Board Concept

The Sam M. Walton College of Business Department of Marketing

Retail Advisory Board Vision

Purpose

The Retail Advisory Board (RAB) at the Sam M. Walton College of Business exists to support WCOB’s strategic priority of elevating the student experience and fostering student success. Members of the board will offer their insight and expertise to advance our Marketing academic program and curriculum by convening professionals from various industries and by:

  • Developing retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) related research and content
  • Formal and informal mentoring to students entering the field
  • Increasing on and off campus collaboration between industry experts and the Walton College, providing opportunities for student and faculty engagement

Structure

The RAB will convene biannually in the Fall and Spring. At these meetings, members will hear from academic and professional leadership regarding advances in the retail field, updates to the Walton College Department of Marketing Retail Program, and discuss any opportunities around our student focused mission. Throughout the year, members will engage with faculty and students through classes, panels, speaking, competitions, and other events hosted by the Department of Marketing and the RAB.

Membership

The RAB will comprise leaders spanning various industries such as retail, CPG, marketing agencies, and marketing research companies. Members will be polled annually to evaluate the engagement opportunities and solicit innovative ideas to support the board’s purpose. Judith Anne Garretson Folse, the Chair of the Department of Marketing, and Anne Velliquette, Retail Program Director will work with the advisory board chair to identify new members. Membership on the Retail Advisory Board is established through an annual contribution of $10,000, which supports student experiences and opportunities as well as curriculum development. Members gain access to value-added experiences and resources, such as:

 

  • Invitations to our bi-annual Retail Advisory Board meetings, and recognition as a thought leader and strategic visionary on the Retail Advisory Board Website.
  • Invitations as special guests to shape student learning through the expansion of practice-based and innovative learning experiences, preparing students with the skills needed for careers in your field.
  • Opportunities to engage with our undergraduate and graduate students during classes, competitions, and other networking events, giving members access to our best
  • Special invitation to Walton College sponsored events including the Business Forecast
  • Collaboration with leading academics in the retail

Potential Outcomes

The RAB will enhance the overall quality, relevance, and impact of Walton College and the Department of Marketing by fostering collaboration and meaningful connections with students, faculty, and industry leaders through:

 

    • Talent development and assessment
    • Preparing and equipping students to add value and be successful in retail related careers
    • Develop a content repository for academia and industry leaders
    • Known bench of academic talent/thought leadership
    • Increase student recruitment for related academic programs, organizations, and competitions
    • Increase collaboration with industries outside of NWA
    • Research opportunities such as white papers for faculty
    • Sponsor research for faculty and students
    • Provide networking and collaboration for students, faculty and industry professionals through in-person events
    • Connect students to industry and real-world perspectives in various ways
    • Industry leader engagement in courses (speaking, panels, competitions, and other opportunities)
    • Increase collaboration with other Marketing activities and programs such as NRF case competition, Shopper Mktg Brand Challenge, the Walton Retail student organization, and Sales program