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HISTORY OF FLORIDA COLLEGIATE DECA |
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DECA WAS FOUNDED IN 1946 as a co-curricular program for students enrolled in high school Distributive Education (today, marketing education) programs. With over a 60-year history, DECA has touched the lives of more than ten million students, educators, school administrators and business professionals. Their strong connection with our organization has resonated into a brand that people identify as a remarkable experience in the preparation of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. DECA’s programs and activities have constantly evolved by using the latest technology and applying cutting edge educational research. DECA’s core focus has remained consistent and is captured in the mission of the professional student organization. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. The guiding principles explain how the co-curricular organization fulfills its mission by addressing student-focused activities and the outcomes expected. DECA enhances the preparation for college and careers by providing co-curricular programs that integrate into classroom instruction, applying learning in the context of business, connect to business by providing network opportunities, and the community through community service activities, and promoting competition. The student members leverage their DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders. DECA is organized into two unique student divisions each with programs designed to address the learning styles, interest and focus of its members. The High School Division includes 185,000 members in 5,000 schools. The Collegiate Division (formerly known as Delta Epsilon Chi) includes over 15,000 members in 200 colleges and universities. DECA Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit student organization with members in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Canada, China, Germany, Guam, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The United States Congress, The United States Department of Education and state, district and international departments of education authorize DECA’s programs. A post-secondary division of DECA was officially approved in 1967. However, in 1965, with its visionary leadership, Florida established a post-secondary division for the students enrolled in the junior college and mid-management programs. The name was the Florida Association of Managerial Education. The first National Leadership Conference for the division was held in 1967 and in 1969, the division was renamed the Junior Collegiate Division. On September 27, 1982, the Junior Collegiate Division of DECA became Delta Epsilon Chi. In June 2008, Florida College DECA, a division of Delta Epsilon Chi, in association with DECA, Inc. was adopted as the name of the organization. Again, with visionary leadership, the Florida Association sponsored a bylaw amendment to change the name of the international organization to better brand the organization. At the 49th Annual Business Meeting of Delta Epsilon Chi, the membership overwhelmingly approved the name change to Collegiate DECA. Thereafter, the Florida Association officially became the Florida Association of Collegiate DECA. Our new logo appears above and will appear on our website and in printed materials. Web addresses are in the process of being changed; however, our website can still be viewed at www.fldex.org. Currently under construction for the upcoming school year, the website will direct users to the new site once it is ready. Florida Collegiate DECA will hold its 48th Annual State Career Development Conference February 28-March 3, 2013 at the The Florida Hotel in Orlando. The official theme for the conference is “Florida Collegiate DECA…THRIVE!” which will serve as the preliminary event affording an opportunity for post-secondary students to compete with their peers in international competitions having been named a winner or finalist at the state conference. Collegiate DECA will celebrate its 52nd anniversary during the 2012-2013 academic year. This year’s theme is “THRIVE” with the International Career Development Conference being held April 16-20, 2013 in Anaheim, California. Participants will arrive from all over the world for this event. During a two-week period, DECA and Collegiate DECA will have over 16,000 participants vying for competitive event awards, scholarships, networking opportunities with business professionals, and joining in the sights and sounds of the Orlando area. Florida has been one of the leading states in supporting and participating in Collegiate DECA. Several International Presidents have hailed from Florida and others have served as Vice Presidents. The many chapter advisors throughout the state continually demonstrate their devotion to the student organization by their many hours of involvement in chapter activities and preparing students for competitions. The Executive Director of Florida Collegiate DECA has served as Chairperson of the Post-Secondary Advisory Council, National Trainer for Collegiate DECA’s new state advisors, and is a member of DECA, Inc., the National Retail Federation, the American Marketing Association, Association of Career and Technical Educators, Florida Association of Career Technical Educators, and MarkEd. In 1993, Florida Collegiate DECA was transferred, with DECA, from the State Department of Education to become an independent corporation. Jack J. Rose, State Advisor, 1984-1993, was contracted as the corporation’s first and only Executive Director and State Advisor. In 1999, Florida Collegiate DECA was separated, for DOE funding purposes, from DECA. Florida Collegiate DECA looks forward to serving over 2800 students at 22 chapters throughout the state during the 2010-2011 academic year and will reach out to the more than 13,000 high school DECA members throughout the State. During the past decade, Florida Collegiate DECA has been very visible at the International Career Development Conferences where the great majority of students made it to the final round of competition and many placed in the top ten. During these past years, Florida students have come home with many first, second, and third place awards, which reflect the education received in the classroom by a superb group of dedicated educators and advisors. In addition, two International Presidents have hailed from Florida. Andrew Monarch served as International President for the 2000-2001 academic year, and Wilson Enriquez served as International President during the 2002-2003 academic year. Both international presidents served as presidents of Florida Collegiate DECA prior to their international election. This organization is extremely proud of our post-secondary students…the leaders of tomorrow. Kaila S. Nichols, past-President of Florida Collegiate DECA, served the international organization as Vice President during the 2009-2010 year. Lemar C. Scott, a senior at Johnson & Wales University, North Miami Campus, was re-elected President of Florida Collegiate DECA at the 2012 State Career Development Conference, and will lead the State Action Team through another successful year. Lemar’s goal is to increase membership and corporate sponsorships for the organization, and expand the visibility of the organization throughout Florida. The other members of the State Action Team are: Vice President, Paul Mojica, Broward College South, and Secretary/Treasurer, Drew Gaddis, Florida Atlantic University. This State Action Team are members of the Executive Council of the Florida Association of Collegiate DECA, along with Professor Erick Perez, Chairperson, Board of Directors, Florida Collegiate DECA, and Dr. Carolyn Massiah, Board Member, Florida Collegiate DECA. This year is a very special year for our Executive Director, Professor Jack J. Rose, who celebrates his 50th year of involvement with DECA and Collegiate DECA. Professor Rose has been recognized on numerous occasions for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and commitment to members and advisors of this premiere professional student organization. Florida Collegiate DECA is most appreciative of our corporate sponsors who are featured on our website. Without their support, we will not be able to provide our many activities for post-secondary students. For further information on Florida Collegiate DECA, please contact our Executive Director, Jack J. Rose, at jrose@flcollegiatedeca.org. |
| Eric Stenger Director of Communications and New Chapter Recruitment Florida Collegiate DECA |
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