Two students from Lasell University’s School of Fashion have been named semi-finalists in the National Retail Federation’s Next Generation Scholarship competition. Noelle Engrassia ’23 and Catherine King ’23 will compete in a pool of just 25 remaining participants for the grand prize of $25,000, the NRF’s most prestigious scholarship.

Engrassia and King, both Fashion Merchandising and Management students, will complete the final portion of the competition by creating a case study in collaboration with Nordstrom. According to the NRF Foundation, the case study should develop a new brand for the retail brand that also focused on reducing its carbon footprint. Final submissions will be judged by a panel of retail executives.

“It’s an incredible honor to move on to the next round of the NRF Next Generation competition with sp many other talented students across the country and I’m excited to represent Lasell University,” said Engrassia.

King, serving as their student ambassador for over 2 years now, said, “I have been able to be exposed to all of the different and amazing opportunities that the NRF Program has to offer, and I couldn’t be more excited for what is to come in this next round."

“I am so proud of these two extraordinarily driven students,” said Cathy Weiss, associate professor of fashion and student NRF chapter advisor. “I am also proud of what this represents for the School of Fashion, as we are one of the premiere fashion programs in the country.”

Lasell is an NRF University Member school, and frequently participates in NRF business case competitions throughout the academic year. Lasell students have placed in the Next Generation Scholarship competition semifinals three times in its eight years of membership.