2026: UMass Dartmouth Collegiate DECA earns top honors at international competition in Louisville, Kentucky

2026 News

UMass Dartmouth Collegiate DECA earns top honors at international competition in Louisville, Kentucky

Multiple teams place in top categories, including first- and second-place finishes

UMass Dartmouth DECA team pictured at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Louisville, Kentucky. — UMass Dartmouth's DECA team pictured at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Louisville, Kentucky.

Students from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Collegiate DECA chapter earned top honors at the annual DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC), with nine students advancing to the final round.

ICDC brings together more than 1,300 college students from around the world to compete in business disciplines including marketing, finance, hospitality, and entrepreneurship. Participants apply classroom knowledge to real-world case studies under timed, high-pressure conditions.

To qualify, teams must place at regional competitions. At ICDC, competitors analyze case studies and present solutions to judges within a limited timeframe.

"It's been incredibly rewarding to see our chapter grow into the largest in Massachusetts. Bringing home two team glass awards, a top 10 finish, and multiple top 15 placements made this an especially proud moment."
Collegiate DECA President Jessica Walia '26

Manuel Frederico Jr. (left) and Jackie Sassin (right) earned a DECA glass award, placing 1st in Business-to-Business Marketing.

Among the top performers, marketing major Jackie Sassin '26 and management information systems major Manuel Frederico Jr. '26 earned first place in the Business-to-Business Marketing team case study event. Finance major Dominik Aguilar '26 and management major Matthew Borges '27 placed second in the Sports Marketing team case study event. Finance major Noah Cabecinha '29 also achieved a top 10 finish in the Restaurant and Food Service Management category.

Dominik Aguilar (left) and Matthew Borges (right) earned a DECA glass award, placing 2nd in Sports Marketing.

"Watching our team rise to the challenge at this year's ICDC was an extraordinary experience," said Jennifer Pierce, assistant teaching professor of management and Collegiate DECA advisor. "Competing at the highest level and coming out on top reflects their talent, discipline, and commitment to excellence."

"I am incredibly proud of every student who attended," said KellyAnn Kowalski, associate professor of management and Collegiate DECA advisor. "This group demonstrated preparation, resilience, and collaboration throughout the conference."

UMass Dartmouth Collegiate DECA members and advisors await award announcements at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC). — UMass Dartmouth's Collegiate DECA members and advisors await award announcements at the International Career Development Conference (ICDC).

"It's been incredibly rewarding to see our chapter grow into the largest in Massachusetts," said Jessica Walia '26, a finance and human resources management double major and Collegiate DECA president. "Bringing home two team glass awards, a top 10 finish, and multiple top 15 placements made this an especially proud moment."

In addition to competition, ICDC offers opportunities for networking, professional development, and career exploration. Students participate in workshops, connect with peers from other universities, and gain experience that prepares them for careers in business.

Join DECA

UMass Dartmouth students interested in joining Collegiate DECA can attend weekly meetings on Mondays at 6:30pm in CCB 340. Meeting updates are posted on the organization's Instagram. Students can also direct message the account or email William McIlmail at wmcilmail@umassd.edu for more information.