Collegiate DECA is a national organization for college students that prepares them for careers in marketing, merchandising or management. This year’s competition featured 25 events held across three categories involving individual case studies, team case studies, and prepared presentations. Heather Hoffman, former Missouri State Collegiate DECA president and current president of Collegiate DECA at Southeast, was among those who traveled to compete.

“It was very exciting to see everyone perform well in competition, especially the people who had never competed before,” said Hoffman. “I helped to lead part of the opening and award ceremony which was great as I was able to represent Southeast on stage.”

As incumbent president three years running, Hoffman has been instrumental in growing Southeast’s Collegiate DECA into what it is today.

“As with most organizations at that time, we struggled to retain new members,” said Hoffman. “The following year, I wanted to try new recruiting methods. I began presenting to business classes and we began volunteering at the SEMO Food Bank. We also began hosting events such as a tailgate and a BBQ that have become yearly traditions.”     

Hoffman’s efforts proved to be fruitful. Southeast’s Collegiate DECA remains the largest chapter in Missouri, boasting a membership of 40 students. Of those members, 21 traveled to compete in the state competition and 16 members are competing in the 2023 Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference and Competition, held in Orlando, Florida on April 15.

Hoffman, while excited for her club’s competitive success, wants to make sure those interested in joining DECA understand that the benefits extend beyond competition. 

“DECA has been an excellent way for me to grow my leadership skills, sharpen my business knowledge, and meet so many wonderful people,” said Hoffman. “It has made me more comfortable with public speaking, helped me to create better relationships with faculty, and allowed me to gain experience in my career field while still in college. Through DECA, I accomplished things I never thought were possible.”  

The following students received honors at the state level:

Team Case Studies Events

Business to Business Marketing:

• Heather Hoffman, marketing management major and David Oliver, marketing management major - Second Place.

Sports and Entertainment Marketing:

• Ernesto Rivera, marketing management major and Connor Eidson, business administration major - Second Place.
• Jenna Rankin, corporate communications and Caitlin Dehne, corporate communications and professional writing double major - Third Place.

Marketing and Communications:

• Ella Outman, mass communications major and Izzy Mostek, multimedia journalism major - Second Place.

International Marketing:

• Shun Ashiya, marketing major and Ryan Fink, digital and integrated marketing major - Second Place.

Financial Statement Analysis:

• Ashlyn Weatherford, finance major and Binanshika Basnet, accounting major - Third Place.

Individual Case Studies Events

Retail Management:

• Connor Eidson, business administration major - First Place.
• Heather Hoffman, marketing management major - Third Place.

Human Resource Management:

• Payton Gronborg, human resource management major - First Place.

 Fashion Merchandising and Marketing:

• Shyann Sampson, business administration major - First Place.

 Hotel and Lodging: 

• Caitlin Dehne, corporate communication and professional writing double major - Third Place.

Sales Management:

• Shun Ashiya, marketing major - First Place.

Prepared Presentations 

Emerging Technologies:  

• Phillip Francis, business administration major - Second Place.