Career and Technical Student Organizations

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are student organizations connected and embedded into career technical education (CTE) programs. CTSOs bring students in the same programs together and supplement their learning, skills, and more.

Explore how AdvanceCTE advises school districts in Connecting CTSOs to the National Career Clusters Framework .

CTSOs in Massachusetts

• Business Professionals of America

  Business Professionals of America (BPA)'s mission is to develop and empower student leaders to discover their passion and change the world by creating unmatched opportunities in learning, professional growth and service. With opportunities in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Programming, Digital Communication and Design and more, BPA offers students the ability to learn, develop, and compete in various aspects of modern-day business at local and national levels. BPA strives to be an innovator in CTE, providing our members with opportunities for growth through education, competition, community service and personal development.

  Focus: Business Management, Information Technology, Communications and Design Careers.
  Massachusetts State Advisor: Makenzi Tiberii
  Email: mtiberii@mabpa.org
  Phone: (413) 822-1857

• DECA

  DECA's mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. DECA aims to develop academically prepared, community-oriented, and professional leaders through experiential learning, competition, and business-focused projects.

  Focus: Marketing, Finance, Hospitality and Management Careers
  Contact: Donna McFadden, Massachusetts State Advisor
  Email: dmcfadden@bhcc.edu
  Phone: (617) 228-2024

• Educators Rising

  Educators Rising's vision is to eliminate the teacher shortage by reimagining educator pathways. Its mission is to inspire and grow current and rising educators to become community leaders and advocates for high-quality education.

  Focus: Education Careers
  Contact: Starr Sackstein, Massachusetts State Coordinator
  Email: Ssackstein@educatorsrising.org
  Phone: (571) 814-5433

• National FFA Organization

  FFA's mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. Our mission is achieved through hands-on, classroom, and experiential learning. Through FFA membership, students are prepared for more than 300 agricultural careers in the food, fiber, and natural resource industries.

  Focus: Agriculture Careers
  Contact: Kimberly LaFleur, Massachusetts State Advisor
  Email: MassFFA@gmail.com
  Phone: (508) 737-8110

• Massachusetts Girls in Trades Student Leadership Council

  The Massachusetts Girls in Trades Student Leadership Council (MA GIT SLC) empowers young women, including transgender and non-binary students, in trades and engineering CTE programs to build leadership, confidence, and community while advancing fairness and opportunity in the trades. Our focus is supporting women pursuing careers in the union construction trades, while welcoming all who believe in equity and opportunity as allies.

  Focus: Trade Careers
  Contact: Jaylene DosSantos, Chair
  Email: mgitstudentleadershipcouncil@gmail.com

• HOSA-Future Health Professionals

  Massachusetts HOSA-Future Health Professionals (HOSA-FHP) develops a diverse and skilled pipeline of future health professionals through leadership, experiential learning, and community engagement to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the Commonwealth.

  Focus: Healthcare Careers
  Contact: Jaime Vallejos, Massachusetts State Advisor
  Email: jvallejos@worcester.edu
  Phone: 508-929-8542

• SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc.

  SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. is a proud champion of the skilled trades. Empowering students enrolled in CTE programs across 11 career clusters, to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders, and responsible community members. SkillsUSA develops personal, workplace, and technical skills through education, service, and career experiences for its members.

  Focus: Technical, Personal, and Workplace Skills across CTE Program Areas
  Contact: Karen Ward, Executive Director
  Email: kward@maskillsusa.org
  Phone: (508) 737-2474

**Disclosure Statement: Reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Our office is not responsible for and does not in any way guarantee the accuracy of information in other sites accessible through links herein. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education may supplement this list with other services and products that meet the specified criteria. For more information contact: ccte@mass.gov .

Last Updated: April 6, 2026