Blackhawk Technical College alumnus and current student Marcus Evans continues to lead and inspire—this time as a Blackhawk ambassador at the state level. Evans already completed an associate degree in Culinary Arts and is now pursuing a second associate degree from Blackhawk in Hospitality Management. In October, he was elected to one of two Wisconsin post-secondary division vice president positions for the Wisconsin chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA). Shortly after the election, the chapter’s president had to step down and Evans was selected to take the reins.
Evans is also currently the president of Blackhawk’s BPA student group.
“The BPA organization has been very instrumental in my development as a professional. I have gained a wealth of knowledge, skills, and abilities that I can utilize in my future educational and professional endeavors. I had the opportunity to meet and network with like-minded individuals who share the same values and beliefs about receiving a good education, while growing and developing themselves as well as their community,” he said.
“It has been fun to watch Marcus grow as a leader through his involvement with BPA,” shared Joel Schleusner, Administrative Chair of the Business Department at Blackhawk and a BPA advisor. “He became our chapter president a year ago, and he has set a great example for other Blackhawk business students. I'm proud to have him representing our chapter at the state level!”
This is only the second time in more than 15 years that Blackhawk has had a state-level officer in the Wisconsin BPA chapter. It's also the first time Blackhawk has had a state president. Additionally, Deven Deegan, another Blackhawk student, was also elected as a state officer this year. Dillon is currently serving as the Wisconsin Post-Secondary Division Marketing Officer.
“I chose to run for an officer role on the state council to continue my path of growth and development,” Evans shared. “I ran because I know that there is more work to be done, and there is much more for me to accomplish in order to make a positive impact on the community and future generation.”
“Marcus is one of those rare students who can walk into any room and immediately make people feel welcome. He’s incredibly personable and genuinely connects with everyone he meets, which makes him the perfect ambassador for Blackhawk Technical College at the state level,” Renee Pierpont Hable, an Adjunct Instructor for Blackhawk’s Hospitality Management program, said. “His leadership in BPA reflects not just his talent, but his character. We’re super proud to see him representing our Hospitality Management and Culinary programs and our college.”
Evans said the Wisconsin BPA chapter is working on a few things right now:
- Getting all BPA members prepared to compete in the State Leadership Conference in February 2026.
- Completing submissions for scholarships and organizational awards.
- Holding BPA’s Winter Leadership Board Meeting in a couple of weeks to determine state-level initiatives and fundraisers to be conducted in the spring.
“My goal is to represent the state of Wisconsin at the National Leadership Conference being held in Nashville in May 2026 and to bring home a few more trophies from competitions. I also plan to help organize and conduct fundraisers over the next year or so to help those in need throughout the community,” he said.
Evans plans to graduate with his second associate degree from Blackhawk in May 2026. After graduation, he has his sights set on returning to Blackhawk in the fall to study education.