Behind every retail brand are leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers navigating change in real time, and NRF NXT connects students with their stories, insights, and vision for the future of retail. Through executive mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to emerging topics such as artificial intelligence and sustainability, students gain a deeper understanding of the industry's evolving landscape and the many paths a career in retail can take.
At the University of Florida, Dr. Christina Norton, assistant instructional professor in the Warrington College of Business and director of the David F. Miller Retail Center, sees the program as a valuable complement to the university’s retail curriculum.
She reflected on how NRF NXT, the next generation of the NRF Foundation Student Program, is an impactful addition to students' curriculum, particularly because it offers experiences beyond the classroom. “When you open your mind and you experience other things, that is another whole layer of intelligence ... that you never would get from a book,” she said.
Dr. Norton emphasized that this type of exposure is exactly what programs like NRF NXT provide. “NRF NXT is so phenomenal for us because it brings students the industry exposure we can’t fully provide in the classroom alone,” she shared. As the university offers a retail minor rather than a major, NRF NXT gives students access to industry leaders, speakers, and professional experiences they may not otherwise get through coursework alone. As she put it, “Textbooks are great, but they’re just textbooks, right? How do you bring it to life?”
For many Florida students, traveling to New York City is a significant cultural and professional milestone that expands their worldview, builds confidence, and strengthens their career ambitions.
The program helps students translate classroom concepts into real-world understanding. Students research speakers, create mini case studies, connect conference content to course material, and deepen their knowledge of topics such as sustainability, AI, creativity, entrepreneurship, and retail strategy. Beyond these academic benefits, the experience also reshapes students’ sense of possibility. As Dr. Norton explained, “For many Florida students, traveling to New York City is a significant cultural and professional milestone that expands their worldview, builds confidence, and strengthens their career ambitions.”
One of the memorable moments is the executive mentor experience, where students from around the country participate in roundtable discussions with leaders from top brands and companies. “Students are moved by the sincerity and generosity of industry professionals who share candid advice, open doors, and help students envision their future careers.” These conversations allow students to build meaningful connections and pursue internships, job opportunities, and long-term professional relationships.
The NRF Foundation also recognized several UF Warrington students through scholarships and awards totaling $70,000 during the academic year. Through programs including the NRF Foundation x CVS Health Foundation® Retail Management Scholarship, Bright Futures Scholarship, Ray Greenly Scholarship, Rising Stars Scholarship, Next Generation Scholarship, Student Ambassador Scholarship, and more, students received support that helped expand access to the NRF Foundation's opportunities, including NRF NXT; furthering their professional development within the retail industry.
For Lilly Silber and Cecelia Duncan, the impact of NRF Foundation programs extended far beyond a few days in New York City. Both students are spent the summer in Washington, D.C., interning with the National Retail Federation, an opportunity that reflects how exposure to the retail industry can shape students' academic and professional journeys.
Lilly Silber, a junior majoring in Business Administration with a specialization in Retailing, said attending NRF NXT helped her discover a passion for the industry. When she first arrived at the University of Florida, she was unsure which path within business she wanted to pursue. Through NRF NXT, she was introduced to new career possibilities and gained a clearer vision for her future. “Through NRF NXT, I fell in love with retail and began to see it as my future,” she said. The experience ultimately influenced her decision to pursue retail as her degree specialization.
Cecelia Duncan, a marketing major graduating in December 2026, said “NRF opportunities helped her better understand the range of careers available within the industry”. After attending NRF NXT, she explored new opportunities and built connections that eventually led to her role as a Summer 2026 Digital Analytics Intern with the NRF. Her experience demonstrates how exposure to the industry can help students translate classroom learning into meaningful career opportunities.
Silber and Duncan attended the same university but did not meet until their internships brought them both to Washington, D.C. Their experience reflects the connections that can grow from NRF Foundation opportunities, bringing together students who share an interest in retail and helping those relationships continue beyond a single program. “We didn’t even know each other before coming to D.C., and now we’ve gained a new friend in each other for when we go back to Florida,” Duncan reflected.
For Silber and Duncan, the path from NRF NXT to Washington, D.C., brought new career possibilities, professional experience, and an unexpected friendship. Their journeys show how one introduction to the retail industry can continue opening doors long after students leave New York City.
