Earlier this semester, eight students from the Michigan Tech College of Business traveled to Bay City, Michigan, to represent the University at the Collegiate DECA 2026 State Career Development Conference (SCDC). Their performances did not disappoint, as the Business Huskies carried on a College tradition of placing in the state round and qualifying to advance to the international competition.
Competing against university chapters from across Michigan, the Michigan Tech team participated in a series of business-based case studies, hands-on research projects, and prepared presentations. Students competed individually and in teams across five core pillars: hospitality, management, entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing. Beyond the competition floor, MTU DECA members, including statistics major Cassidy Olivastri, finance major Cal Crowder, general business major Drake Sellick, and psychology major Nick Grindel, who is minoring in business, engaged in networking sessions with peers from other Michigan chapters. DECA members also participated in a community service event, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to professional growth and social responsibility.
Four Huskies distinguished themselves as state finalists through their exceptional performance in individual and team events.
In the individual case study competitions, marketing major Isaac Zull earned a third-place finish in the Financial Accounting category. Allyana Grochowski, a senior in supply chain and operations management, was recognized as a finalist in the Human Resources competition category.
The chapter’s success continued in the team categories, where Michigan Tech secured two runner-up positions. Maia Nelson and Noah Leipnitz took second place in Marketing Communications. Nelson is a marketing major, while Liepnitz majors in engineering management and marketing. The duo of Grochowski and Zull also secured a second-place finish in Digital Marketing Strategies.
Their strong performances qualified all four Business Huskies to advance to the 2026 International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Louisville, Kentucky, April 17-22.
For many members, DECA’s benefits represent far more than winning awards. The organization is a bridge between the classroom and the professional world. Grochowski, who has served as MTU DECA’s fundraising chair, vice president, and president, said her three years with the organization have been “truly fulfilling.”
“I’ve learned how to work through business challenges professionally while applying the knowledge I’ve gained as a student in the College of Business,” she said. “Competing has also given me the confidence to express my creativity in new ways. The students I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside over the past three years have brought out the best in me. They pushed me toward excellence while trusting me in a leadership role, which is something I’m incredibly grateful for.”
Nelson, MTU DECA’s newly elected president, said that being part of the organization and its events has shaped her career path:
“Competing at SCDC has significantly grown my confidence in my public speaking skills and contributed greatly to my professional development. Applying what I’ve learned in my courses at Tech to real competition scenarios has reassured me that I chose the right career path,” she said. “Through competing, networking, and taking on leadership roles in DECA, my confidence has continued to grow and has even inspired me to pursue entrepreneurial goals, including starting my own photography business.”
The group was accompanied by an advisor who knows what DECA competition is all about. Jaylen Body ’26, who earned his bachelor’s degrees in marketing and management and is currently going for his Tech MBA, was part of a quartet who competed and placed in international competition with DECA in 2025. In addition to his studies, he’s currently admissions visit coordinator at Michigan Tech, ensuring that prospective Huskies and their families receive impactful, personalized visits.
Body, who also served in a leadership role in DECA at the state level, noted that this is the fifth year that Michigan Tech College of Business students have qualified for the International Development Conference. He couldn’t be prouder of the 2026 Business Huskies’ performance. “I am honored to have had the chance to know these talented individuals, and I thank them for their continued participation in DECA. I look forward to my many years as an advisor and supporting the Michigan Tech DECA chapter!” he wrote in a LinkedIn post following the state competition.
Collegiate DECA is an international organization for graduate and undergraduate students that educates and prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, management, and entrepreneurship. By blending academic learning with real-world experience, organizations like DECA help Michigan Tech students develop the leadership and professional skills necessary to excel in their future careers.
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®.
Questions? Contact us at business@mtu.edu. Follow the College of Business on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.