Thomas Godfrey, Class of 2014, Evening MBA Student
Email me trgodfre@umich.edu

Career Focus: Entrepreneurship & Strategy
 Undergrad: Kettering University; Mechanical Engineering
Graduate: Oakland University; Mechanical Engineering

 Junjia Hou, Class of 2013, Evening MBA Student
Email me junjia@umich.edu

Career Focus: Investment Banking
 Undergrad: Eastern Michigan University; Finance

 Alexis Jay, Class of 2012, Evening MBA Student
Email me alexisja@umich.edu

 Undergrad: Trent University; Chemistry & University of Waterloo; Chemical Engineering

The connections I have made with my classmates and the Ross faculty and staff are the highlight of my experience.  Everyone challenges you to step out of your comfort zone while providing a world class support system.  To complement my classroom education I participate in various student MBA organizations, case competitions and industry conferences.  All together, these elements have strengthened my business acumen and my ability to add value in any situation.

 Sanjeev Kapoor, Class of 2013, Evening MBA Student
Email me skkapoor@umich.edu

Career Focus: Strategy and Operations
 Undergrad: Punjab University, India; Mechanical Engineering

In order to make the positive difference that I aspire to, I need both a visionary understanding of principles and theories, and the experience of putting it into practice while overcoming difficulties. The Ross MBA program is uniquely enabling me to earn both. This is because of the top-tier faculty, students and alumni, and because of the emphasis on real-world practicality embodied in the action-based program. The Ross MBA program has been consistently recognized as one of the best in the world over many years. Working with fellow-students of a world-class caliber, I am learning the most, and I, myself, will change the most. I see a Ross MBA as a key stepping stone to bridge the gap between my technical excellence and my goal of management excellence, upon which I am building the necessary experiential skills that will enable me to realize my career goals.

 Gary Newbold, Class of 2014, Evening MBA Student
Email me gnewbold@umich.edu

Career Focus: Strategy, Consulting and General Management
 Undergrad: Oakland University; Electrical Engineering

 Daniel Rife, Class of 2014, Evening MBA Student
Email me drife@umich.edu

Career Focus: Entrepreneurship
 Undergrad & Grad: University of Michigan; Chemical Engineering

Robert Riley, Class of 2013, Evening MBA Student
Email me rmriley@umich.edu

Career Focus: Business Law and Finance
Undergrad: University of Michigan; Political Science & French
Graduate: Wayne State University Law School; Juris Doctor

Max Riso, Class of 2013, Evening MBA Student

Career Focus: Investment Banking
 Undergrad: University of Florida; Advertising/Business Administration

 Jeremy Vryhof, Class of 2015, Evening MBA Student
Email me jeremy.vryhof@stryker.com

Career Focus: Accounting and Organization Management
 Undergrad: Hillsdale College; Finance, German and International Business

 Brian Burstein, Class of 2009, Alumnus
Email me bburstei@umich.edu

Career Focus: Strategy, Finance and Organizational Management
 Undergrad: University of Michigan; Industrial Operations Engineering

 Iryna Shapavalava, Class of 2011, Alumnus
Email me ishapava@umich.edu

Career Focus: Corporate Finance & Strategy
 Undergrad: University of Wisconsin Madison; Finance, Investment Banking

After working in corporate finance for several years, I wanted to improve my management and leadership skills to take my career to a new level. Ross was a perfect fit for me because of its rigorous academics, action-based learning, collaborative environment, and exceptional reputation. Renowned faculty, diverse student body, and access to world-class resources at Ross provide plenty of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Students here are extremely bright, yet humble and always welcoming. With one of the largest alumni networks, Ross connects people from all over the world. Being at Ross was a transformational experience for me. The skills I learned here will serve as a foundation for my career and my life.

