Adelphi University has announced an exciting new partnership with LumiNicole, a next-generation alternative retail marketplace that will bring beauty and wellness products to the University’s Garden City campus.
Adelphi is the first University where LumiNicole automated retail stores will be installed—positioning the University as a national model for integrating retail innovation with student success.
“Our partnership with LumiNicole is about meeting students where they are and continuing to evolve the campus experience,” said Maggie Yoon Grafer, Adelphi’s associate vice president of university advancement & external relations. “As the first university to bring LumiNicole’s automated retail technology to campus, we’re doing more than adding convenience; we’re positioning our Garden City campus as a leader in retail innovation, creating meaningful job opportunities for our students and ensuring this partnership gives back to our community.”
LumiNicole—founded by Kendra Bracken-Ferguson and Leslie Roberson, two entrepreneurs with a track record of building and scaling beauty and wellness platforms by solving access and distribution challenges—aims to transform how beauty and wellness products reach consumers in high-traffic, nontraditional environments. Its expansion to install smart retail machines in higher education institutions to reach college students—starting with Adelphi—is a key part of this initiative.
“The Adelphi University launch represents an important milestone for LumiNicole and for how campuses can thoughtfully support student well-being,” said LumiNicole Co-Founder Kendra Bracken-Ferguson. “This partnership provides convenient access to beauty and wellness essentials that meet everyday needs, while intentionally creating paid, on-campus opportunities for students. Together with Adelphi, we’re reimagining how retail, education and career exposure can intersect in ways that meaningfully support academic success and long-term career readiness.”
Creating Career Development and Scholarship Opportunities For Adelphi Students
In addition to the automated retail store, LumiNicole will partner with Adelphi to provide job development and other opportunities, including an internship, a brand ambassador program for Adelphi students and a scholarship. The LumiNicole Beauty & Wellness Scholarship was established to support Adelphi students whose studies align with chemistry, science, supply chain, technology, manufacturing, marketing, communications and operational infrastructure that powers modern beauty and wellness businesses.
“From the beginning, LumiNicole was designed to do more than sell products; it was built to create pathways for career advancement and education,” said LumiNicole Co-Founder Leslie Roberson. “The LumiNicole Beauty & Wellness Scholarship reflects our shared commitment with Adelphi University to experiential learning, industry alignment and career readiness. Through hands-on retail experiences, paid internships and our student ambassador program, we’re helping prepare the next generation of professionals for the evolving beauty and wellness industry.”
The LumiNicole automated retail stores will include beauty and wellness products from brands such as BeautyStat, founded by Adelphi alumnus Ron Robinson ’87.
“As an Adelphi alum and the founder of a science-backed beauty brand, it’s incredibly meaningful to see innovation and opportunity coming full circle on campus,” said Robinson. “LumiNicole’s presence at Adelphi creates real exposure for students to learn how modern beauty and wellness businesses operate, from formulation and supply chain to merchandising and consumer engagement. I’m proud to be part of a partnership that not only brings great products to campus, but also opens doors for students who aspire to build careers in this industry.”
Adelphi and LumiNicole will host a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony and launch event to unveil the automated retail stores at Adelphi’s Garden City campus on Thursday, March 26. Robinson and other executives from beauty and wellness companies who have products featured in the machines will be in attendance.
Learn more about Adelphi’s partnership with LumiNicole.