Three Northwood University students were elected Michigan Collegiate DECA state officers at the DECA State Career Development Conference on February 3 in Dearborn, Michigan.
Northwood junior accounting and finance major De’Andre Kemp-Jordan, Detroit, was named President, sophomore international business major Matthew Vaillancourt, Chesterfield, was named Vice President, and freshman international business major Elaine Murray, Roscommon, was named secretary. Murray is also a Northwood BBA/MBA student, a rigorous pathway where students complete both degrees in four years.
The three officers will represent Michigan Collegiate DECA at the 2019 Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference, April 13 to 16, in Orlando, Florida. Their adviser, Northwood professor John Gustincic, who has been instrumental in growing Northwood’s DECA team from just three students in 2015 to more than 30 in 2017, said the all-business school shares the values of the DECA organization.
“Both DECA and Northwood University have missions to prepare leaders and entrepreneurs for the future of business globally,” said Gustincic. “It is a natural fit for Northwood students who also participate in DECA to take on a leadership role in Michigan, and we are proud that they will represent our state at the international conference.”
The DECA organization represents more than 15,000 members on 250 campuses globally preparing for careers in business disciplines such as marketing, finance, hospitality, management and entrepreneurship.
