Sheyann Williams (L) and Katie Gallagher

Heartland Phi Beta Lambda members place in national competition

 

[July 31, 2020]    Heartland Community College students posted a strong showing at this summer’s Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference competition, demonstrating their skills from home.

Students submitted case studies through recorded video, real-time interviews, or prejudged material. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the conference was held virtually. Three Heartland students advanced to the finals in business-centric categories. Two students placed with multiple top-ten finishes.

Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is a national student organization that prepares members for careers in business. Members of PBL can compete in a variety of categories at the state and national level.

Students who placed 1st or 2nd at the State Conference advanced to compete in The National Leadership Conference. Heartland students will competed against over 2,000 students representing 44 colleges and universities from throughout the United States. The conference, originally planned to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah, was held in a remote format over a week’s span this summer.

Three Heartland students advanced to the finals of the national competition.

Sheyann (Mathias) Williams:
2nd Place, Administrative Technology
8th Place, Computer Applications

Katie Gallagher:
2nd Place, Client Services
8th Place, Job Interview 

Robert Brtva:
Advanced to the finals in Web Design

“For the past six years Heartland Community College has been supporting students competing in the Illinois Phi Beta Lambda State Leadership Conference. This year we maintained our streak of having PBL students advance to the national competition,” said Phi Beta Lambda advisor Linda Lambert. “Our PBL students represent the College in a great way, showing the skills they will take into the workplace.”

The mission of Phi Beta Lambda is to provide leadership training and service opportunities to students and is a national business organization that welcomes students in any major.

At PBL conferences, students compete and attend workshops as well as listen to keynote addresses. Through this Leadership Conference and Competition, students apply what they learn in the classroom.

[Steve Fast
Director, Public Information
Heartland Community College]