A Michigan Ross MBA: Childhood Dreams Becoming Reality
My grandfather – my Opa – was my biggest inspiration as a child, I wanted to be just like him.
In his youth, he survived three years in the Theresienstadt Concentration Camp. Following his liberation, he came to the United States and earned his PhD in geography. When I was growing up, my Opa often spoke about the power of learning – that knowledge can never be taken away from you, a view that was shaped during his time at Theresienstadt. Consequently, I decided that I would also pursue a PhD to advance my knowledge and that of others.
Thus, I began my journey of pursuing a PhD and an academic career by enrolling in the MBA Program at the Ross School of Business. I received a full scholarship, which I believe was my Opa’s way of saying, “You’re on the right track.” I pursued my MBA at Michigan Ross because it gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in research and the world of academia.
While at Michigan, I conducted three independent studies under the guidance and mentorship of Dr. John Branch, two of which were accepted for presentation at leading marketing conferences. In November 2024, I presented my paper, “Gruen Redux: Exploring the Concept of Membership in Marketing”, at the Society for Marketing Advances Conference, and in April 2025, I will present my paper, “Exploring Luxury Brand Extensions: Consumer Perceptions and Evaluations in the Makeup Product Category”, at the Monaco Symposium on Luxury.
In early February, I received word that I had been accepted into three marketing PhD programs, two of which with a full scholarship and stipend. This acceptance represents my childhood dreams coming true, and none of it would have been possible without my time here at Michigan Ross.
The opportunities that Ross provided for me were threefold. First, I had access to world-class faculty, such as Dr. John Branch and Dr. Marcus Collins, who were eager and passionate about mentoring me and creating opportunities for me to gain research experience. Second, the flexibility in tailoring my learning experience through independent studies empowered me to gain expertise in the areas of my specific interests. Third, the Michigan Ross MBA community endlessly supported me, encouraged me, and cheered me on through some of the most personally and academically difficult times.
My classmates, who became family, spent countless hours with me in the Law Library, studying with me and keeping me company. They wrote me supportive and encouraging notes when I was struggling with my mental health and managing my stress. They cheered me on with every PhD application and conference paper I submitted, and they celebrated my acceptance to a PhD program in the most special way possible. This is the experience you will have with your classmates, who will become family here at Michigan Ross.
Beginning my journey at Michigan as an MBA student more interested in business research than business management was certainly a unique experience, but I would not be here, as an incoming PhD student, without the guidance and mentorship of the Michigan faculty, the flexibility in tailoring my learning experiences, and the support of my classmates.
Now, as each day brings me closer to graduation, I realize that as a tween, reading books on World War II history, just like my Opa did, and independently writing papers on my findings very well was the start of my academic career.
