The Reid Family Career Closet Helps Ohio State Students Dress for Success

By Aisha Echols

For Jimmy ’89 and Allyson ‘88 Reid, their time at Ohio State helped shape who they are, both personally and professionally. Now, they’re sharing that Buckeye passion with Ohio State students through the new Reid Family Career Closet—an initiative designed to help students look and feel their best for job interviews, internships and other professional opportunities.

When Allyson Reid learned of plans to establish a new center to support the essential needs of Ohio State students, she was immediately inspired to get involved. As a member of the Student Life Alumni Advisory Board, Allyson was introduced to the concept during a presentation by Dr. Melissa Shivers, Senior Vice President for the Office of Student Life.

“What inspired me,” Allyson shared, “was when Dr. Shivers spoke about the Career Closet and how it helps students prepare for interviews.” The opportunity to contribute to this meaningful initiative deeply resonated with Allyson, and she knew her family wanted to be involved.

Previously, the Career Closet operated as a pop-up event held several times each semester, providing students with access to professional attire for career fairs, interviews and other career-related events. Thanks to the generous support of Jimmy and Allyson Reid, the Reid Family Career Closet will now have a permanent home within the Monda Student Resource Center, ensuring students can access these resources year-round.

The Reids are passionate about supporting students as they prepare for professional opportunities. “We want to help students dress for interviews, internships or that first job,” Allyson explained. “It can be difficult to access appropriate attire when you haven’t started earning a salary yet.”

Set to open on April 25, the Monda Student Resource Center will provide additional support services, including a food pantry and private meeting spaces where students can connect with university and community resources. These services will cover areas such as financial aid, emergency financial assistance, housing support and more.

Allyson and Jimmy Reid’s commitment to Ohio State runs deep. “We have a pure love and lifetime adoration for Ohio State,” Allyson said. “For us, family is everything. This isn’t just our journey—it’s our family’s journey.”

The couple met as undergraduate students at Ohio State, later married, and raised four children—two of whom are alumni: Jackson ’19 and Hunter ’24. Their son Tucker plans to graduate in 2027, and their daughter Tristan will begin her Buckeye journey in Autumn 2025.

“We never expected all four children to choose Ohio State, and we never pressured them. The fact that they did means the world to us,” Allyson said. “The Reid Family Career Closet is something they can be proud of—it’s a legacy they’re a part of forever.”

Jimmy has long maintained a strong connection to Ohio State, returning year after year to interview graduating seniors, offer guidance and provide mentorship. “Supporting students in this way is deeply important to us,” Allyson noted. “I’m thrilled to be able to contribute and plan to volunteer at the Career Closet as often as I can get to Ohio State.”

With a personal enthusiasm for fashion, Allyson looks forward to curating outfits that help students feel confident and poised. “It’s not just about handing someone a white shirt and a blazer,” she said. “Styling for a banking interview is very different from preparing for an advertising interview. We want to help students feel confident and feel good, because when you feel good, you will represent yourself better in these interviews and hopefully secure that job.”