Through a strong partnership with business and industry, the Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing (http://terryjlundgrencenter.org)seeks to create the foremost, globally recognized center supporting the study of retailing and consumer sciences and providing education, research and outreach benefiting students, faculty, industry and consumers. Through the support of industry partners the Lundgren Center for Retailing is able to enhance the classroom experience for students in the Retailing and Consumer Sciences (RCSC) program, and provide unique, enriching opportunities outside of it as well. Lundgren Center partners provide industry speakers, case study opportunities, field trips and study tours – all to enrich the educational experience and to encourage top talent to pursue careers in the retailing industry.
This exposure to industry also supports the professional development of students. The Lundgren Center partners offer internships and career placement to students at the University of Arizona and students in the RCSC major are uniquely positioned to take advantage of this network of employers. TJL partners support numerous professional development opportunities for RCSC students to develop the skills needed to secure placement with a top notch company. The partners in the Lundgren Center are essential to our success. We strive to build a bridge from the classroom to industry and we do this by involving our partners. In this past year we have hosted executives in the classroom, sponsored professional development workshops, coordinated field trips and study tours. The Lundgren Center provides an entry point for our partners to reach out to students, build relationships and hopefully successfully recruit tomorrow’s retail stars.
How to develop your leadership skills?
The Center sponsors numerous leadership opportunities within student organizations which focus on professional development, leadership enhancement, and professional networking to prepare students for work in the retail industry.
The Terry J. Lundgren Center for Retailing Student Advisory Board (http://terryjlundgrencenter.org/sab/) is a recognized student organization on the University of Arizona campus. This organization assists in the communication and interaction between Retailing and Consumer Sciences (RCSC) students and the Lundgren Center partners. RCSC students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher are invited to apply to the board every semester. Students who are passionate about a career in retailing are encouraged to apply!
Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) (http://uasife.jimdo.com/) is also sponsored by the Lundgren Center for Retailing and students from any major are eligible to join. University of Arizona SIFE is dedicated to helping educate and prepare students on the U of A campus for their careers by teaching them the skills necessary to succeed in the professional world. By helping others in our local, national, and international community, we facilitate a learning process for students of all majors that is second to none. Our SIFE team has been recognized for it's achievements at both regional and national SIFE competitions, and has placed in the final four at the SIFE National Exposition for the past four years. The UA SIFE Team was the national champion in 2008 and represented the United States at World Cup in Singapore.
Black Retail Action Group (BRAG) (http://uabrag.jimdo.com/ ) is a student organization for all students on campus. The mission of the organization is to be the leading provider of resources and development support that empowers African Americans and all people of color to reach their highest professional potential in retail and related industries by:
• Promoting awareness to the corporate community of challenges facing people of color in the workplace and assisting in the selection, development and advancement of people of color.
• Promoting the professional development and leadership skills of high school and college members, professional members and associates.
• Providing a forum for the exchange of information and offering an environment for networking
TREND is a club for students with a passion for the fashion industry, design, and trend. For more information, please contact the TREND faculty advisor, Meredith Parker.
What scholarships to apply for?
RCSC students are eligible for merit and need based scholarships awarded through the Lundgren Center for Retailing and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. All students must apply online through the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. For more information, see:
http://cals.arizona.edu/academicprograms/scholarship_information
The Lundgren Center for Retailing awards merit based scholarships funded by our corporate partners:
Gordon Brothers
Macy’s
NRF
Shop.org
Petsmart
Walmart
JCPenney
The YMA Scholarship Fund is a national nonprofit association consisting of influential members of the fashion community, dedicated to promoting the education of the fashion arts and business by granting scholarships to talented students at 28 participating universities. This scholarship also facilitates internships, mentorships and career programs. The fund gives 80 $5,000 awards annually, with an additional four $25,000 awards given to applicants chosen as Geoffrey Beene Scholars. Awards will be presented to scholarship recipients at the FSF Annual Award Dinner in New York City. This competitive national scholarship program is open to RCSC students with GPA of 3.0 and higher and an interest in pursuing a career in fashion. Candidates are selected every Fall semester. For more information, see:
http://www.the-yma.com/
In order to help students focus and highlight their RCSC elective coursework and internship experience, the Lundgren Center awards Certificates of Completion to those students pursing one of the tracks below:
- Ecommerce and Retail Technology
- Financial Services
- Strategy and Planning
- Promotion and Product Development
- Sales and Distribution
For more information, please contact Melinda Burke, TJLC Director
How to learn about recruiting RCSC students?
Over 30 partners share the TJLC vision and provide financial support for student activities, scholarship, research, teaching and a variety of outreach activities. For more information about how you can join, visit http://terryjlundgrencenter.org/partners.html.
How to get involved in the RCSC program?
We welcome involvement from our alumni and corporate partners. You can participate in a variety of outreach events such as speaking in a class and participating in an alumni panel. For more information, please contact Melinda Burke, TJLC Director
What networking opportunities are there?
Our Global Retailing Conference (http://globalretailingconference.org) is an annual spring event that brings many of our alumni and corporate partners to Tucson. The two-day conference highlights innovative strategies in retailing and highlights today’s industry leaders. They in turn educate, inspire, and motivate the next generation of retail leaders.
