After enduring a period of confusion, the marketing students at Hillsdale College are regrouping
They had previously united under the banner of Hillsdale's branch of the American Marketing Association (AMA), which Assistant Professor of Marketing Wolfgang Grassl had advised since 2002. But when Grassl recently left the Hillsdale faculty, he took the organization's charter with him. The former members of the group were unsuccessful in attempts to rejoin the AMA, so they found an alternative group: the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), an organization that supports education in marketing and management. The group will be advised by Associate Professor of Business Charles Davies and also includes Delta Epsilon Chi.
“We looked into other options, and DECA seemed to be the best,” said senior Bonnie Scott, an AMA officer.
The change will likely be a favorable one. DECA, like AMA, offers a wealth of career-related opportunities and employer recognition. Moreover, DECA will allow students an increased level of involvement. For instance, DECA members will have the chance to work with area students in establishing and maintaining DECA groups in high schools. They may also enjoy the benefit of other new pursuits such as competitions and conferences, provided the group can raise the needed funding.
The group assembled at the informational meeting last Tuesday is optimistic about the transition. Two members, senior Jen Peck and sophomore Elizabeth Wormet, were involved with DECA in high school. Both praised the group and cited its unique opportunities. Peck fondly described a conference on fashion marketing that included a trip to the headquarters of Seventeen magazine. The conferences, Peck said, teach the kind of “business things you need to know.” Wormet described her experiences in competition, which brought her to the international level and opened doors of opportunity and exposure to colleges with DECA. She remarked that competitions and their accompanying job fairs are excellent ways for students to connect with employers.
With the transition, membership dues will decrease from $35 under AMA to only $20 with DECA. Furthermore, no new members will be able to join this semester. Members will, though, soon receive pins and cards to show their association with DECA.
Overall, the former members of AMA are excited about the prospect of change.
“We believe this is the better route to go,” said senior Heidi Scott, DECA president. “It'll get you better options.”