IU senior recognized in the field of retail, wins national scholarship

IU senior Carlie Jensen won first place at the National Retail Foundation’s Next Generation Scholarship this weekend, taking home a $25,000 prize.

The Next Generation scholarship “recognizes outstanding students currently pursuing retail careers, who have the skills, insights and interests to make an impact on the retail community as a future leader of the industry,” according to the NRF website.

Jensen was awarded this honor in New York in front of 3,000 people, including her peers, retail executives, media and other industry partners.

“It was one of the best moments of my life,” Jensen said.

After she was chosen as the IU nominee, Jensen entered a competitive application process that included three essays and two letters of recommendation.

Upon being selected as a finalist, she flew to New York for an interview with the previous CEO and president of Saks Fifth Avenue, the current CEO of HSN, a senior vice president of NRF and an executive at Macy’s.

“It was the most intense and thrilling interview,” Jensen said. “I was so honored to be interviewing with some of the retail industry’s most influential people.”

Eloise Paul, professor of apparel merchandising and interior design, attended the award ceremony with Jensen.

Paul said she has known Jensen for almost two years.

“Carlie has a wonderful mix of strength in her academic pursuits, strength in leadership skills and a strong and successful retail background, including internship positions both at Nordstrom and at Kohls,” Paul said. “Carlie is also extremely well-spoken, poised, confident and clearly passionate about the retail industry.”

Jensen said she attributes her success to her IU education and the connections she made at school.

“I have some of the most incredible professors that always push me out of my comfort zone to be the best student I can be,” Jensen said. “There are so many opportunities for students to connect with the retail industry if you are motivated and driven to take them. I have leveraged every opportunity the program has to offer, and I am so thankful.”

Jensen said she has accepted a full-time offer with Kohl’s Corporate Headquarters in their Product Development Division.

She will move to Milwaukee in August to start her new job.

“Being chosen as the NRF Next Generation scholar is an unbelievable honor, and it was truly one of the best and most insightful weeks of my life,” Jensen said. “I couldn’t be more excited to start my career in retail.”