Alumni Network, Action-Based Learning, and DEI Efforts Lands Michigan Ross On Poets&Quants’ ‘10 Business Schools to Watch in 2021’ List
For the fourth time in five years, Poets&Quants has named the Ross School of Business one of the top “10 Business Schools to Watch” for being among the most innovative and newsworthy MBA programs of 2020.
P&Q’s list honors the business schools which it determines has the most momentum heading into 2021, and are setting a standard for peer programs to follow. In the article, P&Q called out the Ross alumni network, action-based learning programs, and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Responsive and engaged alumni network
The publication praised Michigan Ross’ vast and powerful alumni network: “When the going gets tough…you call in the alumni. And the Ross School alumni proved ready for the challenge.”
As some summer internships were canceled due to the pandemic, P&Q highlighted the role alumni played in helping Michigan Ross to quickly establish the Business Consultant Corps program, which provided summer work experience to over 120 MBAs and undergraduates through high-impact, action-based learning projects with sponsoring companies.
P&Q wrote, “Indeed, you could say that Ross alumni not only showed up but truly stepped up – and in ways that extended far beyond the majority of Business Consulting Corps projects that were driven by alumni.”
In addition, the publication pointed out that the Ross Career Development office saw a number of job postings proliferate as a result of alumni list more job postings.
Leaders in action-based learning
P&Q commended how quickly Michigan Ross was able to adapt its action-based learning programs due to the pandemic, such as MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects) that Full-Time MBA students tackle every spring.
P&Q wrote, “As COVID forced the world indoors and behind masks, Ross administration was able to salvage students’ chances to partner with top companies and gain experience in their chosen field respectively.”
This was an important feat for the business school, as the publication mentioned how “critical to a program like Ross, where one differentiating feature is a robust portfolio of action-based, interdisciplinary projects and programming.” Among the unique action-based learning programs at Ross included in the P&Q article were the +Impact Studio, Living Business Leadership Experience (LBLE) course, Leadership Crisis Challenge, and Story Lab.
Making strides in DEI work
Lastly, P&Q acknowledged the efforts that Michigan Ross is making in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school unveiled a commitment to action to foster greater social justice, which includes greater scholarship support and a DEI Curriculum Taskforce to identify areas to develop MBA programming. Over the summer, Ross also rolled out Allyship 101 - virtual workshops that provide a framework for students to thoughtfully engage, learn, practice, and plan what it means to actively pursue social justice on a daily basis.
Ross’ hands-on approach is amplified by a multidisciplinary approach – one that combines both the business school’s academic heft but also the larger university’s thought leadership. The result: it brings out the best in everyone.
