Each year, Collegiate DECA’s Executive Officer Team sets the course with a clear and focused Program of Leadership (POL), guiding the team’s efforts to support, engage, and develop members across the great organization. For 2025-2026, the POL focuses on three core priorities: Member Engagement, Member Recruitment and Leadership Development.
Member Engagement
This year, we’re committed to strengthening the Collegiate DECA experience by fostering a greater sense of community and connection. Through consistent communication, recognition of members and more opportunities to interact with the Executive Officer Team, we aim to make every member feel valued, seen and supported through their DECA journey.
This will be done through public and private recognition efforts. The officer team will continue the Collegiate DECA Calls (ONE Diamond, Founder’s Forum and Presidents Council Call Series), ensuring timely communication and allowing members to meet with the executive officers directly. New types of calls will also be piloted throughout the year to gauge interest.
Member Recruitment
As Collegiate DECA grows, supporting existing chapters and welcoming new ones remains a top priority. We’re focused on smoothing the transition from high school to collegiate DECA, while enhancing tools and resources that help chapters develop and succeed. We’re working to strengthen resources by increasing chapter support by updating the Chapter Leadership Guide, which will benefit both chapter leaders and founders.
The officers are also focused on growing promotion for collegiate DECA, with high school members likely to continue their DECA journey into college.
Leadership Development
Preparing members for life after college is critical to our mission. This year’s POL also includes expanding opportunities for career exploration and enhancing competition-related resources. The goal is to provide experiences that help members gain confidence, sharpen their ideas about their future and build lasting connections.
Networking opportunities will be expanded, and resources to allow members to envision their careers after college will be implemented. Current resources for competition preparation will also be enhanced to help members better understand which competitions best fit their interests and future career aspirations.
Let’s Go The Extra Together
This year’s POL focuses on bridging the gap between executive officers and members while recognizing members' hard work throughout the year as they prepare for their careers. Let’s Go The Extra together!
