The role of professor typically includes lecturing, researching and grading. It doesn’t require a fleshed out fashion sense. For these Trinity professors, though, fashion is a part of their everyday work routine.
The Trinity community nominated professors for their sense of style in a Trinitonian survey. While each of the randomly-selected professors approached fashion differently, they all focused on discovering a personal and authentic style.
Eddy Kwessi, professor of mathematics, said his personal fashion was a way to stay organized. He didn’t want to be the professor wearing jeans and sandals at work, he said. He prefers a practical, “put-together” style.
Kwessi showed up to the interview in a gray suit jacket, dress pants and black bowtie. His style ensures that he feels prepared for the day and present for his students, he said.
“If I’m feeling good, I can make people feel good, and I can deliver good lectures,” Kwessi said.
For Shannon Mariotti, professor of political science, feeling good is also integral to her colorful and comfortable style. During her interview, she wore a floral shift dress, green shawl, knitted stocking and Birkenstock clogs.
“You guys know Miss Frizzle from the Magic School Bus? Of course, my style has been compared to hers,” Mariotti said.
Mariotti has never described herself as fashionable, but when her 20-year-old students started complimenting her outfits, her opinion began to change. Despite this praise from younger demographics, she said the most important aspect of her style is authenticity.
“It’s such a goal for people to know what they like and have the courage to dress in style,” Mariotti said. “To wear what you really prefer to wear, even if it isn’t what everybody else is wearing.”
Josie Liu, associate professor of communication, said her ideal equation for a professional outfit is a balance of comfort and style. While she spoke, she was dressed in a light jacket, blouse and breezy trousers. For Liu, putting together her outfits gives her the formal sense that she’s going to work.
“To wear these kinds of clothes makes me feel good. It’s less about other people — it’s about me, what makes me feel good, what makes me feel more confident and more professional,” Liu said.
Like many of the other professors, Liu draws on her academic work for fashion inspiration. Her style reflects her style of writing, ensuring clarity and minimalism throughout her life.
“Everything needs to be right to the point and nothing extra. I like that kind of style either when it comes to my writing or the way I do things, [including] my outfits as well,” Liu said. “I like to keep things simple and direct, and just get the job done.”
For Lauren Turek, professor of history, academic discipline also directly factors into her fashion. She arrived at the interview wearing a yellow and green floral dress, paired with a green cardigan, a chunky green leather belt and a small, swan-shaped white purse. Turek, who teaches Modern U.S. History and U.S. Foreign Relations, said that she enjoys wearing vintage silhouettes and items that are reminiscent of the mid-20th century.
“I especially like to see if I can pay homage to the time period that I’m teaching about, if I have something related in my wardrobe” Turek said. “On Monday, we were talking about World War II, and I wore a dress that was very inspired by the 1940s.”
Kwessi’s style also reflected his academic discipline. His approach to style is mathematical, he said, with his wardrobe on a rotational, mix-and-match system. Kwessi advised students to have a similar routine, which allows for diversity in outfit-building without breaking the bank. He encouraged young people to purchase five variations of shirts, pants and jackets that can be paired with one another.
“Just imagine the number of combinations you have every day. You look different. You look fashionable. But you don’t actually have much,” Kweesi said. “It’s just a matter of doing mathematics, of shuffling things around.”
Turek similarly advised students to layer clothing, which she does by having a cardigan in every color. While pairability is important, Turek recommended shopping sustainably by buying second-hand and working with the clothes that you already have. Students should explore their personal style by finding clothing that speaks to them and not to be afraid to take fashion risks, she said.
“I know nobody wants to be cringe or whatever, but be cringe, do it,” Turek said. “Just lean into it, because that’s how you meet people, and people will come. If you’re wearing something interesting, people will come up to you and talk to you.”
These Trinity professors do not just teach their students academic subjects — they teach them how to represent themselves through fashion. Though styles may differ from professor to professor, they have all found ways to stay professional while amplifying their personal style.
*Josie Liu is chair of the Campus Publications Board
*This article was updated on March 22, 2026
