Embarking on a Journey of Excellence: Meet the Full-Time MBA Class of 2025

The Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 comes from a diverse array of industries, from consulting to education. Seventeen percent of the class is first-generation college students, 43% are international students, and 11% are pursuing a dual degree. The Class of 2025 is represented by 43% women, 43% people of color, 14% domestic students from a military background, and 10% students who identify as LGBTQIA2S+.

With their combined years of experience, education, and diversity of perspectives, the Class of 2025 is ready to take on business school as a team and make an impact on the Michigan Ross community – and the world.

Below, meet five members of the Class of 2025.

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Juli Adhikari

Hometown:
I was born in Nepal and moved to the United States when I was eight years old, so I consider both Kathmandu, Nepal, and Sacramento, CA, to be my hometowns!

Undergraduate school/major:
University of California, Berkeley, dual bachelor's degree in political science and gender studies

What is your post-graduation career interest?
I am interested in management consulting. I’d love to use the analytical skills I gained from my public policy background to solve business challenges faced by firms of all shapes and sizes.

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Ross?
I chose Michigan Ross because the Ross mission of “building a better world through business” really aligned with my personal mission of building a better economic system through local business development. I really do think being a part of the Ross community will shape me to be a leader who is not only strategic but also inclusive and compassionate.

What has been your first impression of Ross?
I’ve been impressed by how the Michigan Ross community actualizes the “pay it forward” mentality that I’ve heard so much about. Students, faculty, and alumni have gone above and beyond to talk to me about their Ross experience, provide guidance, and generally welcome me into the community.

What are you most looking forward to doing during your time here at Michigan Ross?
I’m looking forward to joining the Social Venture Fund, Community Consulting Club, and various affinity groups. I’m also excited to support my classmates' personal development as we all go through this once-in-a-lifetime experience together.

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Kobi Johnson

Hometown:
This is always a tough question for me. I was born and raised in White Plains, NY, until I was eight, and then I moved to the suburbs of Chicago, IL, for the rest of my childhood. But I was deemed the “New Yorker” in my third-grade class and honestly still feel like a New Yorker (I root for all NY sports teams).

Undergraduate school/major:
Duke University, bachelor’s degree in economics

What is your post-graduation career interest?
I am quite open-minded at the moment. I come from a finance background, and I would like to use the MBA experience to explore my interests in other business areas. Consulting feels like a natural pivot, but I believe a leadership development program at the right company could be exactly what I’m looking for. Stay tuned!

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Ross?
An MBA was always in the cards for me. Beyond the opportunity to explore different career paths, the MBA experience of meeting classmates from all different walks of life is something I could not pass up.

I firmly believe the Michigan Ross Full-Time MBA Program has the best blend of academics, campus life, and sports culture in the United States. The focus at Michigan Ross on developing leaders through their action-based learning is also something that differentiated the school for me.

What has been your first impression of Ross?
The students at Ross are so hungry and tenacious. From the first moment I stepped on campus for Go Blue Rendezvous, I was taken aback by the passion each student had for the business school and for the success of their classmates across all industries. Second-year MBAs have been so helpful, and I think it is a testament to the type of people who choose to come to U-M.

What are you most looking forward to doing during your time here at Michigan Ross?
Meeting people! Above everything else, the relationships I hope to develop while I’m in Ann Arbor are what I look forward to most. Every alum I’ve spoken to has had only wonderful things to say about their time at Michigan Ross, and I have no doubt I will be telling the same things to future prospects.

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Carrie Albers

Hometown:

Smolan, KS, but I've spent the last five years in Kansas City, MO.

Undergraduate school/major:
University of Kansas, bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering

What is your post-graduation career interest?
I'm currently exploring a few options while at Ross, but I am most interested in pursuing product management or roles in finance.

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Ross?
I wanted an MBA to help me make a career pivot from consulting, gain leadership skills, and acquire the broad business education that I was missing. Throughout the application process, I had a few key factors I was looking for, but Ross became the easy choice for me after considering the culture, geography, alumni network, depth and breadth of career outcomes, and the focus on experiential learning with Multidisciplinary Action Projects.

