The Student Engagement Center at Midwestern State University wants students to enjoy their campus experience while achieving a great education.

But they also want students to realize that MSU Texas wants to provide them with resources to be successful in everyday life, not just in the classroom.

Ruby Garrett, the assistant director of Student Engagement, puts a lot of effort into providing students with fun experiences on campus. She wants to provide information about resources that are accessible to all students. Taking care of them is the top mission of Garrett and her department.

One example of this effort is the Pop-Up Thrift Shop event that happens at the end of each semester to align with the changing of the seasons, a time when most people look to revamp their wardrobes. She said the event, started by a student, is available to all students and is intended to provide a resource to those in need, and to give students an outlet to express themselves. 

The Pop-Up Thrift Shop will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on April 22 in the Clark Student Center Atrium.

“We weren’t sure if we were gonna keep doing this or not, but I feel like this is one of the events that’s more impactful with our students,” Garrett said. “This is one way we can help them.”

All donations for the event are donated by staff, faculty, and students, making it a true campus community effort. Garrett said most of the donations are clothes, but they also accept textbooks and other reading material. She noted that they received a lot of professional clothing and kids’ clothes, so she hopes that individuals needing such items will attend the event. All of the items are available to students for free. Garrett said that any items that are not claimed by the event will be donated back to the community through donation centers and shelters.

Garrett said what she most appreciates about the event is the sense of community it creates, by connecting those in need of help with those who want to help. Many college students function on tight budgets, so this is just one outlet the university can use to provide some relief.

“Giving back through clothes helps the donors also – not only to clear their stuff, but to give back to the community,” Garrett said.

Garrett mentioned several other resources for students on and off campus. Her favorite resource is Catholic Charities because it provides a broad range of help, but there are many resources available to help with all needs. She also mentioned Mustangs Pantry, Faith Mission clothing vouchers, Wesley’s food pantry, and various scholarships and funds.

Garrett shared that the Student Engagement Center recently began publishing a list of resources on its webpage to assist students with locating the help they need. The list is under the resource tab of their site and is categorized by needs. Garrett wants all students in need to know that it’s OK to accept the help when it’s needed – that’s why these resources exist; to make navigating the difficulties of the student experience a little easier.

“A student confides in anybody, so whether your faculty or staff, you’re able to help them,” Garrett said. “It’s the breadcrumbs – students will tell you their needs, and having those resources and letting them know about them, allows you to help them.”