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Building Tomorrow’s Leaders: Oklahoma Business Week
By: Sunnie Dawn Baker
In early June, 35 high school students converged onto the East Central University campus to learn about business and entrepreneurship. This was the tenth time that the ECU School of Business hosted Oklahoma Business Week (OBW).
While Oklahoma Business Week exposes students to the world of business and entrepreneurship, it also offers opportunities that they might not otherwise have access to. Dr Stacey Bolin, Associate Professor and Director of the Wilburn L. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship, notes that this experience allows students to see what college life is like and helps them determine if business is something they might want to consider when they get older. Ashia Todd, the Startup Community Manager at Ada Jobs Foundation, volunteered for the second year in a row as a “Company Advisor,” working closely with a team to help guide and mentor them. For Todd, the most rewarding part is seeing the confidence that develops during the week. Todd says, “It is great getting to see these young people come out of their shells. They are always so shy the first day and by the trade show they are confidently talking to local business leaders to promote their product.” OBW transforms the lives of young people in Oklahoma, allowing them to see what the world of business is all about, while also helping them grow their confidence and leadership skills.
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