KENNESAW, Ga. | Dec 22, 2025

As her journey at Kennesaw State University nears completion, senior Anna Spruill will end her penultimate semester on a high note after being awarded a scholarship from the National Retail Federation Foundation (NRF).

The award, sponsored by CVS Health, will cover her attendance at the 2026 NRF Student Program, a major national retail conference to be held in New York City in January. 

“I feel incredibly proud of myself,” said Spruill, a marketing major with minors in retail and consumer services, as well as advertising and digital media. “To receive a scholarship from a national foundation means so much to me. I think I’ve told everyone I know! It just feels like real proof of how hard I’ve worked and how far I’ve come.”

The NRF Student Program is a four-day event that brings students from across the country together for keynote sessions, industry panels, workshops, and networking. Spruill will have access to on-site interviews and career connections with major retail brands including Walmart, Best Buy, Viore, Coach and more. Scholarship recipients are also invited to a private dinner with senior executives from CVS Health. 

“This conference is going to be a huge opportunity,” said Spruill, who graduates in May. “My biggest goal is to graduate with a full-time job, and I’m really hopeful that meeting people and interviewing in New York will help me get there.”

A student at the Michael J. Coles College of Business, Spruill initially felt isolated while living off campus, and so made a deliberate attempt to immerse herself in campus life. She joined both the Marketing Club and the NRFSA club, eventually serving as one of the NRFSA’s social media coordinators. She also secured an internship in sales and management with leading fashion retailer, Buckle. 

“I decided I wasn’t going to sit in the back of the classroom anymore,” she said. “I started asking questions, joining organizations, meeting people. Getting involved changed everything for me.”

Spruill learned about the scholarship through KSU’s NRF Student Association, which she joined during her junior year. The group’s faculty advisor Heather Morgan encouraged her to apply.  

“Anna is the kind of student who fully embraces every opportunity placed in front of her and often creates new ones for herself and others,” said Morgan, clinical assistant professor of marketing. “As a marketing student and an active leader on our NRF student board, she is constantly advocating for involvement, professional growth, and community. Her recognition at the national level reflects her drive, leadership, and the caliber of students our university is proud to showcase on a national stage.”

Spruill encourages students to get involved on campus, sharing that some of her best opportunities came from experiences outside the classroom.

“Put yourself out there,” she said. “Join the club. Apply for the scholarship. Say yes to opportunities. None of this would have happened if I hadn’t taken that chance.”

Story by Christin Senior
Photo by Casie Wilson

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.