Opening the Door to the Next Generation of Marketing Talent
Long before the first internship or job offer, many future marketers discover the profession in classrooms where educators help bring business and marketing concepts to life. AMA Atlanta has been actively contributing to supporting marketing education for over two decades.
One of the programs supporting that journey is DECA (formerly the Distributive Education Clubs of America). DECA prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management through classroom learning, leadership development, and competitive events that simulate real business challenges. In 2025, DECA welcomed the American Marketing Association as a strategic partner, creating new opportunities for students to connect with the professional marketing community and translate their classroom experiences into industry recognized credentials in states where the AMA Marketing Management Certification has been approved.
How AMA Atlanta, GDOE and DECA help connect classrooms to careers in marketing
In Georgia, AMA Atlanta has supported marketing education through its DECA Special Interest Group in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Education (GDOE), since 2004. Through this initiative, AMA Atlanta acts as the certifying governing body to certify high school marketing programs, through industry certification, across the state and recognizes outstanding students and educators through scholarships and teacher grants.
As part of the certification process, schools must demonstrate strong curriculum standards, appropriate classroom facilities, and program outcomes through documentation review and on site evaluation. Schools that meet these standards qualify for state funding that supports marketing education programs. Certification is granted for five years, after which schools must complete the process again to maintain their status, and can apply for re-certification every 5 years following.
Alongside certification, AMA Atlanta recognizes excellence through annual scholarships and teacher grants. Each year two student scholarships and two teacher grants are awarded. Recipients are recognized during the Georgia DECA State Competition and are also invited to the AMY Awards, AMA Atlanta’s annual celebration of marketing excellence.
The 2026 AMY Awards will take place on March 19, 2026, from 5:30 to 9:00 PM at The Foundry at Puritan Mill in Atlanta. Learn more at amyawardsatl.com.
The following spotlights highlight individuals and their stories whose journeys reflect the impact of these programs.
Educator Spotlight: Mackenzie Dye
A former DECA student now guiding the next generation of marketing students
Mackenzie Dye,
Teacher Grant Recipient
Mackenzie Dye is a marketing teacher and DECA advisor at East Forsyth High School, where she has been building the school’s marketing program since the school opened in 2021.
A former DECA student herself, Dye now mentors students exploring careers in marketing and business. As a DECA advisor, she supports students as they prepare for competitions and leadership experiences.
When she received the AMA Teacher Grant, she was in her fourth year as a marketing teacher and actively building the DECA chapter at a newly established school. The support helped strengthen the program and expand opportunities for students to participate in DECA activities and competitions.
Student Spotlight: Carrie Depner
From leading her DECA chapter to building a career in marketing
Carrie Depner,
Scholarship Recipient
When Carrie Depner received the AMA scholarship during the final semester of her senior year at South Forsyth High School, she was in the middle of making one of the biggest decisions ahead of her: where to attend college. The scholarship helped make it possible for her to pursue that next step out of state.
Depner graduated with highest honors and served as Co-President of the school’s DECA chapter, where she spent four years building her experience in marketing and business.
Today she is a second year student at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, majoring in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Anthropology. She is also pursuing certifications in Service Learning and Leadership Studies.
The recognition from AMA and her experience in DECA helped open early doors in the field. Depner now does contract work in marketing and advertising while continuing her studies.
Student Spotlight: Olivia Stegner
From leading Georgia DECA to pursuing a career in finance
Olivia Stegner, Scholarship Recipient
Olivia Stegner’s path through DECA placed her at the center of student leadership in the organization.
During her senior year at Houston County High School, Stegner served as Executive President of Georgia DECA while also representing students as the International Southern Region Vice President for DECA.
She is now studying finance and accounting at William & Mary. This summer she will spend time in New York City as an Aviation Finance Investment Banking Analyst at MUFG.
After completing her undergraduate studies, Stegner plans to return to William & Mary to pursue a Master of Accounting as part of her path toward CPA certification.
Student Spotlight: Quin Petty
Combining advertising, global experiences, and real client work
Quin Petty,
Scholarship Recipient
Quin Petty received the AMA scholarship while graduating from West Forsyth High School and has continued building her path in marketing and communications.
She is currently a student at the University of Georgia pursuing a degree in advertising with a minor in communication studies. Petty is also part of the Double Dawgs program, which allows her to pursue a master’s degree in Integrated Advertising and Public Relations.
At UGA she works with Talking Dog Agency, collaborating with fellow students on real client work. Her academic journey has also taken her beyond the classroom through experiences such as attending the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity and studying in Oxford.
The Heart Behind the Program
Rich Nobliski,
VP of Education, DECA
Behind much of AMA Atlanta’s DECA initiative is Rich Nobliski, whose long standing volunteer commitment has helped support marketing education programs across Georgia.
Nobliski began volunteering with the AMA Atlanta DECA initiative in 2014 and was appointed DECA Chair for the chapter in 2015. Over the years he has personally visited 140+ high schools across the state as part of the marketing program certification process.
These visits involve reviewing curriculum documentation, evaluating classroom facilities, and meeting with students who present marketing projects and competition work. The certification process ensures that schools meet the standards required to deliver marketing education programs and qualify for state funding support.
In addition to certification visits, Nobliski manages the scholarship and teacher grant programs, conducting interviews and helping select recipients each year. He also participates in DECA competitions as a judge and presents scholarship and teacher grant awards during the Georgia DECA Regional, State & International Competitions.
Over time he has seen the long term impact of the program unfold. In one memorable example, Mackenzie Dye who we profiled above, was a student whose school he had visited and who later became a marketing teacher and eventually received the AMA Teacher Grant herself. Moments like that reflect the lasting ripple effect of programs that introduce young people to marketing early and support the educators who guide them along the way.
A Long Term Investment in the Marketing Profession
Programs like the AMA Atlanta, GDOE and DECA initiative demonstrate how professional organizations can support the future of an industry long before students enter the workforce.
By strengthening marketing education, recognizing outstanding educators, and supporting students through scholarships and mentorship, AMA Atlanta helps create meaningful pathways for young people to explore careers in marketing and business.
For the students and teachers involved, the impact often extends far beyond the classroom. For Atlanta’s marketing community, it represents something equally important: investing in the curiosity, ambition, and leadership of the next generation of marketers who will shape the profession in the years ahead.
About the Author
Aby Varma is part of the AMA Atlanta Marketing Committee. He is a global business and marketing leader and founder of Spark Novus, a firm focused on enabling marketing teams to unlock AI for impact through strategy, implementation, and training. He hosts The Marketing AI SparkCast podcast and leads the Marketing AI Pulse community focused on AI education and collaboration. Aby also serves as Head of Marketing for TEDxAtlanta and is a member of the Forbes Communications Council, where he shares insights on AI, marketing, and business transformation.