Ten Trailblazing Michigan Ross MBAs Selected for Ross Community Impact Scholarships

The Community Impact Scholarship is one of many scholarship opportunities that help MBA students fund their education at the Ross School of Business. The award, which provides up to $10,000 in funding, is given to select students in their second year of the MBA program based on their contributions to the wider community. Recipients this year held leadership positions across numerous clubs and organizations and spearheaded initiatives from the ClimateCAP Summit to UpClose Diversity Weekend.

This year's scholarship winners were: Brysan Porterfield, MBA ’25; Harsh Joshi, MBA ’25; Mackenzie Mock, MBA/MS ’24; Harshita Sinha, MBA ’25; Shivali Rao, MBA ’25; Vraj Mehta, MBA/MEng ’25; Grant Potts, MBA ’25; Andres Tineo-Paz, MBA ’25; Manisha Vupputuri, MBA ’25; and Yashvi Patel, MBA ’25.

Below, hear from seven of the 10 Michigan Ross Community Impact Scholarship recipients as they discuss what this scholarship means to them, their thoughts on leadership, and the impact they’ve had on their programs and community.

Mackenzie Mock, MBA/MS ’24

Hometown
Boulder, Colorado

What is your post-graduation career goal?
Post-graduation, I want to advance the fashion industry toward more responsible aims by leading sustainability initiatives (social and environmental) at a global retail brand. I include both social and environmental lenses in my focus on sustainability in recognition of the immense people and planetary input involved in the global apparel value chain, the vehicle that brings us the clothing we wear every day.

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?
The Michigan Ross Community Impact Scholarship crystalizes the intent I set out to achieve at Ross: to make the definition of impact that I hold a reality. The scholarship is a cherry on top of the time and energy shared with section leadership, club leadership, and campus-wide sustainability leadership opportunities. I’m humbled to receive this scholarship and the opportunity it brings to further the work I laid out in my first year at Ross.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?
My leadership skills have really flourished outside of the classroom through various programming in and outside of Ross, including the Sanger Leadership Crisis Challenge, Dow Sustainability Fellowship, and re-starting the Retail and Luxury Goods Club at Ross. These learning experiences have led me to want to pursue leadership opportunities as a career path at fashion and retail companies.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?
First and foremost, I want to bring more attention to the many definitions that the word “impact” has depending on context and perspective. In business and society, and in both my professional and personal life, I intend to dig deeper into what impact means to individuals and how it informs company-held definitions of impact. This action of surfacing definitions of impact will greatly benefit my work as a responsible fashion advocate, where variance exists among the impacts that people and the planet experience.

Manisha Vupputuri, MBA ’25

Hometown
Rochester, Michigan

What is your post-graduation career goal?
To pivot into consulting, specifically in disruptive innovation, with a focus on technology.

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?
It means a lot to me for Ross to recognize my efforts in growing our MBA community and my academic achievements. It encourages me to follow my path of helping others and volunteering to give back to the community while also continuing my learning journey at Ross.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?
I've been able to develop my leadership skills through my club involvement, career journey, classes, and Sanger Leadership Center events like Story Lab and the Leadership Crisis Challenge, as well as business/case competitions like the Business+Tech Innovation Jam and the Roland Berger Case Competition. Trying to juggle academics, recruiting, extracurriculars, and club leadership roles has been challenging. It has taught me lessons about leadership including prioritization, efficiency, and time management skills when everything you have needs to get done.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?
I hope to continue the efforts from my time at Ross by building similar processes in the company I will join post-graduation. I plan to do this while also continuing to volunteer and give back to the Ross community through mentorship and other alumni programs.

Grant Potts, MBA ’25

Hometown
I'm originally from Indiana, but I've always believed we're a product of all the places we've lived — which for me have been Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Chicago, Illinois, since graduating from DePauw University.

What is your post-graduation career goal?
I've loved airplanes and the aviation industry since I was a kid, so I'd love to end up working in some sort of strategy/finance role in the aviation industry someday.

