 incoming freshman class being first-generation college students.
The Clinical Closet is just one of the many ways EKU works to support future educators. The Classroom in a Box initiative, providing students with free classroom supplies, reinforces a commitment to setting education majors up for success. Whether it’s ensuring students have the resources to outfit their classrooms or themselves, EKU continues to eliminate barriers to success.
Financial contributions to the College of Education and Applied Human Sciences Development Fund support the Classroom in a Box, Clinical Closet and other College initiatives. Donors and the campus community are encouraged to support EKU with a gift of any amount to the fund of their choice on Giving Day, Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Those interested in donating business casual attire that meets the school’s dress code can drop off clothing at Combs 423A. For more information about the Clinical Closet, students and donors can contact Abby Huber at abby.huber@eku.edu.
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