A unique summer experience for students seeking a challenging and fast-paced business boot-camp experience. Live the life of an entrepreneur (or an entrepreneurial thinker) this summer with Susquehanna’s Sigmund Weis School of Business. The Entrepreneurship Institute provides high school students like you with an exclusive leadership opportunity to better prepare you for future success, whether you want to start a business or be more entrepreneurial in your life.
Working in a simulated entrepreneurial setting, you and your teammates will develop an idea to solve a problem, investigate the feasibility as a business, identify competitors, develop a website and prototype and compete for a cash prize! During this exciting and challenging week, you will acquire leadership and team-building skills, develop new friendships and learn valuable lessons from the experts.
And because you will live with Susquehanna business majors in residence halls, you will hear firsthand what it’s like to go to the Sigmund Weis School of Business, a world-class undergraduate business school.
Students entering grades 9–12 are invited to register.
The 2024 Summer Pre-College Program information and registration will be available soon. See below for a sampling of program highlights, information to know and instructors.
Highlights
Work with real entrepreneurs and expert professors to develop entrepreneurial skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.
Explore your business idea with new friends and developing the skills to bring a business to life.
Visit local businesses, including a family-owned amusement park.
Participate in a power dining and etiquette exercise to improve your networking and communication skills.
Conduct formal end-of-session presentations to win cash prizes, sponsored by Wagner, Dreese, Elsasser & Associates, P.C.
Sample schedule
8–8:45 a.m. — Breakfast
9–10 a.m. — Introduction to idea generation
10–10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15–11:30 a.m. — How to solve problems that can be turned into businesses
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. — Lunch
1–3 p.m. — Visit local business
3–4 p.m. — How to build a 60-minute website
4–5:15 p.m. — Working in teams with your mentor
6–7:30 p.m. — Power dining and etiquette experience
8–9:30 p.m. — Talent show/outdoor movie on the lawn/ice cream social
10 p.m. — Group meeting
Midnight — Lights out
Check-In at SU
Sunday, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Degenstein Campus Center, Mellon Lounge
Things to Bring
Toiletry Items
Pillow
Blanket (if desired) Linens, including sheets, a pillowcase, a thin blanket and towels will be provided.
Snacks, drinks (if desired) There is access to a small kitchenette with mini fridge, sink and microwave.
Blanket or beach towel to sit on for outdoor movie night
Casual clothing for classes and most scheduled events
Business casual outfit(s) for professional dining experience and for presentations on Saturday morning
Swimwear If you plan to participate in the pool or water rides at Knoebels, please bring a swimsuit and/or shorts without zippers, buttons and snaps on the outside. Mesh basketball shorts or swimming trunks would be a perfect choice.
Tennis rackets, frisbees, etc. (if you enjoy playing)
Writing folder/tablet, pens, pencils
Alarm clock
Spending money (for bookstore, evening snacks, if desired)
Health Services
While there aren’t any campus health center services available for the Summer Pre-College Programs participants, program staff will have first aid kits for minor scrapes and scratches.
Should a program participant need any emergency attention, local hospitals, Med Express and Care Centers are readily available. Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately to discuss options and insurance arrangements.
The Medical Form is a crucial part of any medical or emergency procedure and must be returned before the start of the program for the student to be considered fully registered.
Cars on Campus
If a student drives to campus for any of the Summer Pre-College Programs, the Event Management Office will hold the keys to the vehicle from Sunday afternoon to the following Saturday morning.
Leaving Campus
Program participants are not permitted to leave campus unless the activity is part of the program’s schedule, and they are accompanied by student counselors or program directors.
Violation of this or any other regulation established by the “Principles of Student Conduct” will forfeit a student’s participation in the program.
Cell Phones (please note)
Students may have access to their cell phonesexcept forthe following times: classroom and instruction sessions and guest speaker presentations, at which time cell phones must be put in silent mode or turned off. If you must reach your student during these times, please contact the Event Management Office at 570-372-4354.
Mail
Families can send mail to participants at the following address:
Event Management Office LIFE Susquehanna University 514 University Ave. Selinsgrove, PA 17870
Phone Numbers
To reach students on campus, please call:
Event Management Office 570-372-4354 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.
