The NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship competition – presented by SAS – has narrowed to five finalists:
- Robert Davison Long (Columbia College Chicago)
- Sabrina Leibowitz (Drexel University)
- Sarah May (Indiana University)
- Marcel Smith (LIM College)
- Brooke Williams (Ohio State University)
"Our NRF Foundation Next Generation scholars have demonstrated impressive knowledge, inspiring creativity and incredible passion for retail throughout the competition,” NRF Foundation Executive Director Bill Thorne says. “We congratulate the top five on this extraordinary achievement, and we look forward to announcing the top recipient.”
The journey to the final round of the NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship included a rigorous case study that tasked the undergraduates with researching and building comprehensive plans that detailed go-to-market strategies for a new Meijer Brand Foods program. The case studies were judged by a panel of retail executives, and 10 undergraduates advanced to interviews with the National Retail Federation to select the top five.
Interviews with the NRF Foundation Board of Directors will determine the top recipient, who will be awarded $25,000. The four other finalists will get $10,000 each.
The announcement for the most prestigious student award given by the NRF Foundation will be made on stage at the 2022 NRF Foundation Honors in New York City.
Since its launch, more than $900,000 has been awarded through the NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship.
Applications for the 2023 NRF Foundation Next Generation Scholarship will open early next year for rising juniors and seniors. Learn more about additional opportunities to get real-world experience with NRF Foundation scholarships here.