Kohl’s Center for Retailing connects industry partners with students to develop forward-thinking leaders of the future.
Through dynamic coursework and experiential learning, our students graduate prepared and committed to drive results and lead with empathy.
Learning opportunities include
Courses
Students benefit from instructors with industry expertise, ensuring their coursework is responsive, innovative, and addresses consumer trends.
Events
Students hone their professional skills through engaging workshops and mentoring from industry professionals, giving them a jumpstart on a thriving career.
Projects
Students gain exciting professional experience by working with real brands on real projects – while companies gain modern, consumer-centric ideas and solutions.
In the field
Students extend their learning experiences beyond the classroom through company site visits, national industry conferences and travel opportunities, while connecting with leading professionals.
National member organizations
National Retail Federation Foundation
Through our partnership with the National Retail Federation Foundation, our students receive project-based learning opportunities and experiential programming in New York City that supports career path exploration and development, internship and full-time hiring, and professional mentorship. The UW–Madison Student Retail Association is closely affiliated with the National Retail Federation.
Fashion Scholarship Fund
Through our partnership with the Fashion Scholarship Fund, our students participate in a case study project in their chosen field – merchandising, marketing analytics, design and product development, or business strategy. Through this project, students will analyze industry trends, learn from top leaders, and connect with leading fashion brands.
“The School of Human Ecology – and its Kohl’s Center for Retailing – does an excellent job of utilizing its connections to the largest retailers in Wisconsin, and in other states as well. These connections help students experience working with companies before even graduating. I truly feel that I would not have received this level of in-depth, personal care at another school.”
– Ian Vailliencourt ’24, apparel designer
“The students inspired us with their plan to revitalize our heritage brand, Willis & Geiger. They understood the assignment and incorporated innovation, speed and customer-focus.”
– Adrienne Bestul, senior manager and talent development/internship coordinator at Lands’ End
“The Kohl’s Center for Retailing wants to know, ‘What do employers want? What do they need? How can I incorporate that into my curriculum so that my students are best positioned to get those jobs?’ School of Human Ecology students are very engaged and very knowledgeable. These students know more about the industry and have a better sense of the jobs and career paths that are available. They also have the skills to be successful in those roles.”
– Adam Lukoskie, Executive director of the National Retail Federation Foundation