Kirkwood DECA

Q: What does DECA stand for?

A: “DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges across the globe. We stand for competence, innovation, integrity and teamwork.” (The acronym used to be Distributive Education Clubs of America. The organization moved away from this once our goals shifted from training students to go from High School - Work to High School - College/Career Training)

Q: What is DECA’s tagline or identifier?

A: The DECA logo now stands on its own. DECA should be described using our current mission statement. (DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.)

Q: What does DECA do for students?

A: DECA enhances the co-curricular education of members through a comprehensive learning program that integrates into classroom instruction, applies learning, connects to business and promotes competition.

Q: What is the goal of DECA's activities?

A: DECA’s activities assist in the development of academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders.

DECA’s Comprehensive Learning Program

Integrates into Classroom Instruction

An integral component of classroom instruction, DECA activities provide authentic, experiential learning methods to prepare members for college and careers.

Applies Learning

DECA members put their knowledge into action through rigorous project-based activities that require creative solutions with practical outcomes.

Connects to Business

Partnerships with businesses at local and broader levels provide DECA members realistic insight into industry and promote meaningful, relevant learning.

Promotes Competition

As in the global economy, a spark of competition drives DECA members to excel and improve their performance.

DECA prepares the next generation to be

Academically Prepared

DECA members are ambitious, high-achieving leaders equipped to conquer the challenges of their aspirations.

Community Oriented

Recognizing the benefit of service and responsibility to the community, DECA members continually impact and improve their local and broader communities.

Professionally Responsible

DECA members are poised professionals with ethics, integrity and high standards.

Experienced Leaders

DECA members are empowered through experience to provide effective leadership through goal setting, consensus building and project implementation.

DECA Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit student organization with more than 200,000 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.

DECA Inc.

1908 Association Drive

Reston, Virginia 20191