Embry-Riddle FBLA Collegiate Chapter Wins 18th Consecutive State Championship

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has once again claimed the top spot at the Arizona Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate State Leadership Conference, extending its nearly two decade run with an 18th consecutive statewide championship.

The two-day competition, held April 5-6 at the Tucson Convention Center, brought together top collegiate business students from across Arizona to compete in a wide range of individual and team events designed to test business knowledge, leadership skills and career readiness.

Seventeen students from the Prescott Campus competed in 47 events, earning 20 first-place finishes and a total of 36 top-three awards — the highest number of both first-place finishes and overall awards among all participating institutions, including Arizona State University and Yavapai College.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students Carter Navulur, Autumn Cooper and Chloe Hovious pose with Arizona FBLA Collegiate State President Campbell Augustinovich at the 2026 State Leadership Conference. (Photo: Embry-Riddle)For Autumn Cooper, a Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination major, the experience was both her first time competing and a defining moment.

“It was both a challenging and wonderful experience,” Cooper said. “The competition felt like a great chance to participate with my friends and apply everything I’ve learned in a different setting.”

Cooper earned first-place finishes in Foundations of Accounting and the Accounting Case Competition, an achievement she said came as a surprise.

“When I found out that I had taken first with my phenomenal partner, I was amazed and grateful for the opportunity,” she said.

She added that the team’s continued success reflects the culture within Embry-Riddle’s business programs.

“Students here are driven but also really supportive of each other,” Cooper said. “Having a strong support system makes everyone feel more confident in their abilities, and that is reflected in their performance.”

The annual conference, now in its 56th year, is hosted by FBLA, the world’s largest student business organization. The event is designed to strengthen students’ business acumen and leadership capabilities as they prepare for professional careers.

“I’m extremely proud of our students who performed exceptionally well against formidable competitors from well-established programs across the state of Arizona,” said Dr. Javad Gorjidooz, professor of finance and FBLA advisor to the team. “This victory clearly reflects the outstanding quality of our students, the dedication of our business faculty and the strong support of our administration.”

The championship title extends nearly two decades of success for Embry-Riddle Prescott’s FBLA Collegiate chapter, underscoring the strength of the university’s business programs within the College of Business, Security and Intelligence.

Students who placed at the state level are now eligible to compete at the 2026 FBLA National Leadership Conference, scheduled for June 6-8 in Las Vegas.