The University of Baltimore's Sheik Md Akij, an MBA student and the driving force behind the regional media platform Potomac24, has been recognized nationally as a recipient of the Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society's $1,000 Founder's Scholarship. Akij was selected as one of just eight awardees nationwide for the 2025 honor, which distinguishes outstanding collegiate entrepreneurs showing initiative, leadership, and community service.
The award recognizes Akij's deep engagement within UBalt’s entrepreneurial community. As a graduate assistant at the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), he earned the scholarship with the strong endorsement of his faculty advisor, Dr. Sanwar Sunny. His professional trajectory and strategic thinking were further shaped through the mentorship of Henry Mortimer, the CEI Director.
Akij's entrepreneurial impact extends through two active ventures. Beyond the media platform Potomac24, he leads IKON BD, a growing community marketplace dedicated to promoting ethical sourcing and inclusive access to goods. Both ventures have been refined and strengthened within the collaborative environment fostered by the CEI ecosystem at UBalt.
This scholarship adds to an impressive portfolio of academic and leadership distinctions. Akij is not only a lifetime member of Sigma Nu Tau, the honor society bestowing the award, but he also holds memberships in several other prestigious societies, including Beta Gamma Sigma (International Business Honor Society), Mu Kappa Tau (National Marketing Honor Society), and Omicron Delta Kappa (National Leadership Honor Society). Further underscoring his leadership potential, he is an Albrecht Fellow, taking part in a highly selective program that provides immersive global exposure to business and international policy.
“This honor reinforces my belief that entrepreneurship is about creating impact, not just profit,” Akij said. “I’m grateful to UBalt and the CEI community for giving me the tools and mentorship to turn ideas into action.”
On campus, Akij serves as the founder and president of the Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club), where he spearheads initiatives designed to support student founders and enhance entrepreneurial engagement across the university. The criteria for the Sigma Nu Tau Founder's Scholarship—entrepreneurial initiative, campus leadership, and community service—directly reflect the multifaceted leadership Akij demonstrates.
Sigma Nu Tau founder Dr. Nancy J. Church praised the exceptional talent reflected in this year's applicant pool. Akij and the seven other national recipients, who represent institutions including Pennsylvania State University, Clark University, and Morgan State University, were selected after a rigorous review process conducted by a distinguished national judging panel.
This is the second time in so many years that a CEI graduate assistant received the Sigma Nu Tau Founder’s Scholarship. Last year UBalt graduate student Olivia Springer earned the same accolade.
Akij has also been awarded the 2025 Mu Kappa Tau Scholarship (National Marketing Honor Society). Sponsored by logistics giant UPS, the $750 award recognizes his academic excellence, leadership potential, and dedication to marketing. Read the article from June 2025.
