Three of Paradise Valley Community College’s business students recently traveled to San Francisco to represent at the DECA’s 2025 International Career Development Conference (ICDC), Collegiate DECA’s premier annual event. Montserrat Rosario, Foday Kromah, and Matthew Mouritsen competed amongst more than 1,300 top-performing students from colleges and universities across the nation — and around the world — in rigorous business and marketing competitions.
The trio earned their invitations to ICDC after excelling at the Arizona Career Development Conference (ACDC) held at Arizona State University in February. At ACDC, Kromah placed third in the Entrepreneurial Operations - Individual Event, while Rosario and Mouritsen secured third place in the Business Ethics - Team Event. At ICDC, Rosario and Mouritsen continued their momentum by competing together in the Business Ethics team competition, while Kromah challenged himself individually in the Financial Statement Analysis competition.
“The discipline and commitment Montserrat, Foday, and Matthew demonstrated throughout their preparation and competition was remarkable. They balanced schoolwork, club meetings, and intensive DECA training, and their dedication really paid off. They set an incredible example of what it means to be a Puma,” said Business and IT Club Advisor Robert McCanless.
Co-advisor Dr. Kishore Dash added, “Our students made us incredibly proud. Competing at this level is no easy feat, and Montserrat, Foday, and Matthew truly showcased the caliber of talent we have at PVCC.”
Reflecting on the experience, Rosario shared, “Even though it was my second year competing in DECA, I learned that you should approach every competition with the same effort and enthusiasm as your first. Prior experience is valuable, but staying prepared and open to the unexpected is what truly makes the difference.
“Dr. Dash and Mr. McCanless have supported us from day one, reminding us that the real victory lies in the experience itself — not just in bringing home a medal,” he continued. “DECA has helped me build confidence, sharpen my problem-solving skills, and connect with so many people. If you have the chance to compete, don’t hesitate to put yourself out there!”
DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Through its competitive events, students apply problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills in real-world business scenarios. Experiences like these provide students with an invaluable bridge between classroom learning and professional success.
PVCC’s competitors joined other qualifiers from across the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), including Chandler-Gilbert, Scottsdale, and South Mountain Community Colleges, along with peers from Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and Grand Canyon University. Together, these students took on hundreds of other Collegiate DECA members from around the globe.
For more information about DECA and PVCC’s other clubs visit the website or email DL-PVC-StuLife@paradisevalley.edu.