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 University Challenge will open for applications in January 2026.
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
To be announced!
Ashley Corona, Yasmine Karkouch and Mihir Patel
Columbia College Chicago
Ella Baird, Eva Sharma, Aahil Tharani and Vaneeza Walimohammad
The University of Texas at Austin
LaTasia Burton, Angel-Maryann Ntenyi, Marcos Rodriguez and Natasha Sturdevant
University of North Texas
Polyxeni Politis, Kuhu Bhattacharya, Jin Fang, & Alina Gupta
Boston University
Xad Angulo-Trevino, Ariane Sypongco, & Alexis De Ocampo
Columbia College Chicago
Lynsie Coccia, Megenhardt Kristen, & Mia Hamilton
Drexel University
Mayuki Gupta,Pehal Aashish Kothari, & Saisree Kona
Indiana University
Giovanna Calabrese Villanueva, Sophia Tellez, & Alyssa Luna
Saint Thomas University
Maria Fai, Nguyen Stephanie, & Lina Laroussi
University of Houston
Racine Martinez, Rishika Modi, Isabella Murphy, & Brooks Ewell
University of North Texas
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
Julia Yusupov, Lauren Yu, & Anya Peruvemba
Boston University
Angel Luna, Winnie Godinez, Caroline Dominic-Giordano, & Braxton Mastre
Columbia College Chicago
Caroline Rizol, Olivia Lippolis, Julia Kulik, & Cindy Lin
Drexel University
Zahra Barati, Jadyn Boquet, Maryam Krabatou, & Ummehani Shipchandler
The University of Texas at Dallas
Tya Brown, Cassandra Castro, & Allysen Rushing
University of North Texas
Savannah Peck, Claire Cameron, Faith Smith, & Malieah Bowman-Simpson
Western Kentucky University
Ainsley Rahm, Karen Xospa, Edward Lewis, & Keaton Peyser
Western Michigan University
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
