BGSU graduate student revels in helping students dress for success at Mr. Agne’s Career Collection

The unique boutique at BGSU provides students with free, gently-used professional attire

By Laren Kowalczyk ‘07

Bowling Green State University alumna and graduate student Tiffany Eckert ‘23 doesn’t do anything half-heartedly.

When Eckert was hired as a graduate assistant for Mr. Agne’s Career Collection, which opened in 2020 to provide BGSU students and recent alumni with free professional attire, she was determined to make a meaningful difference.

She recently posted a request for clothing donations on her personal social media account, generating a tremendous response from the local community.

Eckert, pursuing a master’s degree in public administration, then spent several hours driving around the region collecting those donations to increase the inventory and options available for BGSU students. 

“I like to go above and beyond in everything I do,” she said. “It’s such a blessing to receive these clothes and know the story of the person who used to wear them. When I help students dress for success and watch them walk out the door with those items, it’s 100 times more special because I know the personal connection to the clothing.”

Although Agne died mere weeks before the career collection opened in 2020, he was instrumental in the vision, made a reality by Dr. Dawn Shinew, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, and Dr. Mariana Mitova, a teaching professor in the fashion program.

“When students look and feel professional, it gives them a boost of confidence as they head into an interview or job fair,” Mitova said. “We’re happy to provide this free resource to students and help relieve that financial burden. It takes a village, and we really embody that with this project.”

Increasing inventory

Mitova said the career collection served about 300 students last year, and the store’s traffic continues to increase each semester. She noted that although the current policy is for students to receive one complete outfit per academic year, they aren’t required to acquire it in one visit.

“They can come in and get a jacket and then come back another time for other pieces to build their career wardrobe,” she said. “We encourage people to keep stopping in.”

Eckert hopes that with her continued outreach, she’ll be able to build enough inventory to increase the number of outfits students can have per year.

Although picking up clothing donations isn’t part of her job description, Eckert said she enjoys connecting with those supporting the cause.

“It has been really special,” she said. “It’s hard to get rid of your loved one's items. Every person and every thing has a story. I just love knowing the story and seeing it go on its way with someone else.”

Mr. Agne's Career Collection has walk-in hours that can be found on their website. Donations of professional clothing are accepted at the office of the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development (444 Education) or at 118 Eppler Center. For more information, email Dr. Mariana Mitova at marianm@bgsu.edu.