MUSKEGON — Baker College of Muskegon students took home several top-five wins, including three first-place finishes, at the state Business Professionals of America (BPA) Leadership Conference, Feb. 14. Nine of the 10 participating Baker College students qualified to compete at the national BPA conference, May 6-10, in Anaheim, California. They will comprise the largest BPA team to represent Baker College of Muskegon at the national level to date.

The students competed in the business and technology workplace skills events. Among those who qualified for national competition and their state competition results were Kenneth Creameans, of Dowagiac, took third place in computer security.

“I congratulate these students for their dedication to their respective career programs and commitment they have each made to the BPA team,” said Lee Coggin, J.D., Baker College of Muskegon president. “Their performance at the state conference is a reflection of the high quality of education that is provided at Baker College of Muskegon.”

Nearly 180 students competed at this year’s state conference on behalf of the 13 postsecondary education chapters. Approximately 105 of them qualified for competition at the national convention, which will be attended by an estimated 5,000 high school and postsecondary education students.

Mark Verhoeven, program director of networking and security at Baker College of Muskegon and BPA team advisor, said, “These students worked hard to prepare for the state competition. Regardless of the outcome at the national convention, they have already proven they are winners.”

The four-day national conference is comprised of various events, including: competitions, leadership development workshops, networking, certification options in multiple software programs, national officer elections and nationally known speakers. The theme of this year’s convention is: Imagine, Believe, Become.

BPA has more than 43,000 members through chapters in 23 states and is known as the leading career and technical- student organization for students pursuing business-related careers.

For more information about the Baker College business and computer technology programs, contact Kathy Jacobson in the admissions office at kathy.jacobson@baker.edu or (231) 777-5200.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 28,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 150 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance — free and forever. Baker is a pioneer in online education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.