Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)

A core philosophy at The University of Akron is a principle of total student immersion. We want students to live and breathe the entrepreneurial experience. Students can gain invaluable experience by getting involved in our Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Chapter. Our unique Entrepreneurship Education Consortium’s Immersion Week, Kauffman Entrepreneurial Internship Program provides students with an opportunity to work and make a difference in an entrepreneurial firm. The Business Plan Competition also gives students an ability to earn a practical “experiential” education. Scholarships and our annual Entrepreneurship Awards are great motivators for our students.

SIFE is funded by a grant from the J. M. Smucker Company and Country Pure Foods. It is student run and is open to all students at the University. SIFE is one of the most popular student organizations on campus. Members are given opportunities that are not found elsewhere in the university and even the country. Each year, the organization gets better and better, as we are able to take on more endeavors. SIFE reaches out to the community with the goal of making it a better place to live. To accomplish this, the chapter works on a variety of projects related to entrepreneurship, economics, international business, and ethics.

There are many ways to get involved with SIFE. Whether you would like to start a business, make some money, hear some amazing speakers, boost your resume, or get to experience something like a real-life Apprentice, SIFE has it all. Participating in SIFE is also an excellent way to network and make life-long friendships with dynamic people from all over the University. In the process of doing this, you learn all about free enterprise, entrepreneurship, financial management and international skills, and ethics.

Whether you are an art student, engineer, architect, business person or something else, SIFE can be fun and beneficial for everyone. Don’t hesitate to drop by and check it out. For more information, please contact Dr. Debbie Owens, Associate Professor of Marketing at deb@uakron.edu at 330-972-8079.