CWI Continues Success at BPA National Leadership Conference

Published: May 12, 2023

Congratulations to members of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) student organization who represented College of Western Idaho (CWI) at the 2023 BPA National Leadership Conference (NLC) on April 26 – 30 in Anaheim, California.

Eleven students from CWI competed in computer science and business events and brought home 36 top-ten medals, four first-place, five second-place, and four third-place plaques.

2023 CWI BPA NLC competitors

Bryson Bailey

Ashley Furr

Nathan Gaddy

Sarah Ives

Cameron James

Roger Johnston

Baiden Jones

Ethan Maze

Spencer McConnell

Stanley Ward

William Young

First Place

Roger Johnston — Prepared Speech

Roger Johnston — Information Technology Concepts – Open

William Young — Server Administration Using Microsoft

Spencer McConnell — Linux Operating System Fundamentals

Second Place

Bryson Bailey — Financial Math & Analysis Concepts – Open

William Young — Device Configure and Troubleshooting – IT Specialist Device Configuration and Management

Cameron James — Computer Security – IT Specialist Network Security

Stanley Ward & Sarah Ives — Network Design Team

Roger Johnston — Digital Communication & Design Concepts – Open

Third Place

Bryson Bailey — Personal Financial Management

Sarah Ives — Computer Network Technology - IT Specialist Networking

Baiden Jones — Server Administration Using Microsoft

Roger Johnston — Computer Programming Concepts – Open

In addition to the competition, students who participated in BPA at the College were able to meet people from all over the country, network with potential future employers, and compete against some of the best students in their fields.

To learn more about BPA, contact advisors Seth Akers at 208.562.2565 or sethakers@cwi.edu or Linda Otto at 208.562.2519 or lindaotto@cwi.edu.

More from CWI

Students stand in front of CSI logo

College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Speech and Debate team launched the 2026-2027 season at the Fran Tanner Open, held Sept. 25 and 26 at College of Southern Idaho. The tournament welcomed...

Read more about Speech & Debate Kicks Off 2026 Season at Fran Tanner Open
Person stands in front of tree and grass with arms crossed

A summer internship at the Stibnite Gold Project gave CWI Geosciences student Kyah Retherford hands-on experience and a closer look at careers in mining and geoscience.

Read more about Retherford Discovers Possibilities Through Geosciences
Student looks at drill core

Geosciences and Mining Technician students spent the summer gaining hands-on experience at Perpetua Resources while connecting classroom learning to careers in mining.

Read more about Student Interns Spend Summer at Stibnite Gold Project
Faculty and students interact with one another

This Fall 2026 semester, approximately 450 new apprenticeship students began their first year in CWI's Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC Apprenticeship programs.

Read more about New Apprentices Begin Skilled Trades Training at CWI
Madison Miller stands in front of stairs leading to building

An internship with Idaho State Police gave Madison Miller firsthand experience — and a clearer picture of where a criminal justice career could take her.

Read more about Miller Takes Criminal Justice Lessons Beyond the Classroom
Three CNA students stand in lab

Access to healthcare education is growing in Valley County thanks to new partnerships between CWI, McCall Rehabilitation and Care Center, and McCall-Donnelly High School.

Read more about Partnerships Expand Certified Nursing Assistant Training Opportunities in Valley County
Studio Art students at the Nampa Festival of Arts

Studio Art students and faculty judged the Juried Arts Competition at the 39th Annual Nampa Festival of the Arts, Aug. 8 and 9.

Read more about CWI Studio Art Celebrates Local Arts
Kellan Brown leans against the wall

Kellan Brown came to CWI with questions about people and the human experience. Through anthropology, he’s discovering where those questions can take him.

Read more about Brown Builds a Future in Anthropology
Autumn Harvey wearing her medal in front of a car

From the classroom to the national stage, CWI graduate, Autumn Harvey, turned technical skill and determination into gold and a career.

Read more about Harvey Builds a Gold Medal Career
Alex Nava on a staircase

Refusing to give up, Alex Nava overcame extraordinary challenges to earn his degree and start a new chapter in accounting.

Read more about Getting Back Up
Faculty and student with a certificate

Nominated by faculty, students were selected based on their commitment to learning, perseverance, innovative thinking, leadership, and professionalism in and outside of the classroom.

Read more about 2027 Emerging Scholars
Autumn Harvey celebrating her win
Courtesy: SkillsUSA

Competing against some of the nation's top career and technical education students, CWI earned national recognition with two medal-winning entries.

Read more about CWI Students Earn National Recognition at 2026 SkillsUSA Championships

News QR Code

URL: https://cwi.edu/news/cwi-continues-success-bpa-national-leadership-conference<br>