Class of 2026 Fashion Scholarship Fund Scholar

In April 2025, I embarked on a journey to develop a merchandising case study for the Fashion Scholarship Fund, with this year’s prompt focusing on innovative retail strategy and cross-industry brand collaboration. The project held particular significance to me since both brands I selected are ones I’ve long admired for their bold creative vision, commitment to community, and dedication to sustainable retail practices. After submitting my work in October 2025, I was honored to be selected from a pool of 764 applicants as one of 100 scholars for the Fashion Scholarship Fund Class of 2026. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dana Connell, MBA, for her invaluable mentorship and support, and to Columbia College Chicago and the Fashion Scholarship Fund for providing such an extraordinary opportunity to grow as a merchandising and retail strategy professional.