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?
I'm honored and tremendously grateful to have received such a generous scholarship, especially given how big of a financial investment an MBA program is.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?
The opportunities to lead MTrek and start a brand new club at Ross have really pushed me as a leader, especially when it comes to setting a vision for an organization, making decisions, and enabling others to do their best work. I'm grateful for the chance to practice leadership in a relatively low-risk environment, and I think these lessons will help me on my leadership journey after graduation.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?
When I think about impact over the course of my career, I think about it in terms of the aviation industry and the people I'll work with. On the aviation front, I'm excited to contribute to an industry that serves such an important role in connecting the world. On the people front, I want to make sure I spend time mentoring those earlier on in their careers. I've greatly benefited from mentors in my career and want to pay it forward to the next generation.  

Andres Tineo-Paz, MBA ’25

Hometown
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, but I have lived most of my adult life in Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin, which I also consider home.

What is your post-graduation career goal?
Upon graduation, I hope to work in a strategy/finance role for an organization that is committed to reinventing our food systems by prioritizing nature and rural and indigenous communities while advancing the mission to solve the climate and biodiversity crises.

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?
Receiving this news was incredibly humbling. It affirmed that by being authentic to yourself and your goals, you can create a positive impact in the communities around you. Creating a culture of belonging and a space where everyone can thrive requires constant change and improvements, and I am so honored that through my actions, I can give back and contribute to the Ross community by making it a great place for everyone.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?
Stepping out of my comfort zone and leading initiatives like the ClimateCAP Summit, speaking at the GreenBiz Biodiversity Conference, and helping with the UpClose Diversity Weekend has not only enriched me as a person and professional, but has also given me the opportunity to mentor prospective students. These experiences have tremendously helped me become a better leader. However, I would say that I have grown the most by watching my incredible classmates demonstrate leadership in their respective fields and activities. Lastly, as the incoming president of the Food, Beverage, and Agriculture Club, and co-president of the Hispanic Student Association, I will be able to continue developing my leadership skills while creating spaces to support incoming and current students in achieving their goals.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?
My goal is to be in a role where I can help communities transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy. Additionally, I hope to serve as an advocate and example for underrepresented minorities working in sustainability by building programs to increase representation in the field and creating opportunities for higher education.

Brysan Porterfield, MBA ’25

Hometown
Branchburg, New Jersey

What is your post-graduation career goal?
Marketing/brand management

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?
I honestly cried and was overwhelmed when I received the news. It is a true honor to be a recipient because the Ross community means so much to me. One of the main reasons I chose to attend Ross is that this community allows me to be authentically myself — valued, heard, and supported. From the moment I stepped onto campus, I knew I wanted to give back to a community that makes me feel seen and included, ensuring others feel the same. So, it is incredibly humbling and affirming to be acknowledged in this way, as it validates all the hard work I have put in. Honestly, now more than ever, I am energized to do even more — I can't wait for next year!

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?
Before starting my MBA journey, I told myself, "If the opportunity scares you, lean in." With that mindset, I honestly challenged myself to say yes to any opportunity that intentionally aligned with my personal and professional goals, morals, and interests. Don't get me wrong — it was absolutely terrifying, but by saying yes, I was pushed to try new experiences. These included speaking to large crowds, developing strong recommendations for leading companies, and leading initiatives for 74 classmates as the president of Section 3. Ultimately, this allowed me to test and build upon various skill sets, shaping me into the leader I always dreamed of becoming.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?
I'm excited to continue contributing to the Ross community through my ongoing involvement with the student body, Black Business Students Association, and Michigan Marketing Club. This upcoming year, as the Class of 2025 Section 3 president, I am eager to work alongside the MBA1 and MBA2 section leadership. We aim to further enhance our inclusive and collaborative community through intentional planning and execution.

Additionally, I look forward to serving as co-president of the BBSA with Syleste Davis, aiming to engage and provide resources for Black students while fostering allyship within the broader Ross community. Furthermore, as the vice president of DEI for MMC, I am excited about increasing the community's diversity of thought by organizing carefully curated events. Lastly, after graduation, I aspire to make a lasting, positive impact on society as a marketing professional by ensuring that more brands and products are inclusive and equitable, truly reflecting the diversity of our country.

Vraj Mehta, MBA/MEng ’25

Hometown
I was born and raised in Vadodara, India, but I have also lived in Surat, Udaipur, and New Delhi. I came to Ann Arbor in 2022 and know it as my second home.

