The Albers Summer Business Institute (SBI) at Seattle University is a credit-bearing, project-based summer business camp for high school students focused on social entrepreneurship.
The program provides youth from African-American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Hmong American, and Nepalese American heritages the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, data visualization, economics, and more. Thanks to the support of our gracious sponsors, the two-week-long program is free to apply, has a $50 registration deposit, and operates on an equitable tiered scholarship support model for program tuition.
Do you have a high school student (currently in grade 9, 10, or 11) interested in entrepreneurship? Are they interested in experiencing college-level business, marketing, and economics classes? SBI is a great way for them to sample the instruction, interactions, and opportunities that business school offers.
For 20 years, the Summer Business Institute has given rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors a rare sneak peek of life at business school. For one week, they get to experience:
Upon completion of the program, participants receive three college credits.
Past participants of SBI have been overwhelmingly positive about their experience. Out of students surveyed about the 2020 program:
A number of SBI alumni have not only gone on to college but were also inspired to start their own business ventures. The program opened their eyes to the possibilities offered by the business school and gave them the confidence to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.
$50 program fee for qualified students
3 college credits upon completion
Lectures, team projects, networking
9th through 11th grade students from African-American , Latin/Hispanic, Native American Indigenous, and Pacific Islander heritages.
Your experience with Seattle University is about more than your time with us during the summer. It is about creating opportunities for success towards your post-secondary goals. We will provide you with digital resources and support in college planning, career development, and financial literacy after you successfully complete your time with the Albers Summer Business Institute.
Viola Sloniker-Tabares was a participant in the 2017 Summer Business Institute. She is now attending the University of Washington and recently opened her own jewelry and accessories shop on Depop.
How she learned about SBI: "My mom told me about SBI and said it would be a great idea to attend."
Why it intrigued her: "I had no idea what major I wanted going into senior year."
What she felt when she started the program: "I was a bit nervous because I didn't know anybody and didn't know anything about business."
What she enjoyed the most: "The group work where we had to come up with a business idea and present it to everyone. My group came up with the idea of a mobile van that did hair. We all dressed up for the presentation. I was super proud."
What she got out of SBI: "I got a glimpse of business school at a relaxed level. And I wouldn't have been as confident about college if I hadn't gone."
