Texas DECA Staff Update

For immediate release | June 22, 2020

Texas DECA is thrilled to announce the promotion of Nicole Willis to the role of Communications Manager. Nicole began her DECA journey as a student member at Hughes Springs High School in Hughes Springs, Texas. Nicole’s passion for DECA runs deep and has flourished throughout the years. After competing and serving in her high school DECA chapter, Nicole continued her DECA journey in Collegiate DECA at the University of North Texas, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a focus on Strategic Communication.

Throughout college, Nicole continued to volunteer with District 6 DECA and participated in DFW area Mock DECA events. Nicole even presented at the Ultimate DECA Power Trip in 2015, encouraging high school students to continue their DECA careers in Collegiate DECA.

Over the last four years, Nicole has worked several Texas DECA events serving in conference planning and execution roles.  Nicole has been the graphic designer for Texas DECA’s materials and programs since 2018.  Nicole joined the Texas DECA staff shortly after the 2020 Texas DECA State Career Development Conference on a part-time basis as a Programs Assistant, where she led the re-branding efforts for Texas DECA and www.texasdeca.org.  

In this new role, Nicole will focus on aligning Texas DECA’s social media outlets, www.texasdeca.org, and all marketing collateral to match our organization’s mission statement of preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. Nicole will also lead the development of a newsletter series for our various stakeholders, including advisors, students, and “friends of Texas DECA” to include alumni and professional members. Additionally, Nicole will serve as the volunteer coordinator for Texas DECA, managing the recruitment of judges for our competitive events.

Nicole was named the State Advisor for Texas Collegiate DECA in 2019 and will continue to serve in that role and as a DECA Inc. representative. In her free time, Nicole enjoys traveling to experience new places/food/cultures, reading, doodling/drawing and stalking Pinterest for a new project.

Traci Buckner, Chair of the Texas DECA Board of Directors, states “the Board and I are thrilled to have Nicole Willis join the staff in a full-time capacity. Nicole has been a driving force behind the branding and imagery of Texas DECA for many years, and brings with her a unique blend of creativity, the skillset to enact it, and a passion for DECA. Nicole understands the impact that DECA has on students and advisors alike and is a true asset to Texas DECA.”

“I first met Nicole during my time with Northwood University when I was coordinating the Mock DECA events and Nicole was a standout student competitor. Seeing her continue through college and becoming an integral part of Texas DECA these last four years, it was a no-brainer to move her to a full-time position to allow her enthusiasm and inventiveness to shine and make a lasting impact on our members” said Josh Shankle, Executive Director.

Nicole will transition to this full-time position beginning July 1, 2020. Her email is willis@texasdeca.org.