Making a Difference
Bodford recently had the opportunity to meet Kevin Montes Mendoza ’25, who received two suits from the program, which he credits with helping boost his business future. He wore his new business attire to a career fair, where he had more than 20 interviews. “My suit was with me at every single one, and I was able to walk out of there with five internship offers,” he says.
The following year, Mendoza applied again and received a second suit that he wore when inducted as president of UNCG’s chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA). His work in this student organization has helped him develop leadership skills, build his network, and attend national career-related events.
“Both times I received a Suit Up suit, it played a big part in what I was doing at the time,” Mendoza says. “Coming into college, I didn’t have any business clothes, so when it would be time for networking events, I would throw on whatever I could find. Being able to buy professional clothing helped my confidence and improved how people perceive me.”
Mendoza, who graduated in May with a degree in finance and economics, has landed a full-time job with Capital One in McLean, Virginia.
“Kevin is just an excellent example of what we hope to achieve through supporting the Suit Up program,” Bodford says. “When we met, he shared with me that he felt like he could measure up, even to Ivy Leaguers, and compete for those jobs.”
