SFA business students advance to national FBLA competition

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Two Stephen F. Austin State University business students will prove their skills on a national stage after earning top honors at the Texas Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate State Leadership Conference in February. Jessica Frasier and Julian Ieva, both students in SFA’s Rusche College of Business and members of SFA’s FBLA student chapter, will advance to the FBLA National Leadership Conference after securing top state-level placements in finance and public speaking competitions.

For Frasier, president of SFA’s FBLA chapter and general business senior from Bay City, the competition has been an invaluable opportunity to develop real-world financial and communication skills. She earned first place in the Finance Case Competition and second place in the Public Speaking Competition.

“The state and national leadership conferences are a great way to connect with other young professionals while learning more about and competing in the competencies necessary to a professional career,” Frasier said. “As someone who hopes to become a financial advisor one day, the Finance Case Competition has allowed me the chance to prepare a client analysis with the necessary details, present a budget in an easily digestible way and, alongside public speaking, convey all of this information in an organized and professional manner while getting feedback from the judges on how I can improve.”

Julian Ieva, treasurer of SFA’s FBLA chapter and accounting junior from Houston, found particular benefit in the conference’s networking and professional development opportunities. Ieva earned second place for the Foundations of Finance Competition.

“The leadership conferences are a great way for students to practice networking,” Ieva said. “We got to hear from knowledgeable speakers who led workshops to help us develop professionally. I am very thankful that the college of business aids us in attending these conferences. Nationals will be another great opportunity to connect with professionals in the industry.”

Frasier and Ieva will compete at the FBLA National Leadership Conference May 31 through June 2 in Dallas.

“Jessica’s and Julian’s hard work is paying off,” said Dr. Marice Kelly, assistant professor of business communication and legal studies at SFA and faculty advisor for the university’s FBLA chapter. “We are so proud of them and can’t wait to see how they do at nationals.”

For more information on SFA’s Rusche College of Business and FBLA student chapter, visit sfasu.edu/cob.