Webber Students Earn Recognition at FBLA National Leadership Conference

For the second year in a row, Webber International University's team has left the annual Future Business Leaders of America conference with a number of awards.

Twelve FBLA students traveled to Atlanta to attend the FBLA Collegiate National Leadership Conference (NLC). The group was accompanied by their advisor, Associate Professor Dr. Joanne Muniz, who serves as the chair of the university's Accounting and Honors program.

The freshman team of Michelina Arrigo, an IMC major, and Jessica Sanchez, a Psychology major, won first place in Website Design. Stephen Hopkins took sixth place in the nation in Future Business Executive competition.

This annual NLC conference is the culmination of the hard work of Webber's students who competed at the District and State levels to earn their place at Nationals.

The NLC brought FBLA collegiate students together from across the US and Puerto Rico to work on polishing their professional and personal skills as they work their way through their academic careers with the destination of furthering their education, becoming employed, or starting their own businesses.

"This year's students were a diverse group from a mix of majors across the University, which supports FBLA's belief that business leaders are not only limited to business disciplines, but anyone who is working towards service, education, and progress in their academic journey," Muniz said.

Students attending the four-day conference had opportunities to have their resumes reviewed by top industry human resource professionals, have professional headshots taken, and attend a networking reception with FBLA alumni, national officers, and board members. They also heard from CLA's (CliftonLarsonAllen) Chief Executive Officer Jen Leary and Chief Culture Officer Cathy Clarke as they shared their insights on professional success and obstacles faced by today's business professionals.

Students also had the opportunity to attend any number of 69 workshops which were designed to help students navigate their career paths and improve their mental health. Beyond the self-awareness and professional information presented to this year's attendees, students also competed in over 50 events, which included objective tests, performance, and presentation categories.

Webber U students attending included the team of Natalie Bartek, Andrea Acuna, and Chase Muniz, who competed in Community Service, Natalie Bartek and Paysee Crow in Social Media Marketing, along with Andrea Acuna and Bryce Gerber in Digital Media.

Students competing in individual events included Phylicity Knowles and Haley Leavines in Cybersecurity, Katy-Rose Hill in Networking Concepts and Sales Presentation, and Alexander Angell in Program Management.

Webber International University offers degrees at the associates, bachelors, and masters level through traditional day, accelerated night and weekend, and entirely on-line formats. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and numerous programs have earned additional programmatic accreditations.

The University has been recognized as a US News and World Reports Best Regional Colleges in the south, as a Princeton Review Best Southeastern College, has earned Petersons' top marks for academics, value, and community, and has been designated a Military Friendly School.