At the 2026 DECA Regional Competition, Middlesex Community College earned 12 medals in a variety of categories related to business. Held at Stonehill College in February, the 18 Middlesex students competed against students from four-year schools.
“The sense of accomplishment that comes from earning recognition or contributing to a team’s success is deeply empowering for our students,” said Vikram Sharma, MCC Business Administration and Economics Chair and DECA Faculty Advisor. “Students learn to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate under pressure, and apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios within tight time constraints. These competitions function as ‘active, career-relevant conferences’ that combine experiential learning with professional development.”
A nonprofit career and technical international student organization, DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs. At this year’s regional competition, MCC students earned three gold, four silver, and five bronze medals in multiple categories of individual events.
MCC DECA gold medalists included Heet Shah, Bob Rith and Akash Hanchur. Students Qais Saleh, Julia Pioli, Elijah Ortuno and Nicolas Cho were awarded silver medals, while students Yahya Basil, Matthew Chau, Tristan Nam, Khanh Vy Nguyen and Yuanzhe Wang won bronze. MCC medalists and qualifying students will also have the opportunity to compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia in April.
“I wanted to participate to challenge myself, step into a leadership role, and proudly represent Middlesex Community College in a professional business setting,” Shah said. “Receiving feedback from individuals actively working in business fields provides insight that textbooks alone cannot offer, which I believe is essential in preparing for life after college.”
MCC business student Shah, of Lowell, competed in the Corporate Finance category at DECA. Shah found his achievement rewarding because of the category’s high difficulty. He also had the opportunity to gain career skills by practicing problem-solving strategies under pressure.
Rith, a business administration transfer major, of Lowell, chose to compete in the Financial Accounting category at DECA. During the competition, he applied his skills in topics such as assets, liabilities, and owner’s equity. In addition to winning a gold medal, he gained the opportunity to practice for his financial career.
“Having this experience is really beneficial not just for a career, but also for personal development,” Rith said. “The competition challenged me to think like an actual accountant, which allowed me to get a taste and be prepared for what it is like in the real world."
Hanchur, of Westford, is also an MCC business administration transfer student. At DECA, he learned about business, as well as how to manage stress during competition and network with peers. Speaking with members of his DECA chapter helped him stay focused and confident during the Entrepreneurship Operations event.
“This was my first time competing in DECA, and I couldn’t have been happier with it,” Hanchur said. “Competitions like DECA allow you to push yourself and find out what you're capable of. It teaches you what you are good at and what you need to work on.”
Competing in the Entrepreneurship Operations event, Saleh is an MCC business student, of Westford. He was inspired to join DECA because of his interests in how businesses grow and make decisions. The competition also helped him meet peers who shared his excitement for entrepreneurship.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent MCC at the DECA Competition and appreciate the support from professors and mentors who encourage students to take part in experiences like this,” Saleh said. “I think opportunities like this are really valuable because they give students a chance to apply what they learn in class while also building confidence and practical skills.”
MCC business administration transfer student Pioli, of Winchester, also gained confidence and a desire to keep pushing themselves during the Fashion Merchandising and Marketing event. As a first-time competitor, Pioli learned that their confidence and adaptability helped them succeed.
“Possessing these traits is what I believe has set me apart from my competition,” Pioli said. “I am bringing back this win for myself, my chapter, my advisor, my school, and for every community college student. I chose to come to MCC for programs like DECA. I wanted an education where there was an emphasis on the connections and opportunities outside of the classroom.”
Ortuno is an MCC transfer student interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), of Maynard, hoping to major in astrophysics at a four-year college. During the competition, he enjoyed making connections with peers and mentors. As a non-business major, he also appreciated his friends’ encouragement to participate and gain hands-on skills outside of his major.
“My experience at this year's DECA conference was extremely fulfilling,” Ortuno said. “We really supported each other throughout the entire day and did the best we could. I believe that is one of the most important reasons why students like me can take away a lot from DECA.”