College of Technology Students Earn Top Honors at BPA State Conference

Students from Idaho State University’s College of Technology brought home top honors from the 2026 Business Professionals of America (BPA) State Leadership Conference, demonstrating the university’s commitment to preparing students for careers in business, technology, and administrative fields. Their achievements highlight the College’s hands-on training, competitive programs, and the real-world skills students gain while at ISU.

Business Professionals of America is the nation’s leading Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), giving students the opportunity to develop career-ready skills, compete in industry-based events, and build connections with peers and professionals. BPA supports students preparing for careers in business administration, finance and accounting, information technology, human resources, computer programming, graphic and web design, and entrepreneurship.

At the conference, Idaho State students earned several first-place finishes. Jalie Oerke took first in College Accounting and Financial Math and Analysis. Denette Powers placed first in Fundamental Spreadsheet Applications and Graphic Design Promotion. Zach Ellis won first in Device Configuration and Troubleshooting and Server Administration Using Microsoft. Shantell Hulse and Oerke earned first in Meeting and Event Planning.

Second-place awards included Kadence Stevens in Payroll Accounting, Hulse in College Accounting and Business Law and Ethics, Casey Anderson in Human Resource Management, Powers in Administrative Support Concepts and Health Administration, Zach Ellis in Server Administration Using Cisco and Digital Communications and Design, Miranda Stearnsin Prepared Speech, and Leandra Thorpe in Graphic Design Promotion and Ethics and Professionalism.

Third-place finishes included Stevens in College Accounting, Casey Anderson in Business Law and Ethics and Ethics and Professionalism, Melita Fisher in Fundamental Word Processing and Basic Office Systems and Procedures, and Hulse in Human Resource Management.

These results qualified the top-performing students to compete at the BPA National Leadership Conference in Nashville in May, where they will represent Idaho State University and compete against students from across the nation.