 Career Focus: General Management and Marketing
 Undergrad: Miami University; Mechanical Engineering

Graduate: USC; Medical Devices and Diagnostics Engineering

When I was looking at schools to pursue an MBA, I wanted a school that would not only provide a solid foundation of business knowledge but also an experience that included diverse thinking and build leadership skills while having a global focus.  Ross provides all of these; I am continually impressed how the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of students and professors create an educational environment that is challenging, interesting and applicable to my daily life.  The professors are passionate about what they teach and make it exciting to be in class on weekends.  I feel blessed to have the opportunity to obtain an MBA from a top program, interact with students from diverse backgrounds, and be a part of the Ann Arbor community while being able to balance my work and home life.

Michael King, Class of 2013, Weekend MBA Student, Muskegon, MI

Career Focus: General Management, Strategy, Sales and Marketing
Undergrad: Western Michigan University; Mechanical Engineering

Having spent my career in various sales & marketing positions, I was quickly approaching a point where an MBA would take my career to the next level. Not having a formal education in business challenged me to find a program that would not only have a rigorous academic schedule, but one where I could draw on the experience of my peers to enhance my learning of specific topics. Having the opportunity to immediately apply this knowledge both in my current job and through the MAP program was another deciding factor. The decision to come to Ross given these points was quite simple. I've found that the faculty and students here are world-class and the diversity of the cohort adds an element to the program that can't be quantified. Through this diversity and the action-based learning, you can shape your education here and make it what you want it to be. Another invaluable resource at Ross is the alumni network. You will be surprised at the conversations that spark up in random places all over the world...and what those conversations can lead to.

Career Focus: Marketing
 Undergrad: University of Connecticut; Economics and Finance

I came to Ross from my hometown in CT because no other program stressed action-based learning quite like Ross. Ross' approach to learning combined with the real world experience through MAP made it an easy choice over any other program. Furthermore, the flexibility with alternate weekends of class ensured that I would be able to maintain a career and raise a family while in the program. The people in the program are wonderful - some of the most intelligent yet humble people you'll ever come across. Ross has exceeded my highest expectations.

Joshua Kirk, Class of 2014, Weekend MBA Student, Detroit, MI

Career Focus: Finance and Strategy
 Undergrad: Bowling Green State University; Math Education

I chose the Ross Weekend MBA program because of its commitment to leadership development, active engagement, and its focus on collaboration.  Ross provides a number of avenues to grow as a leader: the Ross Leadership Initiative, the Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP), and the corporate sponsored case competitions.  I have learned so much from my classmates and I truly value the relationships that I have established inside and outside the classroom.  The most significant takeaway from the weekend program is that there are 80+ students who are juggling school, work, family… so we all support one another.  We have unique experiences and have diverse backgrounds, but we unite for a common goal: to learn, to grow, and to make a difference.  That’s what Ross is all about, “Leading in thought and action”.

Chris LaHurd, Class of 2014, Weekend MBA Student, Chicago, IL

Career Focus: Strategy and General Management
 Undergrad: University of Akron; Applied Mathematics

My bachelor’s degree has taught me how to dissect large problems, solve the individual pieces, and put the puzzle back together. I know that Ross can teach me how to further apply these problem-solving skills to real business problems. Ross’ scholarly and experiential approach and the superior quality of its faculty and students have helped me to see issues in and solutions to complex problems that I had not seen before. The faculty and student cohort have a unique way of leveraging their experiences to fuel debate, collaborate, and educate one another. Ross’ global brand, project based learning approach, and distinctive program structure bolstered my decision to join the Weekend MBA program.

Warren Reinisch, Class of 2014, Weekend MBA Student, Ontario, Canada

Career Focus: Strategy and General Management
 Undergrad: University of Manitoba; Economics and University of Windsor; Finance

Living in Canada, I’m often asked why I decided to pursue my MBA at Ross. I answer with four simple reasons. Structure:  the weekend program allows me to not only progress my career while I study, but also apply concepts I learn on the weekend to real-life opportunities throughout the week. Quality: The part-time program is taught by the same world class faculty in the same world class building with access to the same world class support as the full time program, no compromises. Leadership: The Ross MBA journey starts with the RLI and the strong emphasis on leadership continues throughout the entire program. Community: Going through a two year program with a cohort provides an incredible opportunity to develop relationships with a diverse group of highly motivated, intelligent, and engaging people.

