About

My interest in sustainability began in high school in China. During the pandemic lockdowns, I started reflecting on how I could use my time to do something meaningful. I’d always been interested in fashion, and I noticed that while my friends and I were eager to buy secondhand clothes, it was still seen as taboo in China. So, I started an online secondhand clothing market to challenge that mindset and make sustainable fashion more accessible. After the lockdowns ended, I turned it into an in-person market, which continues to run at my high school today. When I came to BU, I wanted to see if I could bring this same model to a new community.

BU Highlights

When I got to BU, I started talking to people about secondhand fashion - my friends, professors, and eventually one of my advisors. I told him, “I don’t need much, I just need a room.” He booked one for me, and I bought a large storage bin, placed it outside my dorm, and painted a sign with my friends that said “KHC Closet Donations” (since I lived in Kilachand Hall). I asked some RAs to help spread the word and the donations rolled in. That’s how our first clothing swap took place. Just like in high school, the demand for this was clear - especially during move-out. Over time, we got funding, changed our name to BU Closet, and built a passionate team.

One moment that really stuck with me happened during a clothing swap when someone said, “I’m an international student. It’s hard for me to get seasonal clothing here or store it. I got this coat from BU Closet last year, and I still come back to find things I can’t bring from home.” That kind of feedback hits differently. We always track numbers and calculate how much we swap, but hearing the human impact firsthand is much more powerful. Another highlight was our Earth Day swap on Marsh Plaza, which had been my dream from day one. We partnered with the LGBTQIA+ Faculty & Staff Community Network, BU Sustainability, The Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, and others. Seeing everyone come together on a beautiful day for a shared cause was incredible.

I also served as president of Epsilon Eta, BU’s professional, co-ed, environmental fraternity. I loved the community and saw so much potential for growth and collaboration. I created different opportunities for collaboration between Epsilon Eta and BU Closet, such as our ‘Trashion Show’ - a fashion show showcasing sustainable fashion - and our Earth Day clothing swaps.

Excitement

It’s amazing to see Innovate@BU gaining more visibility and resources, and I’m excited to see BU Closet connect with them more going forward. I’m also really looking forward to seeing the new leadership team bring fresh ideas and creativity to BU Closet. That’s what makes college so special - every year, there’s a whole new group of people with new problems to solve and new ways to solve them.

Advice for BU Students

What helped me most was following my interests and being patient. You can’t force connections, but you can be proactive. Go to student involvement fairs and talk to your classmates and professors. Explore, stay open-minded, and follow what you're genuinely passionate about. If you do that, your community and network will fall into place.