Davenport University’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) students once again took top honors at the recent Postsecondary State Leadership Conference, earning the most awards overall among participating schools.

The competition, held at the university’s W.A. Lettinga Grand Rapids Campus, welcomed students from six colleges and universities across Michigan to showcase their talents. 

Across all competitive events, DU students earned 42 podium finishes (first, second and third combined) from 118 awards presented statewide.

Davenport University also led the conference in championship finishes, earning 19 first-place awards (the most of any participating institution), 13 second-place finishes and 10 third-place finishes.

Several Davenport University students delivered remarkable individual performances, including two who earned first place in their respective events.

Sarah Wolfe, operations & supply chain management major, earned first-place honors in fundamental spreadsheet applications, integrated office applications and administrative support team (team members Alexander Aguilera, Skyla Giang, Iman Hammad and Sarah Wolfe).

Skyla Giang, business administration major, captured first place in intermediate word processing, legal office procedures and administrative support team.

During the conference, Michigan BPA state advisor Maurice S. Henderson shared his appreciation for Davenport’s longstanding commitment to hosting the BPA State Leadership Conference and expressed his gratitude for the university’s continued support of postsecondary students across Michigan. “We are incredibly thankful to Davenport University for opening its doors and hosting this conference year after year,” he said. “The university’s continued partnership makes it possible to provide an outstanding experience for our postsecondary BPA members across the state.”

Davenport’s BPA advisor, Randi Kowalczk, said that these results highlight the continued strength of Davenport’s BPA program and its students’ commitment to professionalism, academic excellence and career readiness. “Their achievements demonstrate the commitment and leadership that BPA students bring to competition today and to the workplace tomorrow,” she said. “I wish Davenport’s Michigan BPA students the best of luck as they prepare to compete on the national stage in Nashville, Tennessee, May 6-12.”

Kowalczk said Davenport has served as the host site for this competition for many years, providing postsecondary students with the opportunity to showcase their professional skills, compete in leadership events and connect with peers from across the state.