The winning UNT team members are Marcos Rodriguez, left, LaTasia Burton, Malini Ratnam, Natasha Sturdevant and Angel-Maryann Ntenyi.

CVAD Student Among 2026 NRF Foundation University Challenge Winners

 A University of North Texas team that included a student from the College of Visual Arts and Design won the 2026 National Retail Federation Foundation University Challenge, a national case competition announced Jan. 11 at the NRF Foundation Honors event in New York City.

The interdisciplinary team represented CVAD’s Communication Design: User-Experience Design program and the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism’s digital merchandising program. This year’s challenge asked teams from across the country to develop innovative strategies for making Macy's top of mind for year-round gift giving.

WINNING TEAM MEMBERS
LaTasia Burton, CMHT
Angel-Maryann Ntenyi, CMHT
Marcos Rodriguez, CMHT
Natasha Sturdevant, CVAD Communication Design: User-Experience Design major 
Malini Ratnam, UNT team advisor, CMHT lecturer and digital retail program advisor

The students will share a $30,000 tuition scholarship and gain professional connections and real-world experience through the competition.

View the NRF video introducing the finalists. 

The NRF Foundation, based in Washington, D.C., is the philanthropic, nonprofit arm of the National Retail Federation, focused on building careers in the U.S. retail industry. It provides training, credentials, scholarships, and networking that connect people to retail jobs and leadership careers. It also runs the NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City alongside Retail’s Big Show, bringing hundreds of students together for CEO talks, store tours, mentoring, and recruiting. Scholarships and awards recognize high-potential students and emerging retail leaders.