Rachel Smith contributes to record performance at international DECA conference

2017 May 23

Rachel Smith from Mount Horeb, Wis., who is majoring in finance, helped UW-Whitewater Collegiate DECA with a record-setting performance at the International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, California, on April 26-29. Among more than 1,600 international competitors, the chapter earned 58 individual or team awards.

Smith was a top 10 international finisher in the Retail Management event. She also helped UW-Whitewater Collegiate DECA earn the Chapter Leadership Passport Award and the Chapter Community Service Award.

Frank Lanko, senior business career adviser and chapter adviser to UW-Whitewater DECA, shared, "From the success we enjoyed at the state conference to helping lead the State of Wisconsin to the largest delegation of competitors at ICDC, our students have had a terrific year. We are proud to represent UW-Whitewater."

With outstanding year-round engagement and leadership, the chapter received the Presidential Level Chapter Leadership Passport Award - the highest level of national recognition - for the third year in a row. And with 400 hours of community service, it earned the Chapter Community Service Award for the third year in a row.

Collegiate DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in colleges around the globe. Student members leverage their DECA experiences to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible and experienced leaders.