The NRF Foundation University Challenge isn’t an average business case competition. This unique experience gives undergraduate students the chance to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom in a real-world setting. It's more than an exercise.
A handful of teams will earn the chance to present their pitch to leaders from retail’s biggest companies, with the top team earning $30,000 in tuition scholarships divided amongst team members.
The 2025-2026 NRF Foundation University Challenge is now open with the deadline of June 23, 2025.
For the 2025 NRF Foundation University Challenge, teams competed in the business case competition for a chance to earn tuition scholarships and industry recognition.
"I've gotten collaboration out of it, I've gotten leadership, real life, hands-on experience within the retail industry. I learned so much. You'll gain a lot of insight, camaraderie, and you will have fun. I highly recommend doing it."
- Grace Long, Florida State University
"This is the first time that we've been able to apply our learning to a real-world experience. It's a really great opportunity. It takes a lot of time and devotion, but it's totally worth it."
- Kiera Berry, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Hazel Avery, Michelle Flores, Natilee Strey, & Graeme Coté
Columbia College Chicago
Tatum Hartsfield, Madeline Blackburn, & Caroline Bowen
University of North Texas
Tina Dang, Andrea Urdaneta Ranaldi, & Tiara Quidachay
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Coming soon!
Allie Gress, Rajvi Dharamshi, Krysta Mendoza, and Aly Chew
Drexel University
Jeanine Bandyk, Isabela Vella Sarlo Sanchez, & Ana Carolina Leisner
FIDM
Sofia Kunkel, Glenda Holton, Chase Pittman, & Asiyah Ali-Sal
Florida State University
Ada Hernández, Anna Gomez, Williams Jean-Charles, & Cristina Cruz
Savannah College of Art and Design
Gabriella Mak, Roxanne Sabel, Anna Banyard, & Carly Bernard
Indiana University
Rachel Sullivan, Grace Nalley, & Abigail Turner
University of North Texas
Bridget Eissler, Hannah Cunha, Ivy Galanis, & Danae Vargas
FIDM
Joie Simpson, Jada Quillen, Mary Groover, & Sophia Rizzo
Indiana University
Janae Reid, Ashley Gallegos, Cici Chen, & Mitzi Santamaria
Columbia College Chicago
Michelle Alcocer, Valeria Simons, Fiorella Sturla, & Sheikha Al-Otaibi
Babson College
Delaney Hanson, Grace Long, Alison MacCloud, & Gustavo Rubio
Florida State University
Kiera Berry, Shannon Curley, Kristin Hall, & Avery Van der Linden
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Ivonne Malagon, Alexis Norris, Juan Osorio, & Aleesa Wright
Columbia College Chicago
Haven Hathaway, Julia Krasovic, Jillian Schendel, & Marissa Traver
Columbia College Chicago
Mila Hubschman, Celimari Tapia, Preyotee Raheema, & Abney Rhodes
FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising
Cassandra Driver, Claire Potter, & Aubrey Williams
Indiana University
Kaya Tobias, Libby Kaibas, Neely Branham, & Zoe Zvonek
Indiana University
Madison Bryant-Wagstaff, Emelia Seiferth, & Angelina Deleon
SUNY Buffalo State
Ellie Stutsman, Maddy Rosonke, & Paris Spencer
University of Missouri
Katelyn Wandel, Keir Gillis, Alexandra Henson, & Madison Dober
Western Michigan University
K-Lynn Ward, Tooba Athar & Haley Shannon
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Riley Thorpe, Rachel Baranowski, Rosa Terenzio & Ella Bondy
Columbia College Chicago
Ethan Partington, Ansley Young, Vanesa Paramo & Karolina Blachowska
Columbia College Chicago
Abinaya Anand, Gilian Louie & Michelle Xu
Boston University
Aishwarya Bahl, Emma Cyphert, Jessica Falasco & Sophia Rhodes
Drexel University
Dani Dargis, Claire Wheeler, Katherine Larson & Kera Jochem
Indiana University
Sam Brook, Olivia Klee, Bianca Pugliesi & Trupti Sadigale
Indiana University
Jennifer Hamilton, Aldine Raso & Megan Schwenker
Marist College
Harper Brand, Kaitlyn Rutledge, Pierce Pittman & Melina De Groot
University of Georgia
Morgan Davis & Millie Willett
University of Texas at Austin
Ellie Smith, Etheline Ting & Emily Wilken
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Selected Retailer: Target
Rachel Bennett, Madison Moats & Viren Shah
Savannah College of Art & Design - Atlanta
Selected Retailer: Target
Kaci Balfany, Ysabella Gardner & Tiffany Makdissy
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
Selected Retailer: Nordstrom
Eryn Jones, Loren Parker Alfred Pell & Xitaly Viveros
Columbia College Chicago
Selected Retailer: Target
Kirstin Kirshbaum, Ben Sill, Amaiya Sims & Brittany Wilson
Columbia College Chicago
Selected Retailer: HSN
YeSenia Agosto-Rivera, Nicolas Sanchez & Katherine Trice
Georgia Southern University
Selected Retailer: Target
Brynna Chin-A-Young, Toni Librud, Mackenzie Miller & Brianna Shirey
Georgia Southern University
Selected Retailer: Target
Joshua Dungo, Mariana Reyes & Carolyn Treuting
Marymount University
Selected Retailer: Nordstrom
Christhine Nicole Ersando & Diana Shia
Southern New Hampshire University
Selected Retailer: Target
Kennedy DeVries, Madison Hannon, Elizabeth McShane & Helen Yuan
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Selected Retailer: Nordstrom
Cayley Creekmore, Shannon Foote, Anna Tiller & Woodley White
Georgia Southern University
Selected Retailer: Free People
KPMG Mentor: Renee Howard
Rina Alshaer, Kayla Fox & Kaitlyn Sifford
University of North Texas
Selected Retailer: Anthropologie
KPMG Mentor: Elisa Holland
Annie Brennan, Leah Levy, Danielle Talatian & Diana Xiong
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Selected Retailer: Tory Burch
KPMG Mentor: Kelly Combs
Jack Bobiek, Madeline Franklin, Catrin Reyes & Oula Yassine
Columbia College Chicago
KPMG Mentor: Alana Widdess
Caroline Hosier, Sofia Masuda & Yoael Kebede
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising
KPMG Mentor: Leila Shin
Gabriella Florio, Allison Haselton & Hunter Poorman
LIM College
KPMG Mentor: Greg Brunner
Madeline Dintino, Courtney Duggan, Christopher Mitchell & Dylan Skinner
Marist College
KPMG Mentor: Ali Wampler
Addison Holcomb, Shannon Perkins & Madison Robinson
Texas A&M University
KPMG Mentor: Laura Christal
Dylan Kravetz, Max Lerman, Annie Plunkett & Julian Zubkov
University of Wisconsin - Madison
KPMG Mentor: Karen Smith-Lewis