What has been your first impression of Ross?
The culture is real! Ross is known for being a collaborative, supportive community, and after my first few weeks, I truly believe that. Everybody has been welcoming and eager to help and answer any question imaginable. I have connected with students across the program and attended dozens of events, and the culture is consistent across everything that I have experienced and has far exceeded any expectations that I had!

What are you most looking forward to doing during your time here at Michigan Ross?
I'm really looking forward to exploring Ann Arbor and Michigan. I had never been to Michigan before moving here, so everything is new. I'm also looking forward to exploring my interests and passions. In just the first few weeks, I've learned about the literal endless opportunities to pursue at Ross, and I'm so excited to be somewhere that encourages and enables me to try out so many new things. Finally, just being in the Ross community and learning from all my classmates and faculty. There are truly amazing people from across the world with the most diverse experiences. This environment is something I know I can't replicate anywhere else.

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Zach Perkins

Hometown:

Alameda, CA

Undergraduate school/major:
United States Air Force Academy, bachelor’s degree in management

What is your post-graduation career interest?
Consulting/healthcare services

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Ross?
After over eight years in both the Air Force and Space Force, it’s my goal to transition out of the military and equip myself with the tools to bring positive change to the healthcare industry. The MBA program at Ross was an easy choice as its healthcare management concentration stands out amongst other programs' abilities to prepare and place MBA candidates into my desired industry. Additionally, I’ve always learned more by doing, and the action-based learning approach taken at Ross closely aligns with my preferred learning style. Learning by doing, under the guidance of the world-class faculty at Ross, will help me cultivate a multidisciplinary skill set, allowing me to thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.

What has been your first impression of Ross?
We win together. I’ve met many classmates through events like Go Blue Rendezvous, the Ross Bus, and orientation. From what I have seen, those who choose to attend Ross showcase a great balance between competitiveness and a team-oriented mentality. The combination makes for an incredibly motivational environment where classmates seek to positively impact each other through the knowledge they have gained from their diverse backgrounds and experiences. The energy at Ross is infectious, and everybody I have met truly wants to see their teammates succeed.

What are you most looking forward to doing during your time here at Michigan Ross?
Experiencing variety! I was incredibly fortunate to serve in the Air Force and our nation’s
newest service, the Space Force. The lessons I learned through my service were invaluable, and now I hope to leverage my background as a veteran to influence the Ross community positively. However, I’m most excited to engage and learn from the varied experiences of my peers and the Ross faculty. The diversity at Ross in student clubs, MAP project opportunities, and everything the larger University of Michigan has to offer will allow me to gain experiences different from those I gained in the military and prepare me to lead diverse teams in the ever-dynamic business world.

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Gaku Murakami

Hometown:
Tokyo, Japan

Undergraduate school/major:
Kyoto University, bachelor’s degree in sociology

What is your post-graduation career interest?
Having engaged in roles as a strategy consultant, an investor, and in corporate finance, I’ve gained analytical and financial skills. Now, I am open to any opportunity where I can utilize and contribute these skills.

Why are you pursuing your MBA, and what made you choose Ross?
My desire for international exposure and deeper financial expertise drove me to pursue an MBA. Ross stands out as an ideal environment to achieve these goals. The Fast Track in Finance will accelerate my financial education while helping me engage in student-run funds, and MAP will offer practical insights. I believe the collaborative culture at Ross is encouraging for international students. While we may not be well-acquainted with various aspects of life in the United States, fellow students and faculty members consistently offer invaluable support.

What has been your first impression of Ross?
Collaborative and supportive. Soon after I was admitted to Michigan Ross, fellow students helped me adapt to the new environment of Ann Arbor. Their assistance greatly facilitated my transition. I also reached out to second-year MBA students to learn more about their recruiting experiences this summer, and they generously shared their valuable insights, even though they were busy with their internships. My experiences before school began solidified my confidence in the Ross collaborative culture.

What are you most looking forward to doing during your time here at Michigan Ross?
I look forward to building friendships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and industries through activities like recruiting, MAP, and attending sports events. While the recruiting process will be challenging, it will also present opportunities for mutual support. The unique MAP project at Ross will give me the opportunity to tackle something together with my classmates. Additionally, sharing the experience of watching football games will be an incredible moment.