Capitol News

The Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp, established in 2022 by Michigan State University's Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Multicultural Business Programs (MBP), offers young entrepreneurs an immersive experience at the Broad College of Business. The camp is scheduled for June 24 to 27, 2024, with registration open through April.

Ken Szymusiak, managing director of academic programs for the Burgess Institute, stated, "We wanted to design a camp that empowers young people to take action and create new ventures and ideas that have an impact on the state of Michigan and beyond." Marquis Taylor, program coordinator for MBP, added, "We want to make MSU more accessible to these untapped communities in our own state."

The camp targets rising high school sophomores and juniors and is free of charge. It emphasizes access and inclusion in its programming. Taylor explained, "We have made a conscious effort to reach out and connect with entrepreneurs and business leaders from various backgrounds and identities."

Participants engage in workshops on topics such as marketing strategies, financial planning, supply chain management, and networking. Szymusiak noted the importance of teaching content with immediate applicability while fostering innovative mindsets. Desiree Melfi Bozzo from the Burgess Institute highlighted that students learn creative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Alumni involvement plays a crucial role in the camp's success. Last year featured speakers like Lauren Aitch-Guerrant, Tamira Chapman, Joshua Southern, Todd Duckett, Ben Rathbun, and Tyrell Slappey. Taylor emphasized alumni participation: "Alumni involvement in the camp is imperative because we want students to understand where an MSU degree and education can take them."

Chapman Family Foundation has committed as Presenting Sponsor for three years after Tamira Chapman was impressed by her experience as a keynote speaker. Chapman said her family aims "to empower youth" through initiatives like this camp.

Anjali Issac participated in the inaugural year of the camp before enrolling at MSU as a supply chain management major. She remarked that the camp solidified her decision to apply to MSU: "The entrepreneurship camp helped me build confidence in myself as a future business professional."

With applications doubling from its first year to its second year, expectations are high for continued growth. The program will expand by an additional day this year.

More information about the Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp can be found on MBP's webpage.