Leadership, preparation and hard work paid off for Missouri State University students at the 2026 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Collegiate National Leadership Conference.

Competing against some of the nation’s best emerging business leaders June 6-8 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Missouri State FBLA Collegiate members earned multiple top awards.

Alyson Harter, chapter president and entertainment management senior, placed third in the State of Chapter Presentation. She also finished 10th in Organizational Behavior and Leadership and received the prestigious Who’s Who in FBLA award.

“Placing third nationally was especially meaningful because the event represents the chapter as a whole,” Harter said. “I was competing against students from much larger universities, so I was proud to see Missouri State recognized on the national stage.”

The State of Chapter Presentation highlights a chapter’s accomplishments, growth and impact throughout the year.

“I think my presentation stood out because I spoke genuinely about what our chapter has achieved,” Harter said. “I focused on how we’ve grown, increased member engagement and addressed challenges over the past year.”

More awards

The chapter and members won these additional awards:

• Foundations of Digital Design – Dianna Escarate, design freshman, fifth place, and Ellen Kolwaski, information technology sophomore, seventh place
• Business Law – Tucker Wisecup, management and leadership junior, eighth place
• Computer Applications – Kolwaski, eighth place
• FBLA Collegiate Outstanding Chapter, eighth place
• Retail Management – Lyndsey Conley, marketing senior, ninth place
• Digital Design and Communication Case – Escarate; Kattie Chilton, electronic arts freshman; Lexus Diaz, marketing freshman; and Sarah Jeon, marketing junior, ninth place
• Future Business Executive – Ava Lin, management and leadership junior, 10th place

Preparation fuels success

According to faculty advisor Courtney Pham, senior instructor of marketing, the chapter’s success is the result of months of preparation, peer mentoring and collaboration.

“We’re extremely excited to receive this third-place award for our chapter,” Pham said. “This recognition reflects our members’ hard work, dedication and commitment to FBLA. Seeing our students recognized on the national stage was incredible and a testament to the effort they invested throughout the year.”

Pham, who was named Local Advisor of the Year (Missouri), noted that students began preparing during the fall semester. They qualified for the national conference through strong performances at the state conference in March.

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