February 23, 2026
Mayville State University Collegiate DECA members participated in the North Dakota Collegiate DECA Career Development Conference held in Fargo, N.D., Feb. 9 and 10. The annual state conference provided an opportunity for students to compete against 109 of their peers in business-related events. Students representing eleven North Dakota colleges and universities participated. Of the 16 Mayville State students who competed, 14 qualified to attend the International Career Development Conference which will be held in Louisville, Ky. In April Three of the 14 were first-time qualifiers.
Mayville State’s Collegiate DECA chapter is advised by Rob Johnston, Professor of Business and Division of Business Chair, and Dustin Olson, Professor of Business.
Rob Johnston said, “Dustin and I are incredibly proud of our MSU DECA members. They are a remarkably talented group of students who consistently lead by example and embody the very best our university has to offer. This year’s state competition performance was truly outstanding. Three first-time members were extremely successful. Several returning competitors, who placed lower last year, rose to the top this time. It’s very clear evidence of the real growth and development that makes participating in Collegiate DECA such a rewarding experience for our students.”
Mayville State qualifiers and their competition areas are as follows:
Financial Accounting: 1st Place - Daniel Suda, Halstad, Minn.;
Human Resource Management: National Qualifier, Ethan Schnerch, Winnipeg, Manitoba;
Marketing Management: 3rd Place - Andrea Majchrzak, Albany, Minn.;
Travel and Tourism: National Qualifier - Kadyn Helde, Hazen, Minn;
Sales Management & Leadership: 2nd Place - Jake Otto, Grace City, N.D.;
Professional Sales: 3rd Place- Bode Roberts, New York Mills, Minn.;
Restaurant and Food Service Management: 1st Place - Davis Bengson, Cooperstown, N.D.; 2nd Place - Sam Schlepuetz, Ypsilanti, N.D.; National Qualifier - Malachi Beaulieu, Grand Forks, N.D.; National Qualifier - Autumn McGough, Horace, N.D.;
Hospitality and Tourism Exam: 2nd Place - Davis Bengson, Cooperstown, N.D.;
Finance Exam: 1st Place - Daniel Suda, Halstad, Minn.;
Business Ethics: 3rd Place - Joseph Dukart, Killdeer, N.D., and Jameson Haycraft, Barnesville, Minn.;
International Marketing: 1st Place - Sam Schlepuetz, Ypsilanti, N.D., and Ethan Schnerch, Winnipeg, Manitoba;
Sports Marketing: 3rd Place - Andrea Majchrzak, Albany, Minn., and Autumn McGough, Horace, N.D.;
Entrepreneurship - Starting Your Business: 1st Place - Andrea Majchrzak, Albany, Minn., Autumn McGough, Horace, N.D., and Isabel Helde, Minot, N.D.;
Business to Business Marketing: 1st Place - Brock Jungels, Fargo, N.D., and Daniel Suda, Halstad, Minn.
Mayville State also brought home additional awards. The North Dakota Collegiate DECA Outstanding Service Award went to Andrea Majchrzak and Isabel Helde. This chapter leadership award is designed to recognize Collegiate DECA student members for leadership in their community, on their campus, and with their chapter.
Co-advisor Dustin Olson was recognized for his 16 years of service with MSU Collegiate DECA.
The North Dakota Collegiate DECA Community Service Award was awarded to the Mayville State University chapter for the time spent with the residents of the Luther Memorial Home painting pumpkins.
The successful conference was capped off with the announcement of Kadyn Helde and Malachi Beaulieu each being re-elected to serve as vice presidents for North Dakota Collegiate DECA during the 2026-27 school year.
