Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, on college’s Rosemount campus
The 2017 Business Professionals of America (BPA) Minnesota Association State Leadership Conference (SLC) will be held Feb. 23–25, 2017. The SLC starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, with an opening ceremony at the Grand Stay Hotel in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The opening ceremony welcomes students from across the state.
Dakota County Technical College is hosting the competition portion of the conference on the college’s main campus in Rosemount, Minnesota. The competitions run from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25.
Marie Saunders
The SLC Awards Banquet and Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Grand Stay Hotel. Students will learn how they performed in their competitions; they will also find out if they qualified to compete at Spread Your Wings, the BPA National Leadership Conference (NLC) May 10–14, 2017, in Orlando, Florida.
“As you can imagine, the students are both excited and anxious for the awards,” said Marie Saunders, accounting faculty and BPA Chapter co-advisor at DCTC. “The students spend a lot of time preparing for the various competitions so the awards are the result of their hard work. We are excited to host the conference again this year at DCTC. Many individuals on campus donate their time and energy to help with the hosting and judging. This help is invaluable in running the conference and is much appreciated.”
Lyle Stelter
Lyle Stelter, accounting faculty and BPA Chapter co-advisor at DCTC, noted that BPA provides an avenue for students to excel and demonstrate the skills they’ve acquired from their college coursework. Lyle added that Marta Roth, an accounting student at DCTC, serves as vice president of the BPA Minnesota Association College Division and is a veteran of the 2016 BPA NLC in Boston, Massachusetts.
“Marta has been outstanding in her role as a BPA Minnesota state officer,” Lyle said. “She will lead the Minnesota Association and our DCTC Chapter to success at the State Leadership Conference in February. Each year, many of our fine DCTC students qualify for the competitions at the National Leadership Conference.”
About Business Professionals of America…
With more than 45,000 members located throughout 25 states and Puerto Rico, Business Professionals of America serves secondary, post-secondary and middle levels and has the ability to enhance student participation in professional, civic, service and social endeavors. Through BPA, members learn how to go from student to professional in knowledge, skill and ability. — Courtesy of the BPA website
Student spotlight: Marta Roth
Marta Roth
Marta Roth, 20, of Rosemount, Minnesota, is double-majoring at DCTC. She has already earned her A.S. in Business Administration and is working on her A.A.S. in Accounting. Marta was home-schooled and graduated from the “Roth Home School” Class of 2014. She took online courses from Northwestern University to complete a number of her generals. Her planned DCTC graduation date is December 2017.
The recipient of two scholarships, a $100 Student Life Scholarship and a $1,000 DCTC Foundation Board Scholarship, Marta has Microsoft certifications in Word, Excel and PowerPoint (she completed the certificates at the 2016 BPA NLC in Boston). She joined Business Professionals of America, a career and technical student organization headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, to enhance and accelerate her career goals.
“BPA sounded like an organization that would challenge me,” Marta said. “I knew joining would help me grow professionally and improve my resume. I also joined to make friends because all my classes are online.”
Marta performed exceptionally well at the 2016 BPA National Leadership Conference (NLC) in Boston, Massachusetts, last May. Competing at the national level, she placed 4th in College Accounting, 10th in Banking and Finance, 7th in Business Meeting Management–Open, and 9th in Project Management Concepts–Open.
Marta serves as the vice president of the BPA Minnesota Association College Division. One of her duties as vice president is handling the Torch Awards.
“Torch Awards are given to BPA members who meet a variety of service requirements,” she said. “I also help set and achieve the officer team’s goals for the year, plan state conference activities, and judge and network at the competitions for the Secondary Division.”
Marta works while attending college, logging 20 hours a week at Firefly Credit Union in Burnsville. “I’m learning a lot about finance on the job,” she said. “I want other people to learn about finance, too. I want to help families make the best decisions they can about money.”
After DCTC, Marta is set on transferring to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree related to her studies at DCTC. She hasn’t settled on a specific institution, but the University of Minnesota has piqued her interest.
“I’m still figuring out my career plans,” she said, “but I am currently exploring accounting and finance. I would love to find a job where I could work part-time as a stay-at-home mom.”
Marta’s family includes her dad, Jeff, mom, Lori, twin brother, Shelby, and golden retriever, Zane. When she’s not studying or working, she enjoys reading all kinds of books, watching movies, teaching/mentoring junior high girls, and “exploring the beautiful world we live in.”
2017 BPA Minnesota SLC important links
- Grand Stay Hotel reservation form
- SLC registration packet
- DCTC testing schedule
Marta Roth Q & A
Why did you choose DCTC?
I originally chose DCTC because it is affordable and conveniently located, but what I love about DCTC is the emphasis on education for employment. I have gained practical, real-world knowledge in my classes and confidence and experience through the extracurricular activities and workshops offered.
Why did you choose your career field?
When I started college, I did not have a very clear vision of where I wanted my career to go, so business seemed like a good foundation that would be useful even if I decided to change my major down the road. My interest in accounting was sparked when I took the accounting classes required for my business degree.
What has been your toughest challenge in life?
Learning when to say “yes” and when to say “no.” It can be hard to say no to opportunities and experiences that seem beneficial to me, but learning my limits and leaving time to rest has helped me to produce better work and enjoy that work more.
Three words that describe you as a college student:
DEDICATED. ENRICHED. GRATEFUL.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
Earning my A.S. in Business Administration.
What person has influenced you the most in life?
My dad has had the biggest influence on my life. My work ethic and love of learning come primarily from him.
What is the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to you?
Being given eternal life through Jesus Christ. After that, living with my friends in Croatia for a month during my senior year of high school and spending a day in Venice.
What is the most important function of BPA?
To develop professionalism and leadership in students as they participate in business-related competitions, learn from speakers and successful business people, and develop networks and resumes that will prepare them for their careers.
What would you tell a student who is considering joining BPA?
BPA will build your resume, your professional network, and your confidence in yourself, but it will also provide you with like-minded friends who truly care about you, who want to see you succeed, and who celebrate your achievements with you. The people and experiences of BPA have changed my life, and I cannot recommend this organization enough.
To learn more about BPA at DCTC, contact:
Lyle Stelter
Accounting Instructor
BPA Faculty Co-Advisor
651-423-8423
Marie Saunders
Accounting Instructor
BPA Faculty Co-Advisor
651-423-8390
