Center for Retail Leadership - Immersive Experiences

Develop professional skills and build relationships with community partners through a variety of industry-engaging, experiential leadership opportunities.

Undergraduate Student Organizations

Graduate Student Organizations

PSU hosts a unique summer program in Portland, Oregon, the hub of the Athletic & Outdoor (A&O) Industry. Students with diverse backgrounds in art, design, business and product development are invited to come together to collaborate in a hands-on learning experience that focuses on competitive dynamics in the A&O Industry, the concept-to-consumer process, organizational culture and professionalism.

The summer program will take place from June 26-August 28, 2023 with in-person and remote options.

A&O Summer Immersion Program Brochure

The program includes two classes for a total of 8 credits:

• MKTG 436/536 - Competitive Dynamics: June 26 - July 24, 2023 on Thursdays, 5:15 - 9:40 p.m.
• MKTG 437/537 - Product Management: July 31 - August 28, 2023, on Thursdays, 5:15 - 9:40 p.m.

PSU and visiting students (juniors, seniors, post-bac and grad students) are welcome to apply. Application deadline is June 22, 2023.

"Participating in the Summer Immersion Program at PSU gave me the opportunity to gain useful knowledge about the Athletic and Outdoor Industry that I couldn't find anywhere else."                     - Carlie Beard, Kent State University, 2020 

Certificate students get the rare chance to participate in brand-sponsored trips to trade shows, such as Outdoor Retailer and Expo West, where they can work, learn, explore, network, and have fun alongside industry leaders from prominent brands in A&O and FB&G.

These experiential learning partnerships between the Center for Retail Leadership and sponsoring brands, provide selected students the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and valuable insights into current trends and issues facing the some of the worlds top brands.

Certificate students chosen to be a part of these PSU student delegations will have hotel, airfare and some other expenses covered. 

Applications will be posted here, when available.

Current students are invited to participate in a unique, structured and immersive educational program: The Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) University Outreach Student Program. They offer selected students an all-expense-paid trip to their annual trade show in Chicago, Illinois. The Trade Show represents a huge variety of products including food and non-food. Selected students will experience first-hand the American store brand business through a weekend of university-level classes, special events, store tours and real-time participation in the retailer-exhibitor interaction on the trade show floor.

PSU will select 4-6 students by the end of Spring term to send to PLMA for final selection. PLMA final selection will be in late September or early October. Selected students will travel and arrive in Chicago in November.

Details on the next application cycle will be posted here when available.

The NGA Foundation Student Case Study Competition strives to further the professional development of college students pursuing degrees in food and retail programs and provides student teams the opportunity to creatively address a real-world issue currently impacting the industry. Approx. four students work with a faculty member (October-February) to prepare their case study. They present their findings at The NGA Show to a panel of judges, the independent retailer featured as the subject of the competition, and NGA Show attendees. Students enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip where they compete with other colleges. The competition, hosted by the NGA Foundation and generously funded by the Asparagus Club, awards up to $4,000 each to the winning team of students and their university.