Dr. Hope Koch
Baylor Professor, Dr. Hope Koch, is known for the incredible work she has done in the university’s Information Systems program. An educational philanthropist and accomplished researcher, her professional and personalized style is only a piece of what makes Dr. Koch a girl boss inspiration and this week’s So Hot Right Now!
How would you describe your style?
It’s funny, I’m a tale of two cities. I either look really fabulous dressed up super professional or I’m working out. I don’t have a middle.
Where do you find style inspiration?
On Instagram, I follow Melania Trump, and she’s like the only person I follow. But it’s because I think she’s so pretty, and she’s my age, so she dresses in clothes I can wear to Baylor. So I get a lot from her. It used to be that the good stores would send you catalogs, and they’ve quit doing that, so honestly, when you wrote me about what you’re doing, it is so important. I just love fashion, and it makes you want to do better when you see people wearing pretty things. But the fashion industry has failed corona. There aren’t the inspirational catalogs anymore, so I think there are real places for people like you.
How has teaching impacted your style?
My teaching is a big part of my life. When I started here, I was 27 years old, and I was only a few years older than the students, so I had to buy really professional clothes so that they would see a difference. I think that’s when you first start learning how to dress, so I think that’s why all I really have is professional clothes, because I was trying to be professional even though I wasn’t there yet.
What was your style like in college?
It was actually the same thing. I wanted to be an accountant, and I was actually just a bookkeeper at a bank, but as soon as I started getting money, I dressed like I was a businesswoman. This was before there were any businesswomen really at all. If you ever get a chance, watch the show Working Girl. It’s about this girl who doesn’t come from much, but she wanted to be something, so I see myself sort of in that. I would take my whole paycheck for a month and go buy a business suit for my job as a bookkeeper. They don’t do this so much now, but women were either going to be a teacher or a secretary when I was starting college, but women were wanting to do better. So they had all these books – Dress for Success. I kind of bought into that.
Do you have a favorite article of clothing?
You know, it might be this jacket. I was meeting with you guys, so I was like, “I’ve got to dress for success.”
What is your favorite thing about teaching at Baylor?
Oh, there’s so many. I love to watch my students succeed and to do more than what they ever thought they could do and then to be really proud of themselves.
Written and Edited by: Josie Gruber
Photos by: Carissa Setiawan