Thomas C. Jones Undergraduate Innovation Initiative
Through the generosity of Thomas C. Jones (BBA ‘68, MBA ‘71), the Thomas C. Jones Undergraduate Innovation Initiative provides the Michigan Ross BBA program with resources to enable continuous enhancement and innovation. Since its inception in 2005, the Jones Initiative has paved the way for advancements that include additional undergraduate courses, the expansion of experiential learning opportunities, and the transition to a four-year program.
Enhanced Academic Experience
The development and implementation of a four-year BBA program offers students a deeper, more holistic business school experience. Students’ transition to Michigan Ross and U-M is aided by initiative-supported student experiences like BA 100 and BA 102 — first-year courses that introduce students to learning in business school.
Action-Based Learning
Aligned with the Ross commitment to learning by doing, the Jones Initiative supports innovative BBA courses, like Capstone MAP and the Magnify Immersion Program, that give students unique opportunities to put business concepts into practice, and lead in the process.
“The Capstone MAP was incredible. It really showed me how much we have learned in the last three years and forced me to put everything together.”
- BBA student survey response
Integrative Activities
The Jones Initiative champions activities and curriculum, like the Ross Integrative Semester, that help BBA students learn how business concepts are interconnected.
Leadership Development
The Michigan Ross first-year BBA welcome event, the sophomore orientation event G.E.A.R. UP, and Sanger Leadership Center curriculum enhancements, are just some of the student leadership opportunities made possible through the Jones Initiative.
Thomas C. Jones
An alumnus of the Ross School of Business (BBA, ‘68, MBA ‘71), Thomas C. Jones was the school’s first executive-in-residence and served as director of the Bachelor of Business Administration program. Jones was also president at CIGNA Retirement & Investment Services.
With the support of the Jones Initiative, the BBA program continues to bring the best and brightest undergraduate minds together for an engaging learning experience that advances the school’s mission to build a better world through business.