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Spotlights

From the Soccer Field to the DECA Stage: Starting the Kingwood High School Chapter

Sep 3, 2025

From chasing Division 1 dreams on the soccer field to building one of Texas's fastest-growing DECA chapters, I discovered that true leadership is about more than wins. It's about finding your voice, creating community and inspiring others to rise.

Chapter Strategy

Building and Leading a Strong Officer Team

Sep 3, 2025

Building a strong DECA officer team takes effort, but it can make all the difference in a chapter's success. Explore the values that build a strong chapter officer team!

Spotlights

Stepping Into DECA: Lessons From My First Year

Sep 3, 2025

Are you a student who's new to DECA? If so, here's my advice from someone who was once in your shoes.

Chapter Strategy

Racing into the School Year: East Paulding DECA's Membership Recruitment Campaign and Tactics

Sep 3, 2025

At East Paulding DECA, we were pleasantly challenged when the national DECA "Go the Extra" theme was released. After much thought and discussion, we happily chose a thrilling race car theme for our school's campaign.

DECA News

Get Ready to Access Your Free Adobe Express for Education Account

Sep 2, 2025

As part of DECA’s partnership with Adobe, all advisors and members can access Adobe Express for Education for free. Find out how to access your account and get started with your content creation today!

Compete

Mastering Money: Why Finance Events Are Essential for DECA Members

Sep 2, 2025

Finance events help DECA members build real-world money management and consulting skills. From budgeting and investments to teamwork and client communication, this cluster prepares students for success both in and out of the competition setting.

Chapter Strategy

Advisor Best Practice Spotlight of the Week: Lisa Cline

Sep 2, 2025

Lisa Cline, DECA advisor at North Forsyth High School in Georgia, has built an SBE program that not only raises funds for her DECA chapter, but also prepares students with skills they will use for life.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Hobbies for Veterinarian Office Employees

Sep 1, 2025

Step into the role of the human resources manager at Riverside Pet Clinic, a veterinarian office with 55 employees. The owner wants you to determine how to encourage all employees to participate in a hobby.

Chapter Strategy

Taking your Chapter’s SBE to the Extra Level

Sep 1, 2025

Once your SBE is up and running, the real challenge begins: growing it. Expanding your customer base, increasing sales and elevating your chapter’s presence takes strategy, creativity and a team ready to level up.

Compete

How to Choose Your DECA Competitive Event

Sep 1, 2025

One of the most exciting things about joining DECA is choosing your competitive event. With so many categories, it can be overwhelming at first, but your event should challenge you and also cater to your strengths.

Leadership

Your Freshman Year Playbook: Four Tips for a Strong Start

Sep 1, 2025

Freshman year is among the most exciting and important times in your high school journey. Here are four tips to set a strong foundation for your high school experience!

College Success

More Than a Tour: 7 Tips to Make the Most of College Visits

Sep 1, 2025

For high school DECA members, college tours can transform uncertainty into certainty. Approach them with an open mindset, curiosity and, of course, good walking shoes. Here are seven tips to Go The Extra on your next college visit.

Leadership

DECA Talks: The GRIT It Takes to Seek Success

Dec 11, 2019

The secret to outstanding achievement is not talent or privilege, but grit: a special blend of passion and persistence for long-term goals.

Leadership

DECA Talks: Just Say Yes

Dec 11, 2019

Ever felt torn when presented with a cool new opportunity? Learn how choosing to say “yes” can lead to easier decision-making in the future…and some cool opportunities along the way.

Conferences

Look Back on Collegiate DECA ENGAGE in Chicago

Nov 26, 2019

Nearly 300 Collegiate DECA members from 17 associations attended the 2019 ENGAGE Conference in Chicago, IL on November 21-23, 2019.

Career Insights

DECA Direct Magazine: Entrepreneurship

Nov 25, 2019

The Entrepreneurship Issue features tips, resources and how-to guides to help kickstart your next entrepreneurial endeavor.

College Success

How Studying Abroad Can Help You Become an Entrepreneur

Nov 17, 2019

Studying abroad has many benefits, teaches you life skills and equips you with qualities that can be found in entrepreneurs. Here are just a few of the things you can learn from studying abroad that will help with your future career aspirations.

DECA News

2019 DECA Pumpkin Contest Winners

Nov 5, 2019

The annual DECA Pumpkin Contest is always a great time for members and advisors to show off their creativity and DECA pride. This year did not disappoint!

Chapter Strategy

DECA Direct Magazine: Here We Go

Oct 8, 2019

The Back to School issue features tips on selecting your competitive event, a guide to setting goals for the upcoming year and everything you need to get started this year in DECA!

Compete

Getting Started with Prepared Events

Oct 2, 2019

For those of you that have competed in DECA’s prepared events, you know that writing a quality paper, coupled with delivering a presentation, can be hard and tedious work.

Career Insights

Behind the Scenes at Disney World

Sep 30, 2019

This summer, DECA's executive officer team got a chance to peek behind the curtain (and underground) to see what makes Walt Disney World truly magical. Officers took part in training sessions through the Disney College Program, exploring leadership and culture through the Disney lens.

Chapter Strategy

#Goals for Your Year

Sep 30, 2019

Before jumping into your goals for the year, it’s important to start with that passion. Why is DECA important? What can DECA do for the students in your school and your community? In a few sentences, explain your vision for your DECA chapter. If it was everything that it could be, what would it be? Use this vision as a guide as you are setting goals for your chapter.

Chapter Strategy

Your Chapter's Best Year Yet

Sep 30, 2019

No matter your goals for the year, membership is the foundation of every DECA chapter. It’s important to plan ahead to reach potential new members and find innovative ways to engage your current members as well. With more than 10 years of DECA experience under their belts, Collegiate DECA Executive Officers Lindsay Joyner and Max May share their secrets to successfully growing chapter membership.

Compete

4 Things You Must Remember While Public Speaking

Sep 3, 2019

Did you know that 4 out of 5 people have a fear of public speaking? If you’re one of them, then keep reading because public speaking is such an important part of DECA.