Northwood University and DECA Launch Comprehensive Partnership to Further Support Business Education
Midland, MI (PRWEB) May 12, 2014 -- Cementing an already long-standing, 30-year relationship with DECA, Midland, Michigan-based Northwood University has entered into a formal partnership arrangement with the non-profit organization, which aims to nurture and prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. The university kicked off its sponsorship at DECA’s 2014 International Career Development Conference, held May 3-6, in Atlanta. This year’s conference drew more than 16,000 high school students, advisors, businesspersons and alumni from the United States and abroad.
Northwood University’s partnership with DECA includes participation on the National Advisory Board (NAB) with such notable companies and institutions as Johnson and Wales University, Marriott, Hilton Worldwide and National Auto Parts Association (NAPA), to name just a few other NAB members.
Through the new arrangement, the University now also serves as the official sponsor of DECA’s Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making Event. The conference’s Team Decision Making Events provide an opportunity for participants to analyze one or a combination of elements essential to the effective operation of a business in a specific career area. Students evaluate the information provided to them and present a case study. Each team member must also take a 100-question, multiple-choice exam focused on business and marketing issues in their event’s specialty area and undergo interviews with event judges as part of the competition. The first place team for 2014 is Chandler Olsen and Andrew Larsen, from Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Washington.
“Our ever-growing relationship with DECA gives us the opportunity to continuously reach out to students who have a keen interest in the business world and want to pursue a career along one of the many different avenues a business degree can take them,” said Keith A. Pretty, Northwood University’s president and CEO. “It’s an ideal partnership. We’re like-minded organizations and share the same values and educational mission for budding business people and entrepreneurs.”
As a DECA partner, Northwood University served as an exhibitor at this year’s conference, providing attendees, all prospective students, with information on its specialty business degree programs, its residential campuses in Midland and West Palm Beach, Fla., and its admissions process and requirements. As a further mark of visibility, Northwood had its name emblazoned on the attendees’ lanyards in another sponsorship effort. The University also exhibits at DECA’s annual Power Trip Conference and has advertising opportunities in DECA publications and social media through this new sponsorship.
Northwood University admissions staff is visiting DECA high school chapters through Northwood University’s new program, “Launching a New Business.” This unique program will help students better understand the various elements that make-up a sustainable business plan.
“This provides us the opportunity to spend quality time with prospective students, all of whom are involved in their high school’s DECA chapter, and really help them understand why specialty business degrees make a difference,” explained Pretty. “We are getting rave reviews for this program from DECA chapter advisors, too.”
In addition to its new partnership activities with DECA, Northwood University has enjoyed a strong relationship with the organization since 1984, helping to fund DECA Student Scholarships and Freshman Academic Scholarships, hosting district conferences and mock DECA competitions at its campuses and offering faculty and other personnel as judges for various DECA contests. The University also sponsors its own collegiate DECA chapters on its campuses.
For more information about Northwood University’s undergraduate, graduate and adult degree programs, visit http://www.northwood.edu.
ABOUT NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY
Northwood University is committed to the most personal attention to prepare students for success in their careers and in their communities; it promotes critical thinking skills, personal effectiveness, and the importance of ethics, individual freedom and responsibility.
Private, nonprofit, and accredited, Northwood University specializes in managerial and entrepreneurial education at two full-service, residential campuses located in southern Florida and mid-Michigan. Adult Degree Programs are available in eight states with many course delivery options including an online option. The DeVos Graduate School offers day, evening and weekend programming in Michigan, Texas and Florida. The Alden B. Dow Center for Creativity and Enterprise provides system-wide expertise in family enterprise, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and new business development. International education is offered through study abroad and in Program Centers in Switzerland, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Bethany Hilt, Falls Communications, http://www.northwood.edu, +1 (216) 472-4038, [email protected]
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