Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University part-time lecturer Elizabeth Sikkenga has been mentoring students at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility through an entrepreneurship club. Her involvement with the club has provided her with a deeper understanding of the U.S. justice system and strengthened her commitment to empowering women through entrepreneurial education.

"Entrepreneurship is about creating opportunities and learning how to adapt under different circumstances," said Sikkenga. "The students in the club are very resourceful, engaged, and are used to making the most out of anything, so they’re a natural fit for entrepreneurship."

Sikkenga joined the Businesses of Successful Students (BOSS) club as a faculty advisor in spring 2024. The club was initiated by students at Women’s Huron Valley and is part of EMU's College in Prison program. This program offers students a chance to earn college credits while preparing them for reintegration into society.

The BOSS club focuses on teaching critical business skills such as networking, creating mission statements, presentation skills, and business development. Meetings are held on the first and third Saturday of each month, led by the club president and vice president. The aim is to equip students with confidence and knowledge for starting their ventures post-release.

"The purpose of the BOSS club is to provide students with the space and resources to create an individualized master plan to execute personal business endeavors,” said Cara Moore, club president. “I motivate all members to visualize themselves as a business owner, and I challenge them to piece together the puzzle to make that visualization a reality."

Elizabeth Sikkenga has been teaching an Intro to Entrepreneurship course at EMU since 2010. She also ran Crisp Marketing from 2008 to 2019, assisting small businesses and nonprofits with marketing strategies. She holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan.

"The creation and continued presence of this club further illustrates EMU's commitment to providing the facility’s student body an equitable educational experience in a supportive environment," said Ashleigh Smith, club vice president. "Those of us that participate are thankful for the effort, especially that of our advisor, Elizabeth Sikkenga."

Founded in 1849, Eastern Michigan University serves nearly 13,000 students across various disciplines including arts, sciences, business, education, engineering and technology. It is recognized nationally for its excellence and diversity.