Students from Ashford University were among the more than 1,700 students who recently traveled to San Antonio, Texas to showcase their talents as future business leaders and compete for the opportunity to win more than $54,000 in cash awards.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), the largest and oldest student business organization, held its National Leadership Conference in San Antonio on June 24-27. Participants from across the United States and two countries attended the conference to sharpen their core business skills, expand their networks and participate in more than 55 business and business-related competitive events.

Ashford University’s Troy Behning, Seneca, IL; Christina Justice, Morrison, IL; Dawn Nelson, Delmar, IA and Ben Ingram, Davenport, IA received national recognition at the

PBL Awards of Excellence on June 27. Behning and Justice competed as a team in Accounting Analysis & Decision Making and brought home third place. Ingram placed seventh in Project Management and Nelson placed tenth in Computer Applications.                                                    

The awards were part of a comprehensive national competitive events program sponsored by FBLA-PBL that recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas. For many students, the competitive events are the capstone activity of their academic careers. In addition to the competitions, students attended educational workshops and motivational presentations on a broad range of business topics.

Other Ashford University students competing at the national conference included Heath Westerkamp, Bettendorf, IA; Gema Delgado, Rockford, IL; Jesse Lawson, Sabula, IA; Stephanie Nessling, Thayoer, MO; Ava Biriouk, Hudsonville, MI; Teleonte Smith, Hannibal, MO; Tim Elias, Grayslake, IL and Stacy Kelley, Clinton, IA.

About FBLA-PBL, Inc.

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) education association with a quarter million members and advisers in over 6,500 active middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC. For more information, visit www.fbla-pbl.org.

About Ashford University

Ashford University is defining the modern college experience by combining the heritage of a traditional campus with the flexibility and effectiveness of online learning. The University provides a vibrant learning community where high-quality programs and leading-edge technology create a dynamic, immersive and stimulating learning experience. Ashford University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). The University offers practical and progressive associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs online, as well as bachelor’s degree programs at its Clinton, Iowa, campus. Ashford University – where heritage meets innovation. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu or call Shari Rodriguez, associate vice president of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.