University’s Main Switchboard 570-374-0101 (ask for the Event Management Office) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Susquehanna University Campus Safety 570-372-4444 or 4428 (anytime)
The Final Day (Saturday)
Breakfast with University Faculty and Personnel; Culminating Group or Individual Presentations; and Check-Out
Breakfast, hosted by the faculty of the sponsoring academic department, will be 8:30–9:30 a.m. for participants and their family members.
Program participants will present their final presentation on Saturday, 10–11:30 a.m. Presentation Room: Apfelbaum Hall 319
Parents/family members are encouraged to participate in both events onSaturday morning and should make reservations for breakfast by indicating how many guests will attend on the registration form.
Directions to the breakfast and presentation areas will be available when at check-in onSunday afternoon. Breakfast will be in the same building as the check-in. A representative will be available at breakfast to usher you to the meeting space for the presentation.
Students will check out from their roomsimmediately after thepresentation onSaturday and must return rooms keys and meal tags at that time.
Event Management staff will be available at the residence halls to facilitate check-out and collect keys, meal fobs, etc.
Available Schedules
Parents and students will receive a copy of the program’s week-long schedule during check-in.
As of March 31, 2022, Susquehanna University strongly recommends its overnight guests be up-to-date with the COVID-19 vaccination by the time they arrive on campus.
Susquehannastrongly recommendsSummer Pre-College Program participants to test for COVID-19 within 72 hours ofarrival to campus.Participants must follow masking protocols that may be in effect at the time of the camp.
If you have questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination recommendation, email Michelle Harman at summerprograms@susqu.edu or call 570-372-4451.
*Participant safety is our highest priority. Susquehanna University reserves the right to cancel Summer Pre-College Programs, if necessary, in order to comply with local, state and federal guidelines and recommendations and reserves the right to change course based on circumstances.
The $875 comprehensive fee includes room, meals and all program materials.
Must register by June 12.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available based on financial need and academic performance. No full-tuition scholarships are available.
A letter from your guidance counselor, indicating your eligibility for free/reduced lunch or other measure(s) of financial need, is required for scholarship consideration.
Deadlines
All registrations must be submitted no later than June 12.
All supporting documentation must be received prior to your arrival on campus.
Susquehanna University reserves the right to cancel any Summer Pre-College Program. If Susquehanna University cancels the program you are registered for, you will receive a full refund.
Cancellations made at least 10 days prior to the start of the program will be refunded in full.
Refunds will not be provided for cancellations received fewer than 10 days prior to the program.
Early departures for reasons including but not limited to homesickness, parental request and failure to follow the program’s principles of conduct are not eligible for refund.
Refund requests may be submitted for early departures due to unforeseeable circumstances such as death in the immediate family or serious illness. Refunds will be reviewed and granted on a case-by-case basis.
Co-Directors:
Emma Fleck, associate professor of entrepreneurship
Lauren Smith’13, entrepreneur and visiting assistant professor of marketing and management
“The LIFE program helped me gain insightful knowledge of entrepreneurship and business management. As a business major at Susquehanna University, I feel LIFE has given me a clear advantage over other students. My LIFE program experience and view of the business program were the largest influential factors affecting my decision to study here.” —Jim Weyent
“The LIFE program was such an amazing experience that I could have stayed for another two weeks at least. Thanks again!”—Rob Langtry
“Thank you for giving our son Zachary the memory and experience of a lifetime.” —Marc and Jacqui Litif
“I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to take part in this wonderful experience… I hope that future young entrepreneurs will get the same chance that I did to shine.” —Brenton Wanner
“It was one of the best experiences of my life.” —Kevin T. Weyant
“Thank you for the wonderful time I had at the Leadership Institute for Entrepreneurship program.” —Paul Anderson
“Many students tell me LIFE was ‘the best week of my life.’ I think the key to such a wonderful experience is the combination of real-life, successful entrepreneurs, lifelong educators and college-age program assistants who are all passionate about seeing each and every student have a fun-filled educational week with us.“ —Tom Houck, parent of former LIFE students and former entrepreneur-in-residence
