All Recent Articles

Filter by division:

Compete

Get Ready for Round One of the DECA Virtual Business Challenge

Sep 30, 2025

You won't want to miss the annual DECA Virtual Business Challenge! DECA VBC is an official competitive event free to high school members. Participate and you could earn a trip to ICDC and a share of over $20,000 in scholarship money.

College Success

History Has Its Eyes on You: How to Make Your College Essay Stand Out

Sep 30, 2025

While Hamilton wrote 51 essays to defend the Constitution, we only have to write one for college. One simple yet weighted essay can redirect our lives. So here are three factors to consider as you brainstorm your college essay topic.

Chapter Strategy

Shop 'Till You Drop: Ways to Celebrate SBE Week At Your School

Sep 29, 2025

2025 DECA SBE Week is here, and we couldn't be more excited! Here are some ways to celebrate with your school-based enterprise.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Reduce, Reuse or Recycle - Hotel Renovations

Sep 29, 2025

Step into the role of the general manager of Lilac Inn, an independent hotel property in a city of 30,000 people. The owner wants you to identify waste redirection opportunities that could lead to a better brand image.

Career Insights

The Nitro Bar: A Coffee Cart turned Famous $4.5M Brand

Sep 29, 2025

In honor of National Coffee Day, here’s a Rhode Island success story that shows how smart marketing can transform a business from a coffee cart to a viral sensation.

College Success

Top 10 Test Taking Tips for the Digital SAT

Sep 27, 2025

If you’re planning to take the digital SAT, the good news is there are no secrets—the SAT isn’t out to trick you. Here are the top 10 test-taking tips from College Board, the makers of the SAT

Chapter Strategy

Advisor Best Practice Spotlight of the Week: Eric Wagner

Sep 26, 2025

DECA Advisor Eric Wagner is giving his students more than classroom lessons—he’s providing real-world financial and leadership experiences through the chapter’s student-run credit union.

Chapter Strategy

Mixing It Up: The Secret Recipe to SBE Success

Sep 25, 2025

It's important to curate the perfect recipe for your school’s SBE and come up with ingredients to make it the best experience for your students. Here are three ingredients for making your SBE successful!

Chapter Strategy

Unlocking Recruitment Success: Insights from 4 Chapter Leaders

Sep 25, 2025

Attracting new and recurring members is a process that requires planning, collaboration and perseverance. Here are 4 chapter leaders’ insights on how to succeed at DECA recruitment.

Spotlights

DECA Duck Takes Flight at Smithville High School

Sep 24, 2025

Smithville High School’s DECA chapter has a new mascot, DECA Duck. What started as just a blue rubber ducky idea has become a school spirit sensation at DECA events and recruiting activities.

Chapter Strategy

IBM SkillsBuild to Launch 8-Part Webinar Series on AI for Educators

Sep 24, 2025

Starting September 25th, IBM SkillsBuild is launching an incredible 8-part webinar series designed specifically for educators ready to be enabled and become force multipliers.

College Success

Major Keys: Unlocking College Success with a DECA Mindset

Sep 23, 2025

Success doesn’t come from luck; it comes from preparation, strategy, mindset and staying true to yourself. For many, college feels like the biggest stage of their life. But in reality, it’s actually not all that different from being a DECA member.

Career Insights

NRF Opportunities for Collegiate DECA Members

Sep 18, 2023

Prepare for your retail career with the National Retail Federation Foundation with these virtual events and scholarship opportunities.

College Success

Scholarship Applications 101

Sep 18, 2023

As you begin your scholarship profile and applications, it’s important to remember application requirements, important information and tips for submissions. Scholarships are due January 12, 2024!

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Risks vs Benefits of Drive-thrus

Sep 18, 2023

Step into the role of the director of operations for Shake-A-Palooza, a chain of quick service restaurants. The president of Shake-A-Palooza wants to understand how adding drive-thrus to the 20 new locations could benefit the location, sales and the customers.

Compete

Top 5 Tips for Prepared Events

Sep 15, 2023

DECA's prepared events require a written project and a prepared presentation, and some require participants to take a career cluster exam. As you begin working on your prepared event for the year, check out these five tips to help you throughout the process!

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Successful Channels for Size Inclusion

Sep 11, 2023

Step into the role of the merchandising manager for Hot Shot, an apparel chain that targets Gen Z and young Millennial females. The vice president wants you to choose a distribution plan for a new product line.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Should C-Suite Be on Social Media?

Sep 4, 2023

Step into the role of the director of human resources at the Organization of Travel Agents, an organization that educates, promotes and lobbies for travel agents across the nation. The executive director wants you to analyze whether the executive director should have a professional presence on social media.

DECA News

Shop DECA Back to School Must-haves

Sep 1, 2023

Finishing up your back-to-school shopping? Add these ten essential additions to your Shop DECA back-to-school list!

Chapter Strategy

Elevate Your Future: The DECA Chapter Meeting Experience

Sep 1, 2023

In this article, explore how chapter meetings are your gateway to personal and professional growth. From learning how to network like a pro to sharpening your problem-solving skills, chapter meetings are where the magic happens.

Chapter Strategy

The Three R’s: Remember, Reward, Recognize

Sep 1, 2023

Read about DECA’s twist on the three R’s, with the five ways to recognize members, further incentivize involvement within the organization and get them excited for this year’s activities!

Chapter Strategy

The Path to Success in Collegiate DECA

Sep 1, 2023

Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a newcomer curious about what DECA could offer you, taking those steps forward can provide limitless opportunities and endless possibilities for you in Collegiate DECA.

Leadership

The Importance of Culture

Sep 1, 2023

Whether your chapter has been around for ten years or you're just starting out, it's important to be intentional about creating culture. As your DECA chapter jumps back into the school year, consider how this interview can apply directly to your chapter's culture.

Case Study of the Week

Case Study of the Week: Staying Connected after an Acquisition

Aug 28, 2023

Step into the role of the owner of Honeysuckle Faire. After 20 years of growing Honeysuckle Faire, you decided it was time to exit the company. Executives at Spring Made have offered you four options to stay connected to Honeysuckle Faire once the acquisition is final.