Full Speed Ahead: Indiana Collegiate DECA’s Program of Leadership

Your Indiana Collegiate DECA State Officer Team is officially off to the races as we kick off our inaugural membership year! This is a historic moment for our association, and with it comes an incredible opportunity to shape the future of Collegiate DECA in Indiana. While the success of our association depends on the hard work and dedication of each individual chapter, your State Officers have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to prepare a year filled with impactful programming, innovative initiatives, and exciting opportunities for members across the state.

From day one, our goal has been clear: to build a strong foundation for Indiana Collegiate DECA that empowers members to grow as leaders, explore new career paths, and create meaningful connections. This year, we are thrilled to roll out our Program of Leadership, a comprehensive plan rooted in three guiding pillars: Chapter Activation, Membership Outreach, and Future Framing.

Chapter Activation: One of our top priorities is supporting a diverse range of Collegiate DECA chapters across Indiana. Through intentional campus outreach, including private, public, and community colleges, we aim to ensure that every post-secondary student in the state has equitable access to the opportunities DECA provides.

For our chapter founders, we’re committed to helping them thrive. New chapters will receive targeted resources, personalized training, and ongoing education to set them up for success from day one. But our efforts don’t stop there - we’re also supporting established chapters, including those that existed before our association was officially chartered, to ensure they remain competitive and continue to grow alongside us. This collaborative approach ensures that all chapters, whether new or longstanding, have the tools and support they need to succeed.

Membership Outreach: At the heart of a thriving association is a connected community. This year, we’re focused on creating opportunities for members to engage, learn from one another, and celebrate their achievements. By leveraging curated content, storytelling, and dynamic social media strategies, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible work being done by chapters across Indiana.

Our goal is to foster meaningful dialogue among members while highlighting best practices, local successes, and innovative ideas. These outreach efforts not only strengthen our statewide network but also lay the groundwork for a sustainable culture of communication, programming, and collaboration that will benefit members, advisors, and leadership teams for years to come.

Future Framing: Although this is our first year, we are setting our sights on the future. To ensure long-term success, we’re creating tools and resources that will empower future leaders to build on the foundation we’re establishing today. This includes developing standard operating procedures, an officer handbook, a Q&A resource, and additional support materials for future state officer teams.

We’re also working closely with chapters to ensure their sustainability through strategic membership recruitment, increased campus engagement, and statewide promotional initiatives designed to elevate our association’s visibility and impact. Together, these efforts ensure that Indiana Collegiate DECA isn’t just preparing for this year - we’re building a lasting legacy for generations of future leaders.

Written by President - Eric Bedrosian