Collegiate DECA member discusses his journey through DECA

2010-10-05

After competing at state my junior year (just falling short of qualifying for ICDC), I decided to dive headfirst into DECA. During my senior year, I served Missouri DECA as a District Vice President, qualified for ICDC, and helped organize and run a national office campaign. It’s safe to say that DECA made my senior year what it was, and has helped shape my first few years in college as well. After high school, I went on to attend college at the University of Missouri.

When I first arrived there, I knew I wanted to continue DECA, but didn’t really know who to talk to or where to start. Luckily, the current State President, and soon to be National Vice President, Tyler Schnaidt, also attended Mizzou. Tyler shared the same passion and diligence for DECA that I did. The leadership and perseverance he exemplified served as a guideline for how I should utilize Collegiate DECA, and not just how to get out of the organization what I can, but also to help others through Collegiate DECA by sharing my experience and knowledge. Since then, I've gone on to serve Collegiate DECA in a variety of ways.

My freshman year I held office as our Passport Chair, helping our chapter achieve the Presidential level of the Passport Program. During my sophomore year I served not just my chapter as Vice President, but also the state of Missouri as the Collegiate DECA State President. Now in my junior year, I am the President of the Mizzou chapter. Overall the transition from high school DECA to Collegiate DECA was a fun and adventurous transition. The collegiate division presents many opportunities for expanded leadership roles, and an incredible opportunity to work with, network, and develop a relationship with a diverse array of students from all over the country.

I can truly say DECA and Collegiate DECA have helped shape me into the leader I am today, and will continue to develop and hone my skills to be the person I want to be in the future.

Joshua Johnson
President | University of Missouri Collegiate DECA