Six Lackawanna College students competed alongside nearly 800 of the country’s top business students in the 2021 Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) National Leadership Conference (NLC) held virtually between June 24-27. Several Falcons placed in the top ten in their respective categories. 

The students had previously competed and won between first and third place in state competitions, also held online in April 2021, qualifying them to advance to nationals. 

At the NLC, Business graduate Jillian Martin ’21, of Berwick, and Accounting major Brian Davis, of Scranton, partnered to earn fourth place in the business category. Current Professional Studies bachelor’s degree student Mason Kay ’19, of Clarks Summit, earned fifth place in Digital Media. Current Accounting bachelor’s major Sara Kellerman ’17, of Honesdale, obtained seventh place in Accounting for Professionals. Brittany Flynn ’21, of Mayfield, placed eighth in Sports Management and Marketing and ninth in Contemporary Sports Issues. Scranton native Kelly Kuzma ’21 also competed in the national event. 

College faculty and staff supporting PBL include advisor Carolyn Chupko, co-advisors Suzanne Cercone and Karen Lipnichan, and Pennsylvania PBL State Advisor Beverly O’Hora.  PBL is the college division of FBLA with over 8,000 members and more than 350 chapters, helping students prepare for careers in business. As PBL’s mission is to “prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences,” Lackawanna’s chapter is open to students of all majors.