The streets of San Francisco will never be the same—and neither will the four Business Huskies who enjoyed a life-changing international competition and explorations of the city through their membership in Michigan Tech DECA. In April, four College of Business students and members of the Michigan Tech Chapter of DECA Collegiate traveled to San Francisco, California for the 2025 International Career Development Conference hosted by DECA, Inc.
Collegiate DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers through the practice of business problem-solving in hospitality, management, entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing. Competitors demonstrate and put their knowledge to the test through real-life case studies, hands-on research, and prepared presentations. At the annual competition, Huskies went head to head in a series of business-based case study competitions with other DECA members from around the world.
Students qualified to proceed to international competition by turning in award-winning presentations at the state of Michigan’s DECA Career Development conference earlier this year. They include operation and supply chain management majors Allyana Grochowski and Veronica Frystak, ’26. Frystak is also majoring in marketing. Marketing and management information systems major Dylan Dunneback, ’27, and marketing and management major Jaylen Body, ’25, complete the quartet of competition qualifiers.
Grochowski and Dunneback partnered for the digital marketing strategies competition, which focused on developing strategies for a cybersecurity company. The duo’s solution tied in concepts of social media marketing and website applications to devise a unique company promotion.
Body took fourth place in the hotel and lodging category. Frystak was a top 20 finalist in the fashion merchandising and marketing category.
In addition to applying the business skills they learned in the classroom during competition, Business Huskies also networked with their national and international peers and explored the city of San Francisco.
Frystak, who serves as president of Michigan Tech DECA, organized the successful trip. A former high school DECA participant, she was excited to continue to be part of the organization at the collegiate level and for the opportunity to attend internationals.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to know yourself and your skills and then be recognized for your efforts in a competition like DECA,” Frystak said. “This organization has helped me improve professionally in regards to networking, communication, and presentation skills and also on a personal level. It’s helped me understand my goals and ambitions and how to get there. Anyone can easily benefit from the experiences that DECA offers to its members!”
The event marked the second time Body has attended an International DECA Conference since he restarted the organization at Tech during his first year as a College of Business student in 2021. He couldn’t be more proud of the progress and direction that the club has taken since then, from building membership to competition achievements. He’s proud to have been able to grow professionally through his time with the organization.
“Being a part of DECA has really allowed me to apply my management and marketing skills in business situations relevant to industry,” Body said. “For anyone looking to expand their presentation, public speaking, and problem-solving skills, I recommend joining DECA because the skills you gain will carry over into your career.”
In their free time, the group traveled around San Francisco in self-driving vehicles to visit local businesses and renowned corporations like Salesforce and LinkedIn. They explored Alcatraz Island and Ghirardelli Square, snapshotted the Golden Gate Bridge, and watched a San Francisco Giants baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Oracle Park. “Not only did Michigan Tech DECA members become stronger professionally, they also formed lifelong friendships with each other from having such an incredible experience together in California,” said Body.
Michigan Tech DECA will once more compete at the state and, potentially, international level next year in downstate Michigan and Lexington, Kentucky, respectively. This year’s international team wishes the best of luck to future College of Business competitors!
Michigan Tech DECA is grateful to the sponsors who helped make the trip possible: the College of Business, Inter-Residence Hall Council, the Parent Fund through the Dean of Students Office, and the Undergraduate Student Government Opportunity Fund.
About the College of Business
The Michigan Tech College of Business prepares tomorrow’s business professionals through STEM-infused, AACSB-accredited degree programs and minors. The college offers nine bachelor of science programs in accounting, business analytics, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, management, management information systems, and marketing; and four master of science programs in accounting and analytics, applied natural resource economics, engineering management, and the TechMBA®.
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