The Department of Retailing maintains close ties with both businesses and other organizations in the community. The Department has an Advisory Board composed of business leaders from across the country. Members of the board are actively involved in such activities as curriculum planning, recruitment on campus, and financial development.
Instructors use guest speakers on a regular basis to bring the work world into the classroom.
Many classes are also involved with projects in the community such as fashion shows and market research studies. The Center for Retailing has conducted numerous research studies for local, state, and national businesses and organizations. Each year students in the fashion merchandising program plan, organize, and implement a fashion show for various groups or agencies in the community. Students have presented fashion shows during the Christmas holidays and at other strategic times for the fashion industry. Proceeds from the event benefited the Lexington Medical Center Foundation.