EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Eastern Michigan University part-time lecturer Elizabeth Sikkenga believed she had a solid understanding of the U.S. justice system. That was until she began working with the entrepreneurship club at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Her involvement has deepened her understanding of the system and fueled her passion for 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 club, also known as BOSS, launched by the Women’s Huron Valley students as a faculty advisor at the facility in the spring of 2024. Sikkenga’s efforts are part of EMU's College in Prison program, which partners with the facility to offer students the chance to earn college credits and work toward a degree while in the facility. Beyond education, the program prepares women for reintegration into society, providing tools to help them thrive post-release.

The club aims to teach the students critical business skills such as networking, creating mission statements, presentation skills, and business development. The club president and vice president set the agendas, meeting on each month's first and third Saturday. The goal is to equip students with the confidence and knowledge to start their ventures upon reentry into society. 

"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 club president Cara Moore. “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." 

Sikkenga has been teaching an Intro to Entrepreneurship course at EMU since 2010. On top of being a part-time lecturer there, she ran her own business called Crisp Marketing from 2008 to 2019, where they helped develop marketing and business strategies for other small businesses and nonprofits. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a master's in business administration.

"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 club vice president Ashleigh Smith. "Those of us that participate are thankful for the effort, especially that of our advisor, Elizabeth Sikkenga."

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, EMU is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves nearly 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.