National Career Association’s First-Ever National Career Development Conference

News Release from JAG National May 16, 2022 – click to see original release

The National Career Development Conference (NCDC) is the annual highlight providing an opportunity for all NCA members to participate in general sessions, competitive events, educational workshops, leadership development training, and college and career exploration.

Over 600 NCA members, JAG Specialists, and guests participated in the first-ever National Career Development Conference in Dallas, TX, May 5-7.  Participants from all over the country, came together to compete, learn, and share their JAG experiences.  Conference highlights included 10 employability-based competitive events, 54 educational workshops, a College and Career Exhibit, and keynote addresses from motivational speakers EJ Carrion and Ashley Bendiksen.

View the NCDC ThinkBack Video.

This year 284 competitors competed in 10 National Competitive Events demonstrating employability competencies developed through the JAG Model and NCA Chapter activities. The NCA congratulates all middle school, high school, and out-of-school winners in this year’s competitive events program.

View the complete list of competitive event winners.  

During the Annual Business Session, the Voting Delegates elected four outstanding NCA members to the first National Officer Team. Congratulations to the 2022-2023 NCA National Officer Team:

President: Ryah Klima, Kansas
President-Elect: Kira Canada, Iowa
Secretary: Lauryn Howard, Arkansas
Parliamentarian: Charlie Garcia, Iowa

In addition, the Voting Delegates also selected Habitat for Humanity as the 2022-2024 National Service Project.  A special thank you to Kennedy Reed (AL) for serving as the temporary President and Lucas Cole (KY) for serving as the temporary secretary at the Business Session.

While in Dallas, NCA members also had the opportunity to visit historic landmarks such as the 6th Floor Museum and Delaney Plaza and new attractions such as the AT&T Discovery District downtown; ride the rollercoasters at Six Flags, and learn about “America’s Team” at AT&T Stadium.