Professional Attire Fund helps students gain confidence while navigating new opportunities

CARLISLE and UNIVERSITY PARK, PA—Prior to entering Penn State Dickinson Law, Mireliz Bermudez ’28 owned very little professional attire. As she began attending networking events as a 1L, she quickly realized two things. “One, I didn't have the professional attire I needed. Two, I didn't have the means to acquire it,” she said.

Luckily, Bermudez learned about the Penn State Dickinson Law Professional Attire Fund, which helps students who need clothing for interviews, events, or jobs. Bermudez applied for and received a grant to build her wardrobe. “This fund was the only opportunity for me to purchase those essential pieces I otherwise could not have afforded,” said Bermudez.

Denise R. Foster Cronin ’97, chief compliance officer and senior vice president at East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Inc., created the Professional Attire Fund in 2019. She had been thinking about her experience as a young attorney with a modest salary who could not afford to improve her wardrobe.

“I think of nice clothing as an equalizer in law school and in practice. You can do all your studying and preparation, but if you feel like you appear less polished than someone else, your confidence may fade. This especially may be true when you are just starting law school, seeking an internship, or interviewing for your first post-graduation job,” said Cronin.

Then she remembered the confidence that came with the compliments she received a few years into her career when she could finally afford appropriately fitting and stylish clothing. Cronin realized she could support Penn State Dickinson Law students in making a similarly impactful transition.

“With ‘lawyer as practitioner’ a key focus at Penn State Dickinson Law, I wanted to make sure that students had equal opportunity to put their best selves forward and be as confident as possible by choosing clothing that fit correctly and flattered them,” said Cronin.

Bermudez said her experience with the fund met those goals. “Ultimately, clothing isn't just about looking the part. It is about feeling confident in what you're wearing, and this fund played a key role in helping me learn how to step into a room looking and feeling like a professional,” she said.

More than three dozen students assisted

Over the past seven years, the Professional Attire Fund has handed out just over $15,000 to 37 students and counting. Each student can request up to $500, though the average grant is $410. Students can use the funds for clothing, jewelry, footwear, headscarves and hijabs, or anything else under the professional attire umbrella.

Anyone receiving a need-based grant can apply for the fund, which is administered by Penn State Dickinson Law Assistant Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid Rebecca Schreiber on a first-come, first-served basis.

She said students display widespread interest in applying each year. Schreiber asks applicants to submit a list of their desired items beforehand. After they complete their shopping, they turn in the receipts.

“Law school is an expensive endeavor, and it is an investment in yourself. But not all students come to us with the ability to financially invest in themselves at the same rate,” said Schreiber. “Showing up in a way that makes you feel confident, like you belong in the space, can help propel students to success and help them feel like they are on a more level playing field with their peers.”

‘I felt capable and confident’

Bermudez found the program easy to navigate. “I would highly recommend the Professional Attire Fund to any student limited by their finances. It truly opens the door to building their professional attire closet that might otherwise be out of reach,” she said.

Emma-Jean Stanley ‘27 agrees. She used the fund to buy clothing for an internship interview. “I applied for the fund because I am a first-generation law student and came from a low-income household,” she said. “Worthwhile business professional attire can be incredibly expensive, especially suits. The fund allowed me to purchase several suits that I wore to my spring internship interviews, interviews that led to employment. I felt confident and capable going into those interviews, partially because I knew I looked the part.”

She acknowledged that it can be challenging and even intimidating to ask for financial assistance, but she felt comfortable navigating the Professional Attire Fund application. “I loved that the program had a low barrier to entry,” she said. “Penn State Dickinson Law made it easy for me to apply via Google Form and was discreet in providing me the funding. Back then, I was embarrassed about not having the funds to purchase quality suits for work, but now I am grateful and want other students to know of this opportunity!”

Cronin is thrilled to aid students in the way she always imagined. She credits Penn State Dickinson Law Senior Associate Dean for External Affairs & Chief of Staff Laura H. Williams '90 for assisting with the setup of the fund, which she hopes will continue well into the future. “It requires very little financial commitment to make a huge difference, and I encourage other alumni to join me in supporting this fund for our next generation of lawyers,” said Cronin.

To make a donation to the Penn State Dickinson Law Professional Attire Fund, please visit raise.psu.edu/lawattire.