Career Focus: Marketing Strategy
 Undergrad: University of California, LA; Psychology

Having grown up in Ann Arbor, with a family history of Michigan alumni, I was extremely familiar with the University of Michigan.  Initially, my search for a graduate program centered on Chicago, where I now live. However, after I visited the Ross campus and learned about the unique weekend program, I realized it was the perfect fit for my work and travel schedule. The Ross weekend program provides the opportunity to attend a business school with an exceptionally reputable full-time MBA program without having to give up my full-time job. So far I've been most impressed with the top notch faculty as well as the diversity of my classmates in both their educational backgrounds and work experiences. As classmates going through the rigorous demands of the weekend program and full-time work load, we've already established a unique bond that I know will last well into the future. In addition to the business concepts I can take back to the office the very next Monday, I'm excited to take advantage of networking with the diverse student weekend cohort as well as to be connected to one of the largest and most effective alumni networks.

Sonal Onkar, Class of 2013, Weekend MBA Student, Farmington Hills, MI

Career Focus: Marketing & General Management
 Undergrad: University of Pune, India, Mechanical Engineering

Graduate: University of Michigan Dearborn, Automotive Systems Engineering

Ross was a natural and only choice for me when I decided it was time for an MBA. I wanted to continue to make strides in my career while being able to develop my business intuition so I could apply it in my job. The Weekend MBA program gives me actionable principles to do just that and the opportunity to finish the MBA in 2 years like full time students. The thing that inspires me the most about my diverse cohort is that there is always someone who has a better idea, a different perspective or a new experience. The realization that you don’t know it all is when the real learning starts! This understanding forms the basis of your success as a leader and a team player. One of the benefits of going to a world class business school like Ross is that you are always in the company of success!

Career Focus: Strategy & Finance
 Undergrad: University of Detroit Mercy; Business Administration & Economics

After working in commercial banking and corporate finance for several years, I decided to pursue my MBA, but I was not ready to put my career on hold to do so.  Ross' Weekend MBA was the perfect solution.  It allowed me to leverage the benefits of studying at a top institution, including access to a diverse, accomplished student body and impressive alumni network, while continuing to pursue my career.  Throughout the program, I was impressed by the accessibility of the faculty and the breadth of resources that Ross offers.  Spending weekends in Ann Arbor was an added bonus!  Immediately upon graduation, I transitioned into a strategic finance role within my organization.  I am confident that having a Ross MBA helped me to land the job, but more importantly, the skills and knowledge that I developed through my studies at Ross will help me to succeed in this role and all that follow.

Career Focus: Management Consulting & Strategy
 Undergrad: Indiana University, Kelley School of Business; Computer Information Systems

As an alumnus of the Ross School of business, I can look back and confidently say that the Ross MBA exceptionally prepared me for my current role as a Consultant within Ernst & Young Advisory Services. Through the Ross collaborative knowledge-sharing environment, I was able to network with the right individuals and recruit with leading global companies to land my current position and gain the key skills necessary to succeed in a career in management consulting. Furthermore, the emphasis on strategic and global thought leadership in the Ross MBA curriculum has given me the tools to soar as a leader in my industry.

Career Focus: General Management, and Corporate Strategy
 Undergrad: University of Michigan; Chemical Engineering

Ross is consistently ranked as one of the top business schools in the country with top notch faculty.  I was impressed when I visited Ross prior to applying by its distinctive focus on building a collaborative environment amongst its students instead of a strictly competitive one. Teamwork is a fundamental building block of any successful organization.  The curriculum also focuses on applying what we learn to real world problems through its case approach and MAP course. What I liked most about the weekend MBA format:  I originally applied to the weekend MBA program for its convenient class time that fits well with working full-time and not living near campus while still experiencing a full MBA curriculum in a two year timeframe.  I was most impressed by the caliber of my classmates - their previous educational backgrounds and work experience.  We formed a strong bond since all of us were going through the same demanding MBA program while working and we saw each other every other weekend in class.