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DECA Direct Magazine: Next Level Leadership
A new school year brings new chances to elevate your leadership to the next level. Discover fresh ideas to enhance your chapter and become a leader worth following in your school, community and beyond.
The Next Level is Inclusion
It has never been more important for emerging leaders to be characterized by teamwork, innovation, competency and integrity. Fortunately, those are the valued characteristics of DECA’s student leaders. What if this moment needs you and the unique values that drive your leadership?
Top Tips for Socially-distant Membership Recruitment
Building your chapter’s membership is one of the most important ways to set it up for success in the new school year. But what are the best ways to recruit within the “new normal” of more virtual interactions and less in-person activities? Learn how to recruit new members the socially-distant way with these top tips.
The Power of the Diamond
Throughout your DECA career, you’ll wear the blazer, throw up a DECA diamond symbol and add lots of blue to your wardrobe. You will also undoubtedly hear DECA’s core values and mission statement more times than you can count. But have you ever stopped to think about what they really mean?
Cultivate Your Chapter’s Culture
2020 is a year that has changed all of our lives. If your DECA chapter has experienced a decline in recent months, struggling to cope with virtual meetings and maintain engagement, your chapter culture may need a boost.
Discover Your DECA Leadership Style
There are hundreds of assessments to help you pinpoint your leadership traits, but the only one you need to take your leadership to the next level is the DECA Leadership Style Quiz.
Influence with Informal Leadership
While you may not have an official leadership title, you still have the ability to help take your chapter to the #NextLevel with your informal leadership influence. Read on to learn more about informal leadership and how you can use it to make this year a success for you and your chapter.
5 Tips for Your Freshman Year
Entering high school can be a nerve-wracking experience, but remember you're not alone! To help calm your nerves and ensure you start off on the right foot, follow these five tips for your freshman year.
DECA Members Raise $7,000 Through the MDA Muscle Corp Program
DECA members raised over $7,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) this summer through the pilot MDA Muscle Corp Program. Twenty-one DECA members successfully completed the program and earned 40 hours of community service.
Mountain View High School Virtual Recruitment
Like for many chapters, this year’s DECA kickoff meeting was unique for Mountain View High School in Georgia. Even though the meeting was held through Zoom, the chapter still found a way to make it one of their best meetings yet.
How to Raise Your Membership to the #NextLevel
As we enter a new year, it's time to get excited about membership recruitment! We know this year is going to look different, so here are some tips for taking your recruitment efforts to the #NextLevel!
Watch Now: The 2020-2021 #NextLevel Membership Video
This is not just another year. This is the year we push our limits and set our sights higher than ever before. No matter what your dreams and goals for the future, propel yourself to the #NextLevel with DECA.
Lead in the Moment: How Presence Sets Real Leaders Apart
Are you leading or just reacting? Discover how consistently showing up with deep intention sets you apart as a leader.
A Look Back on Collegiate DECA Engage in Tampa
Over 200 Collegiate DECA members attended the 2025 Engage Conference in Tampa, Florida, on October 23-25, 2025.
Don't Be Spooked! What to Expect at Your First DECA Conference
DECA can sound scary, but compared to classic monsters like zombies, vampires and ghosts, DECA is like a breath of fresh air with a side of blazers. Here is what to expect at your first DECA Conference.
8 Tips for How to Negotiate a Raise or Hourly Pay
Thinking of asking for a raise? Here are 8 actionable tips from Intuit on how to ask for more money and approach conversations around hourly pay.
Getting “Engaged” at Collegiate DECA Engage 2025
In this article, Collegiate DECA Engage Content Creator, Myles Frueh, recaps how members of Collegiate DECA were truly getting “engaged” throughout the conference in Tampa.
Case Study of the Week: The Perks of Student Banking
Step into the role of a banker at Capital Bank. A new customer wants to know more about the bank’s student banking account.
Beyond the Glass: How DECA Competition Builds Real-World Leadership
From competition to chapter leadership, here’s how DECA gives members the tools to think on their feet, take initiative and make an impact in their schools, communities and future careers.
A Month Full Of Memories: How to Prepare for DECA Month's Social Media Challenge
DECA Month is filled with engagement, spotlights and celebrations for everything related to DECA. Here are some tips and tricks on how to dominate the DECA Month Social Media Challenge before November begins.
DECA and Piper Sandler Complete 50th Semi-Annual Survey
DECA and Piper Sandler completed the 50th semi-annual Taking Stock With Teens® survey. This survey highlights discretionary spending trends and brand preferences among more than 10K teens across the U.S., with an average age of 15.7.
Celebrate DECA Month this November
#DECAMonth is the ultimate celebration of all things DECA. Throughout November, members reflect on their favorite DECA memories, take part in DECA's programs and showcase the many reasons they love being a DECA member.
Case Study of the Week: Designing Album Cover Art
Step into the role of a marketing communications consultant. You have been hired by the manager of the folk-rock band Kingsley, to create branding for their upcoming debut album.
Elevating DECA in the Classroom: Highlights & Insights from AMPED 2025
This three-day conference featured an industry immersion series and two days of educational sessions on implementing DECA into the classroom.
