NDSCS Business Management Student Thrives as Young Entrepreneur with Own Startup

student with button-up shirt standing next to a table
04-16-2024

Jack Johnson, an ambitious 2nd-year Business Management student at NDSCS is already a successful entrepreneur and business owner.

Jack, a Breckenridge, MN high school graduate has always been an active and motivated individual. During his high school years, Jack gained a wealth of experience working with Summerville Electric and Krump Construction, and had community involvement by coaching youth basketball and football teams.

Johnson's entrepreneurial journey took a significant leap forward when he secured an LLC for his venture, Johnson Auto Detailing, in May 2022, shortly before his high school graduation. Over the past two years, Johnson Auto Detailing has been his sole source of income, demonstrating the results of his dedication and hard work.

As a small business owner, Jack's responsibilities include hands-on service of vehicles, marketing, and financial oversight. His efforts have not only accumulated a social media presence of over 900 followers but have also earned his business multiple nominations for the Spark Plug Award and the Chamber of Service Award by the Wahpeton Chamber of Commerce.

Jack's vision is grand—he's not just running a business; he's laying the groundwork for what he aspires to be a business empire. After graduating from high school, and although he was already a business owner, Jack started at NDSCS to increase his knowledge of business management to continue being successful. His decision to enroll at NDSCS in the fall of 2022 was fueled by the affordability of the institution, and his trust with the College. “I know a lot of people who have gone through NDSCS including some of my older peers. They've expressed to me how they have enjoyed their experience as a whole as well as learned a lot about their degree.”

Jack values in his education at NDSCS and has taken several principles from class with him into his work at Johnson Auto Detailing. He specifically credits knowledge he gained during his Sales class, which through various roleplaying exercises, pushed him to get comfortable talking to customers, and prepared him for dealing with people in difficult situations. This class, among others, have helped Jack apply his knowledge and skills to his business. Jack appreciates that faculty at NDSCS finds fun and engaging ways to teach, which keeps the classroom exciting. Jack has been an active student in the NDSCS Business Management program, including being a National qualifier for DECA.

As Jack continues to balance his studies and his growing business, he is proof that with the right education and support, the possibilities are limitless.

After graduating from NDSCS in May with his Business Management degree, Jack plans to continue to own and operate Johnson Auto Detailing. He will use his educational background to grow in his business experience. And with his drive for success and entrepreneurial spirit, it’s clear that Jack has fantastic opportunities and remarkable success ahead of him.

Learn more about Jack at Johnsonautodetailing.net.

NDSCS Business Management students qualified for the international DECA competition

2023 DECA team
02-17-2023

The North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) is proud to announce that a team of students from its business management program recently competed at the 2023 North Dakota Collegiate DECA State Conference held in Fargo. This annual competition brings together some of North Dakota's best and brightest business students from eight different colleges to compete in various business case study events.

The NDSCS team, consisting of thirty-five members, performed exceptionally well with eighteen of them qualifying for the international competition in April in Orlando, Fla.

We are proud to announce the following individuals and their events:

  • Lauren Schiefert, (Finalist) in Financial Accounting
  • Lydia Vipond, (2nd Place) in Entrepreneurship Operations
  • Keagan Neppl, (3rd Place) in Entrepreneurship Operations
  • Alex Kelstrom, (Finalist) in Restaurant and Food Service
  • Cassie Hanson, (3rd Place) in Retail Management
  • Dustin Bentow, (2nd Place) in Sales Manager Meeting
  • Parker Holtberg, (Finalist) in Sales Manager Meeting
  • Jack Johnson, (2nd Place) in Travel and Tourism
  • Reid Goodman, (Finalist) in Travel and Tourism
  • Reid Goodman/Parker Holtberg, (Finalists) in Business-to-Business Team
  • Jewelia Siegler/Kason Hartel, (3rd Place) in Business Ethics Team
  • Anna Betz/Cassie Hanson, (2nd Place) competed in International Marketing Team
  • Arianna Berryhill/Matt Fischer, (3rd Place) competed in International Marketing Team
  • Kierra Christoferson/Madison Syvertsen, (3rd Place) competed in Marketing Communications Team
  • Barbara Prante/Keagan Neppl, (Finalists) competed in Marketing Communications Team
  • Jack Johnson/Mason Thom, (3rd Place) competed in Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team

“We are extremely proud of our students as this was, for most, their first experience in a Collegiate DECA competitive event,” said Gregory Anderson, the faculty advisor for NDSCS Collegiate DECA. “These students’ performance is a testament to their dedication and hard work, and is a true reflection of the quality of education that NDSCS provides.”

Photo Caption: (ICDC Qualifiers L - R) Barbara Prante, Jack Johnson, Mason Thom, Madison Syvertsen, Keagan Neppl, Kierra Christoferson, Reid Goodman, Parker Holtberg, Matt Fischer, Alex Kelstrom, Cassie Hanson, Arianna Berryhill, Anna Betz, Jewelia Siegler, Dustin Bentow, Lydia Vipond, Lauren Schiefert

 

Article written by NDSCS and submitted to external news outlets. 

Four NDSCS students nominated for North Dakota Academic All-State Team

NDSCS logo
01-25-2023

Four students from the North Dakota State College of Science have been nominated for the 2023 North Dakota Academic All-State Team, which recognizes the academic achievements of community college students.

