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The collegiate DECA Association Leadership Award is only given to six students nationwide, and this year, one of the recipients is Western Washington University student and president of ��������’s DECA club, Schantell Hummel, a business management major from Renton.

The Association Leadership Award recognizes collegiate DECA student members for their leadership. Hummel was nominated by collegiate DECA director Kyle Barber for outstanding leadership as the event manager for the 2020 Pacific Career Development Conference at ��������.

“As event manager, I worked closely with the �������� DECA team, chapter advisors, and connected with all of the judges that volunteered their time.” said Hummel. “There was a lot of preparation such as marketing, budgeting, project management, and scheduling.”

Struggling with public speaking, Hummel pursued DECA at ��������. She was determined to work her way up into a leadership position and was given the opportunity to become president in her sophomore year. Since then, Hummel has strived to create a DECA chapter that is involved with the community and prepares students for their future careers.

“Schantell has a way of inspiring and encouraging others to join her in tackling difficult projects,” said Senior Instructor of Marketing Dan Purdy. “Her effort and dedication inspire me to be a better advisor – to find ways to support her and other students in the club to achieve their goals.”

DECA is a nonprofit that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Collegiate DECA have a variety of recognition programs for achievements in academics, leadership, and community service.

“I was surprised and appreciative to receive the award,” Hummel said. “After I took some time to process what this award meant, I was very honored and proud of myself.”

For more information about DECA, contact Dan Purdy, senior instructor of Marketing, at purdyd@wwu.edu.