Each year, the Collegiate DECA Executive Officer Team develops a Program of Leadership to guide its work. For 2026–2027, our POL focuses on three priorities - Leadership Development, Member Engagement and Member Recruitment - all designed to help you become the Next Big Thing.
Leadership Development
Collegiate DECA will connect members with alumni, professional members, advisors and industry leaders through mentorship, career conversations, panels and professional development sessions. These experiences will take place during conferences, virtual calls and chapter programming throughout the year.
Competition preparation will also be strengthened through role-play guidance, written event tips, sample timelines, articles and chapter-ready materials. These tools will be shared before association conferences and ICDC to help members prepare with greater confidence.
Member Engagement
Member engagement will focus on celebrating the members and chapters that make Collegiate DECA successful. Chapter spotlights, member interviews, advisor features, alumni stories, association highlights and social media takeovers will be shared regularly across Collegiate DECA platforms.
One Diamond Calls, Founder Forums, President’s Calls and Executive Officer Office Hours will give members, advisors and chapter leaders a direct way to ask questions, exchange ideas and discuss topics like chapter development, recruitment and competition preparation.
Member Recruitment
Collegiate DECA will create practical tools for chapter recruitment, retention and operations. These will include meeting guides, advisor materials, officer transition resources, campus outreach tools and high school-to-collegiate transition materials.
Students starting or rebuilding chapters will receive step-by-step guidance through Founder Forums, office hours and direct communication. Startup checklists, advisor outreach templates, recruitment materials, sample constitutions and meeting structures will help founders move from interest to active membership.
Connections between High School DECA, Collegiate DECA, alumni and professional members will also help students continue their DECA journey while expanding mentorship, networking and conference collaboration.
Becoming the Next Big Thing
This year’s Program of Leadership is centered on preparing members, strengthening chapters and growing Collegiate DECA. Together, we will become the Next Big Thing.
