Business Professionals of America chapter launched at Finlandia

The organizing committee for the Finlandia Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter: (Left to right) Logan Moore, Niami Shepeard, Kyle Niemi, Nathan Perreault, Amelia Carusi, Haley Makela, Samantha Richards and Tyler Borkadi.

On September 7, Finlandia University saw the founding of a university chapter of Business Professionals of America. BPA is a national organization aimed at preparing students for careers in business and related fields through participation in regional, state and national professional, civic, service and social endeavors. BPA has 45,000 members in over 1,800 chapters in 25 states and Puerto Rico at both the secondary high school and collegiate levels.

Newly elected Finlandia chapter president Logan Moore expressed the feeling of all of the founders when he stated that “creating a Business Professionals of America chapter at Finlandia is an exciting and worthwhile experience that will help students connect with the business world and provide opportunities to learn skills that businesses look for in applicants. I’m looking forward to growing the program and learning from business professionals.”

BPA members can compete in the Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP). The WSAP prepares students to succeed and assesses real world business skills and problem solving abilities by competing in different categories at regional, statewide and even national levels. In addition, the Torch Awards Program is designed to promote professionalism and leadership in both career development and personal growth. Through this program, students can earn points towards recognition in various Torch categories.

Another interesting program, BPA Cares, encourages both individual students and entire chapters to get involved with community service projects for which they can receive recognition for their efforts and accomplishments from Business Professionals of America. In addition, the new BPA chapter plans regular events such as the hosting of guest speakers from business and industry and as well as participating in existing Finlandia University activities.

The Finlandia chapter officers for 2017-18 include Logan Moore, President; Nathan Perreault, vice-president; Amelia Carusi, secretary; and Kyle Niemi, treasurer. Tyler Borkadi will be chairing the Membership and promotions committee. Borkadi and Perreault have previous experience with BPA as their high schools had chapters at Escanaba and Calumet high schools, respectively. For more information on BPA go to bpa.org or for info or questions about the Finlandia chapter contact president Logan Moore at lemoore@finlandia.edu.  Membership in Business Professionals of America is open to all Finlandia students.