UNT freshman Emma Restivo attended the National Retail Federation Big Show and Student Program in January thanks to the Rising Star Award.

The award is granted by the National Retail Federation to a student who shows promise in digital retailing. At the New York City-based event, industry executives mentored attendees.

"It was really inspiring to hear from people who started out just like me and then reached these top-level positions," says Restivo, who is double majoring in digital retailing and home furnishings merchandising.

Linda Mihalick, senior director of UNT's Global Digital Retailing Research Center, says Restivo won the scholarship based on her drive to learn more in class and her dedication to the UNT chapter of the National Retail Federation Student Association.