Last month, MBA student Treazure Owens was accepted into Purdue University’s Focus Forward Fellowship, a competitive national mentoring program for women student veterans which focuses on individual strengths, strengths-based leadership, communication styles, professional networking, narrative storytelling, and reaching peak academic and professional goals.
“Being in a position like this — young, veteran, woman, student, Black and first generation from a low-income background, striving for a master’s degree — it can feel isolating and rare, but I’m sure there are others out there who can relate,” Owens said.
Owens is honored to have served our country and recognizes that, for many of our fellow Americans, military service is a powerful steppingstone toward social and economic mobility.
“I think being in a program like this, that connects me with peers who understand my experience, will motivate and encourage me to keep pushing forward,” she said.
Owens’ cohort in the Focus Forward Fellowship, which begins this summer, will support her as she finishes her MBA and begins the journey toward earning a doctorate — a first in her family. She is currently enrolled in NIU’s One-Year Chicago MBA program.
From an early age, Owens was focused on learning. She saw self-improvement as the doorway out of poverty and into an opportunity to pursue her creative passions.
“I grew up in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago in low-income housing,” Owens said. “I joined as many extracurricular activities and school clubs as I could, focusing on areas where I felt I needed improvement but knew would benefit my future career.”
She spent time learning public speaking and analytical thinking on her school’s debate team and often read the dictionary for fun.
“I was drawn to anything that allowed me to be creative. At the time, I dreamed of becoming an actor, a homicide detective, a dentist or joining the Air Force after college. Military service came sooner than expected as I joined after high school, and instead of the Air Force, I joined the U.S. Army. Fortunately, my job as an intelligence analyst allowed me to develop and showcase my analytical skills,” she said.
Owens earned her undergraduate degree in intelligence studies from Fayetteville State University, an HBCU in Fayetteville, North Carolina, after transitioning from active duty to North Carolina National Guard service.
“I thought I’d go work for a three-letter agency like the FBI, CIA or DIA, but I eventually realized I value openness too much for a role that requires that level of privacy. Plus, I’d go mad if I had to work in a place without windows every day for the rest of my life. I require sunlight,” Owens said.
Today, Owens works as a marketing and communications consultant for her company, Treazure Marketing. She also works for her passion project, The Black Vetrepreneurs Network, a platform dedicated to empowering, elevating and connecting Black veteran entrepreneurs by bridging knowledge, opportunity and economic growth. Through this work, Owens is able to express her creativity and bring her early interests full circle.
She sought out NIU’s One-Year Chicago MBA program to strengthen her entrepreneurship.
“Keeping the mindset I’ve always had, once I see a weakness in myself, I make it a point to strengthen it right away,” Owens said. “I believe my purpose in life is to provide strategic support to change agents driving impact in disadvantaged communities, whether through their own ventures (products, services and programs) or by contributing to the efforts of others through volunteering, sponsoring or partnering.”
She noted that what delighted her most about the NIU MBA program was the curriculum.
“I was surprised to see that we were using Harvard Business School coursework, which means we’re getting an Ivy League education at a fraction of the price!” she said.
Owens’ passion lies with veterans, individuals impacted by the criminal justice system and youth.
“With the skills, resources and network I’m gaining from NIU, I hope to continue building the Black Veterans Expo, which was nominated for the Chicago Innovation Awards,” Owens said. “The event connects, educates and celebrates Black veteran business owners and job seekers with opportunities and their allies, offering resources they need. I also aim to keep amplifying impact for my clients by developing strategic campaigns that prioritize value, content and community — three elements often missing in failed marketing efforts.”
