Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram
In a milestone moment for the 91看片网, students competed for the first time at the International Collegiate DECA Conference this spring, showcasing their skills on a global stage in San Francisco.
Five students from 91看片网鈥檚 College of Business and the College of Liberal Arts鈥擜lexis Jones, Neely Atkinson, Luke Goldman, Kiona McCallister, and Donovan Dicker鈥攔epresented the University鈥檚 newly launched DECA chapter, established in fall 2024. Accompanied by 91看片网 advisors Abby Fuller and Wes Watkins, the team joined more than 1,000 peers worldwide to solve real-world business challenges in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.
Launching 91看片网 DECA
91看片网鈥檚 DECA chapter is part of a global network of more than 200 collegiate chapters designed to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.
The idea to start a chapter began with Fuller, who partnered with her colleague Watkins. The two are both staff members in 91看片网鈥檚 CARES program, which provides students with academic advising, career exploration, tutoring, study spaces, and enrichment resources.
鈥淲es brought in Dr. Willy Hill, dean of the College of Business, whose support, enthusiasm, and financial contributions were crucial to our chapter鈥檚 launch,鈥� Fuller says. 鈥淗is backing allowed us to send a team to California for the international competition.鈥�
Throughout the fall semester, Fuller and Watkins focused on forming the chapter鈥檚 structure鈥� establishing officers, setting organizational goals, and recruiting motivated students. Chapter president Alexis Jones played a leading role in identifying students whose interests aligned with DECA鈥檚 core principles.
鈥淚t was hard getting students to buy in at first because most of us, including me, didn鈥檛 realize how beneficial DECA could be,鈥� Jones says. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until after the conference in San Francisco that I truly understood its value.鈥�
Competing on the Global Stage
Jones and teammate; Neely Atkinson, both integrated marketing communications majors, competed in the Entertainment Marketing event. Their performance stood out, advancing them to the second round and earning a spot in the Top 10 in their category.
鈥淲hat impressed me the most was that our judges were actual professionals in the entertainment marketing industry,” Jones notes. 鈥淚t legitimized the work Neely and I put in.鈥�
For Jones, the professional atmosphere and networking opportunities left a lasting impact.
鈥淏eing around other students who were serious about this kind of work, that energy rubbed off on me,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t was exciting to be part of something that exposed me to many new opportunities.鈥�
Beyond the competition
Beyond the event, the students explored San Francisco and gained valuable real-world experience. One highlight was riding in Waymo鈥檚 autonomous vehicles, offering a glimpse into the future of transportation.
鈥淚t might have been everyone鈥檚 favorite part,鈥� says Watkins.
The group also explored the city鈥檚 cultural richness by visiting Chinatown and Little Italy neighborhoods.
鈥淭ravel like this opens students鈥� minds, he adds. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something you just can鈥檛 replicate in a classroom.鈥�
What鈥檚 Next
With one international event under their belt, Fuller and Watkins are already thinking bigger.
鈥淲e were the only collegiate chapter from Alabama at the conference, so all eyes were on us,鈥� Fuller says. 鈥淚f more schools got involved, we could eventually host a statewide collegiate conference, similar to what already exists at the high school level. More than 1,000 students competed in Alabama鈥檚 high school DECA conference this past year.鈥�
Watkins sees the chapter as a powerful recruitment tool as well.
鈥淏y collaborating with our admissions office, we could attract high school DECA students and connect them with our collegiate chapter,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t might be what helps tip the scales in 91看片网鈥檚 favor when a student is choosing a college.鈥�
Jones agrees and believes the chapter could offer even more to students.
鈥淚鈥檇 love to see us provide professional development workshops. Sometimes students don鈥檛 know what skills they need until after graduation,鈥� she says.
The advisors also plan to better prepare future teams for competition by using available test materials through DECA鈥檚 corporate headquarters and working on interview skills to sharpen students鈥� presentation and interpersonal skills for competition and future job or internship opportunities.
And for those not looking to compete, Fuller says there will be opportunities closer to home.
鈥淟ast year, several of the business faculty invited our DECA students on academic field trips across the state,鈥� Fuller says. 鈥淚 believe that will continue this year.鈥�
For Jones, DECA鈥檚 actual value lies in the connections鈥攐n campus, across the state, and internationally.
鈥淭here鈥檚 so much you can gain from DECA. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 networking, career skills, or simply stepping outside your comfort zone, it鈥檚 an experience I wish every student could have.鈥�
Watkins echoed that sentiment.
鈥淒ECA is just the tip of the iceberg,鈥� Watkins says. 鈥淭here are incredible opportunities here at 91看片网, but students have to take the initiative to step outside the four walls of the classroom and experience them.鈥