The students, listed with their program of study and their hometown, are:

  • Transfer Pathway Scholars:
    • Lauren Jones, Nursing, West Fargo, N.D.
    • Morgan Vosberg, Liberal Arts – Business Administration, Sartell, Minn.
  • Workforce Pathway Scholars:
    • Logan Mammenga, Business Management, Breckenridge, Minn.
    • Marlee Schweitzer, Dental Hygiene, Aberdeen, S.D.

The All-North Dakota Academic Team is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa and the Coca-Cola Foundation and is comprised of scholars from each of the community colleges in the state. Workforce Pathway Scholars plan to begin their careers immediately upon graduation, and Transfer Pathway Scholars plan to continue their education at a four-year institution after completing their studies at a community college.

“It is with pride that I am able to nominate these students to the 2023 North Dakota Academic All-State Team. Through their efforts in the classroom, and in leadership roles on campus and in their communities, they have demonstrated the qualities necessary to be successful in the future,” said Jeff Hart, NDSCS Phi Theta Kappa Advisor.

The students will be recognized at an awards luncheon held at Bismarck State College in Bismarck, N.D. Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Article written by NDSCS and submitted to external news outlets. 

Seven NDSCS students among top ten competitors in Collegiate DECA 2022-2023 Stock Market Game

DECA Stock Market Game logo
12-05-2022

An acclaimed program from the SIFMA Foundation, the Collegiate DECA Stock Market Game™ is an online simulation that challenges teams with building and managing a $100,000 virtual investment portfolio of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. The teams of participants managed all aspects of the portfolio including asset selection, buying and selling.

DECA congratulates the following top-ranking teams who participated in the first session of the Collegiate DECA Stock Market Game. Rankings are based on percentage growth against the S&P 500. These participants also met the diversity requirement of holding at least one bond, one stock and one mutual fund by the last trade date.

Congratulations to the following Collegiate DECA members from NDSCS — listed here by rank in the top 10:

1. Alexander Kelstrom - North Dakota State College of Science - Wahpeton, ND

2. Levi Witt - North Dakota State College of Science - Wahpeton, ND

3. April Finnie - North Dakota State College of Science - Wahpeton, ND

6. Nikolas Hunchak - North Dakota State College of Science - Wahpeton, ND

7. Luke Trebil - North Dakota State College of Science - Wahpeton, ND

9. Barbara Prante - North Dakota State College of Science - Wahpeton, ND

10. Shelby Nelson - North Dakota State College of Science - Wahpeton, ND

There is still another opportunity to participate in the Collegiate DECA Stock Market Game! The second session of the Collegiate DECA Stock Market Game will begin on February 6, 2023.

The winners will be recognized on stage during Collegiate DECA's 2023 International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Original article written and published by decadirect.org.

 

A Look Back on Collegiate DECA Engage in Atlanta

Students preparing for DECA presetation
12-05-2022

Nearly 200 Collegiate DECA members, including 5 NDSCS students and NDSCS Business Management Professor, Greg Anderson, attended the 2022 ENGAGE Conference in Atlanta, GA on November 3-5, 2022. The NDSCS student attendees were:

  • Jayden Kaehler
  • Reid Goodman
  • Cassie Hanson
  • Bridger Ell
  • Hayden Schuler

The weekend included three days of non-stop networking, powerful speakers, career exploration, competition and captivating EduTours.

One highlight of the conference included behind-the-scenes EduTours to eleven businesses in the Atlanta area. These businesses included AmericasMart, Chick-fil-A, Dagger, Epicurean, Georgia-Pacific, Illuminarium, Inspire, Marriott, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Salesforce and Westin.

Another major component of the conference was the Case Study Challenge. This year's Case Study was a Marketing Management event that focused on buying and merchandising for a sporting goods store. Photo shown is of students Hayden, Reid, and Bridger preparing for their case study presentation. 

Original article written and published by decadirect.org

NDSCS students excel in local DECA Competition

Business student
02-23-2016

Thirty-two North Dakota State College of Science Collegiate DECA members recently competed at the North Dakota Career Development Conference in Fargo, N.D. NDSCS Chapter members participated in 16 separate events, ending up with a finalist in 11 events.

One-hundred-twenty students representing both two and four-year colleges and universities from across the state competed against one another in a variety of simulations, case studies and prepared events.     

The 11 NDSCS finalists include:

  • Nate Wier – Accounting (Finalist); Business Ethics (2nd Place)
  • Marcus Karsky – Accounting (Finalist)
  • Ali Schoneman – Banking and Financial Services (Finalist)
  • Thia Uhren – Fashion Merchandising (Finalist)
  • Rowdy Borman – Restaurant Management (3rd Place); Human Resource Management (3rd Place)
  • Noah Dobmeier – Retail Management (3rd Place); Business Ethics (2nd Place)
  • Amy Stevens – Travel and Tourism (Finalist)
  • Katlyn Hilbrand – Marketing Management (1st Place)
  • Ian Uhrich – Sales Manager Meeting (3rd Place)

In addition, Ian Uhrich was elected to serve as the 2016-2017 State Association President while Dana Anderson was elected to serve as next year’s State Vice President.

NDSCS will now be sending a delegation to the International Career Development Conference to be held in Washington D.C. this April.

Collegiate DECA at NDSCS prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Nationwide, Collegiate DECA includes over 15,000 members in 275 colleges and universities.