Other articles by Christie Smythe:

Christie Smythe: Former 'Ugly house' franchise settles suitTucson firm accused of 'deceptive tactics' in foreclosure rescuesLocal builder Pathway files for Chapter 7 bankruptcyTucson's Pathway Developments files for bankruptcy liquidationArizona mortgage failures fuel crisisShovels poised at South Side shopping centerReal Estate by Christie Smythe: Housing slide cuts antique door salesTucson office market in cooldownTucson's median home price plunges by 7.5 percentPhoenix-area lender to add Tucson firm

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Named for University of Arizona graduate Terry J. Lundgren, the president, chairman and CEO of Macy's Inc., the University of Arizona's Center for Retailing has a strong reputation in the industry. Its annual Global Retailing Conference consistently attracts big-name speakers, including Vera Wang, Kenneth Cole and Tommy Hilfiger.

Leading the center is Melinda Burke, a retailing instructor with a storied career in the local market. Burke, who also serves as an internship coordinator, shared some of her thoughts on the success of the university's retail program and the challenges for graduates in a slower economy.

A. My responsibility is to build a bridge from "campus to career," bringing resources into the classroom and providing a launch pad for our graduates' careers. I work to prepare our graduates to be strategic thinkers with strong leadership and communication skills, and I build relationships with industry partners who interview and hire our graduates. My goal is to have our retailing and consumer-sciences major viewed as the nation's premier program in preparing the future leaders of the retailing industry.

A. I spent many years working in the retailing industry in California, Texas and Arizona. In Tucson I worked as a buyer for Levy's and then went on to become the general manager at Goldwater's Department Store back in the day when El Con Mall was the greatest mall in town. I was offered the opportunity to teach one class at the UA in 1993, and I have been here ever since.

A. The Global Retailing Conference has been an ongoing event in our center since 1995, and our speakers are consistently top-notch. There is little doubt, however, that having a high-profile industry leader like Terry Lundgren, CEO of Macy's, actively involved with our center has brought us great visibility, especially on the East Coast. Most important for us, he serves as a role model and mentor for our students.

We know that no matter how slow the economy may be currently, there will always be a retailing industry. Companies will still be seeking exceptional leaders, strategic thinkers and passionate future retailers. Our goal is to build a strong program so that our retail partners seek us out first to meet their recruiting needs.