What is your post-graduation career goal?
Consulting/operations improvement with the dream of working for an F1 team as the team principal.

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?
Being awarded the Ross Community Impact Scholarship represents a deeply meaningful recognition of my journey and efforts within the MBA program. It's a testament to overcoming personal challenges, including transitioning from a core engineering background to the rigorous demands of business school, and my commitment to contributing positively to the Ross community. This scholarship is not just a financial award; it's an affirmation that my dedication to fostering inclusivity, support, and academic excellence has made a tangible difference. It validates the hard work, the overcoming of self-doubt, and the collaborative spirit I've embraced. This honor fuels my motivation to continue impacting our community positively, blending academic pursuits with meaningful community engagement.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?
At Michigan Ross, my leadership journey has been significantly enriched towards the end of this year by my election as the vice president of International Experience on the MBA Council and the executive vice president of the Energy Club. These roles have propelled my strategic and operational leadership skills to new heights, allowing me to directly impact and contribute to our community's global engagement and energy sector understanding. Coupled with the experiential learning from the Multidisciplinary Action Projects and the immersive Crisis Challenge facilitated by the Sanger Leadership Center, my leadership capabilities have expanded. These opportunities have provided a robust foundation for practicing resilience, adaptability, and inclusive leadership in dynamic environments.

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career? 
Post-graduation, I plan to champion the value of collaboration and diversity in the workplace, drawing on my Ross experiences to enhance team dynamics and decision-making processes. Additionally, I'll continue my efforts to support international students, serving as both an ambassador and an alumni contact, to facilitate their academic and career transitions. My commitment extends to contributing to and promoting initiatives that provide everyone access to MBA resources and career opportunities, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable business landscape.

Harshita Sinha, MBA ’25

Hometown
Plainsboro, New Jersey

What is your post-graduation career goal?
Healthcare

What does receiving the Ross Community Impact Scholarship mean to you?
I’ll be honest, when I initially received the email telling me that I had won the scholarship, I thought it was a fever dream. I had just finished a stint of travel, both personal and for C-trek, and was currently at the airport, about to board a flight for my MAP project. I assumed that somewhere in my delirium, I had imagined this honor. So when I sat down, re-read the email about five times, and pinched myself repeatedly to ensure I wasn’t dreaming things up, I could barely contain my excitement.

Receiving this scholarship is an incredible motivator, reminding me why I came to Ross to begin with: the community. Beyond the academics and beyond the madness of the job hunt, we have the incredible chance to be surrounded by both opportunity and brilliant minds. And if I can help build that world and continue the longstanding Ross tradition of community and support, then I’m beyond excited to do it.

How have you been able to develop your leadership skills while at Michigan Ross?
This is such a silly way to explain this — but have you ever seen the movie Yes Man? The premise is essentially that the main character says yes to everything, and I decided to adopt that model while I was in school (within reason, of course). While it seems silly in theory, by flinging myself into so many of the opportunities that came my way, I was able to challenge myself to discover passions and skills that I didn’t even know I had, to build my confidence in areas I would have never delved in before, and, most importantly, to recognize that it’s okay to make mistakes. Every single one is just another lesson along the way.

I won’t say be fearless because that can be such a daunting, unattainable sentiment to chase. Be fearful if you must, that’s okay… and then do it anyway!

How do you hope to continue making an impact at Ross and in business and society in your post-graduation career?
Now that I’m going to be an MBA2, I have it all figured out… just kidding, ‘figured out’ is a relative term, and life is a continual education!

For me, the focus is using our shared experiences to continue building a community, whether it is within or outside the walls of Ross. During the upcoming year, I have the opportunity to be co-president of both the Healthcare and Life Sciences Club and the Gourmet Club, along with being on the board of Out For Business. I hope that through those roles, I can use my own experiences, and the experiences of my class to help develop a trove of resources to support our incoming MBA1s as they begin their own journeys.

Beyond my time at Ross, I am committed to leveraging my education and experiences to make a significant impact on the healthcare sector, particularly in addressing critical issues of equity and accessibility. My goal is to foster a supportive network that uplifts and aids individuals in their personal and professional growth, echoing the sense of community and purpose I've experienced during my time at Ross.