NRF, Phoenix U want retail employees to Dream BIG

WASHINGTON — National Retail Federation and the University of Phoenix will award ten current retail employees in the U.S. a Dream BIG scholarship.



Each of the ten recipients will receive full tuition at any University of Phoenix campus or online program, to encourage them to pursue career opportunities within the retail industry.



“Whether they’re working in marketing, IT or finance, millions of people in our industry are living proof that retail career opportunities don’t end at the cash register,” said NRF Foundation executive director Ellen Davis. “With more than 20 million Americans eligible to apply for this scholarship, we can’t wait to hear the dreams and stories of those who hope to advance their retail career through education, and look forward to making those dreams a reality for ten dedicated people in our industry.”



“Retail employees already dream big,” said University of Phoenix chief business operating officer Barry Feierstein. “Connecting driven, professional working learners with great careers is what we do. This education partnership and the Dream BIG Scholarship represent an important development in our long-term commitment to make higher education more responsive to the needs of both our students and our employer partners. Everyone benefits from having a highly-educated and skilled workforce that can compete in an ever-increasingly connected and collaborative global economy.”



Eligibility is limited to the first 1,000 qualified applicants, who must meet all admissions requirements and submit a completed application by April 9. The application includes three written essays that highlight the applicant’s educational goals, aspirations within the industry and what inspires them. The applicant must also submit a letter of recommendation from a current retail professional with knowledge of the applicant’s skills and work ethic.



NRF executives and the University of Phoenix will narrow down the candidates. A panel of retail and educational executives, chaired by Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSNi, will choose the final scholarship recipients. Recipients will be notified on July 30.