MSSU to host Dress to Impress and Career Fair

JOPLIN, Mo. — Missouri Southern State University is gearing up to empower its students with professional attire and real-world career connections through two key upcoming events, as highlighted by Career Services Director Alex Gandy in a recent interview on News Talk KZRG’s Morning NewsWatch.

The annual Dress to Impress event, a popular professional clothing giveaway, is set for Wednesday, February 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Billingsly Student Center's Connor Ballroom (third floor). Organized by MSSU's Career Services office, the one-day pop-up department store collects gently used professional clothing—such as blazers, shirts, blouses, dresses, shoes, and accessories—from the Four States community and provides them free of charge to students and alumni.

Last year, the event served over 400 students in a single day, and organizers are hoping to exceed that number this time around. With about 50 percent of MSSU students being first-generation college attendees from hardworking families, many lack access to suitable interview or workplace attire. The initiative not only supplies high-quality, lightly used business clothing but also boosts students' confidence as they prepare for job shadows, internships, interviews, or post-graduation employment.

"Look good, feel good, play good—that cliché is so true," Gandy told KZRG. "When we walk into a job interview, we want to portray professionalism and credibility, and that starts with what we're wearing."

Volunteers play a crucial role, helping sort and organize donations by size, gender, and style in the days leading up to the event (Monday and Tuesday, February 23–24), or assisting on the day itself by mentoring students on wardrobe choices and professional presentation. Community members with experience in various industries—such as accounting, construction, or manufacturing—often provide valuable coaching on topics like business formal versus casual expectations.

Gandy emphasized the event's deeper impact: "Students walk out with smiles on their faces and gratitude... It's a philanthropic, feel-good event." 

Past participants have formed lasting connections, including one local accountant who volunteered and later offered an internship to an MSSU accounting student met during the giveaway.

Donations are still being accepted, with drop-offs available at Hearnes Hall Room 308 through Monday, February 23. For convenience, Career Services staff will even meet donors at their cars for pickup. More details, including volunteer sign-up forms, are available at mssu.edu/career or by calling 417-625-9343.

Building on the momentum from Dress to Impress, MSSU will host its annual Spring Career Fair on Wednesday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event expects around 88 employers, offering students, recent graduates, and alumni opportunities to network for jobs, internships, and graduate programs.

Unlike larger university fairs, MSSU's intimate setting fosters in-depth conversations rather than quick, transactional exchanges. Employers can set up booths with promotional materials, and the event helps smaller and mid-sized local companies build brand awareness among students and faculty.

Gandy noted the value of face-to-face interactions in an era of AI-driven resume screening. "AI has pros and cons... but candidates can get filtered out unfairly," he said. The career fair allows employers to assess skills, personality, and fit beyond keywords, often leading to on-the-spot interest and flagged applications for interviews.

Both students seeking opportunities and employers interested in recruiting (with a few spots still open) are encouraged to participate. Full details for students, alumni, and employers—including registration—are available at mssu.edu/career.

As Gandy summarized, these events form a pipeline: from building a professional wardrobe and confidence to making direct employer connections. "It's about helping Lions step into their futures," he said, thanking the Joplin-area community for its ongoing support.