Career-Focused Community: Meet the Michigan Ross Weekend MBA Class of 2027

The professionals of the Class of 2027 bring unique backgrounds and perspectives. With an average of seven years of full-time work experience, the cohort’s career paths represent a variety of industries, including 23% from engineering management, 14% from finance, 12% from operations/supply chain, and 11% from consulting. Additionally, 38% of the class already has an advanced degree. 

The lockstep cohort members attend class together in Ann Arbor every other weekend, commuting from across the United States — including Colorado, Washington D.C., Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas — as well as internationally from Ontario, Canada.

For further insight into their experiences so far, we asked four members of the newest WMBA cohort to share their motivations and why they chose Michigan Ross. 

Devinaa Mangal 

Grad year: 2027
Current Position/Company: Assistant vice president at Citi
Career Interest: Consulting and general management

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program? 
The Michigan Ross WMBA Program offers a perfect blend of academic rigor, flexibility, and community. The format of meeting in person every other weekend means I can pursue a top-tier MBA without pausing my career. I was drawn to Ross for its strong reputation and distinctive action-based learning model, which emphasizes real-world problem-solving and collaboration. Beyond the classroom, I’m impressed by the breadth of resources that enable 360-degree growth, like the Sanger Leadership Center, the Career Development Office, and the many student clubs.

What made the Ross WMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs? 
The Ross WMBA Program is so immersive and inclusive, despite being part-time. I appreciate that I did not have to choose a specialization upfront, giving me the flexibility to explore different areas of business as my interests evolve. It’s rare for a school like Ross to offer Part-Time MBA students access to nearly all the same resources, opportunities, and support systems as Full-Time MBA students. The cohort-based, lockstep structure has been a major plus: I get a strong sense of community in which everyone progresses together. We have the time to develop real connections. The WMBA Program gives me the full Ross experience in a way that is both rigorous and flexible.  

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross? 
I’m excited to engage with my peers who all come from different industries, backgrounds, and lived experiences. I’m hoping to broaden my perspective and challenge my way of thinking. The Ross curriculum and collaborative environment will also help me sharpen my ability to tackle complex business problems. In particular, I’m looking forward to the Multidisciplinary Action Project. It’s an incredible opportunity to apply classroom learning to an industry or function and gain experience tackling real business challenges.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career? 
Ross will prepare me for leadership roles by honing my expertise in strategic thinking, communication, and decision-making. It can introduce me to so many of the companies and industries I want to work in and help me build a strong professional network. Connecting with the wide network of alumni, who are leaders in their industries and companies, is also invaluable. Most of all, I know this program will challenge me and help me grow into a more thoughtful, confident leader.

Tell us how coming to campus every other weekend has fit into your schedule. What is your commute like? 
Balancing work, school, and life definitely takes planning, but the learning format makes it manageable. I fly in from Dallas, Texas, every other weekend, and while the travel can be tiring at times, it’s always worth it. Once I’m on campus, I’m energized by the amazing environment and the people around me. The experience makes the commute feel less like a chore and more like a meaningful investment in my growth.

Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far? 
The Ross community is ambitious yet deeply supportive — everyone is driven, but there’s a genuine culture of collaboration rather than competition. From day one, I’ve felt encouraged to be my authentic self in the classroom. The professors are very accomplished and also incredibly approachable. Balancing the program with a full-time job and life in another city hasn’t always been easy, but every time I land in Ann Arbor, I feel a sense of purpose. I’m learning, I’m growing, and I’m surrounded by people who push me to be better. That’s exactly the kind of environment I hoped to find when I chose Ross.

Katie Manzione 

Grad year: 2027
Current Position/Company: Data scientist at Drumline
Career Interest: Director/leadership-level role within the data science and machine learning space 

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program? 
I wanted to challenge myself academically while continuing to grow professionally. Ross offered the rigor and reputation I was seeking, paired with an in-person program that respects the demands of a full-time career. I knew that to lead effectively in the future, I needed to sharpen my strategic thinking and broaden my exposure to global business frameworks, and I felt that Ross was the ideal place to do that.

What made the Ross WMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs? 
Ross stands out for its action-based learning philosophy and collaborative culture. The WMBA structure allows me to continue working full-time without compromising on the depth or quality of my education. MAP stood out to me in particular, offering a real chance to apply learning in a meaningful, real-world, team-based environment. The reputation of the school, faculty, the strength of the alumni network, and leadership in areas like social impact and innovation were also key differentiators.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross? 
I’m most looking forward to working closely with a diverse and motivated cohort. I have already noticed how my classmates bring perspectives from vastly different industries and functions across the country. I have been loving getting to know my fellow classmates, connecting with them, and becoming friends. I’m excited to dive into electives that align with my long-term interests and to take part in student-led clubs that reflect my personal and professional passions. I’m also eager to experience the impact of MAP and its opportunities that push me outside my comfort zone.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career? 
Ross is giving me both the strategic toolkit and the leadership development I need to accelerate into more senior and leadership roles in my industry. I expect to leave the program with a stronger ability to influence cross-functional teams, navigate complex challenges, and make stronger and more actionable data-driven decisions. Beyond hard skills, the program is helping me grow in confidence and clarity about how I want to lead and make an impact.

Tell us how coming to campus every other weekend has fit into your schedule. What is your commute like? 
Since I work remotely and have the flexibility to move anywhere, I decided to live locally in Ann Arbor. My commute is easy, being that it’s a less than 10-minute drive to campus, so it fits into my schedule pretty seamlessly. Sometimes I’ll walk or bike when it’s nice outside. 

Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far? 
So far, the Ross experience has exceeded my expectations! The community is genuine, supportive, and driven, and the staff and faculty seem deeply invested in our success. I’ve already gained friendships that I know will last beyond graduation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this program, and I am excited for what’s to come!

Jonathan Young 

Grad year: 2027
Current Position/Company: Director, business development at Transcend Maintenance Services, Inc.
Career Interest: Private equity/venture capital or entrepreneurship through acquisition 

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program?
In 2024, I left my tech role to fully commit to growing our family business, which I had previously supported in a part-time capacity. To lead more effectively, I began exploring MBA programs that would strengthen my strategic decision-making and best position me to support the company’s growth. The Ross Weekend MBA Program offered a rigorous curriculum with the flexibility to remain fully involved in our family business.

What made the Ross WMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
While exploring MBA programs, I reached out to alumni from several schools. Ross alums were consistently more responsive, generous with their time, and thoughtful in their guidance than any other group I connected with. During one conversation, a 2017 MBA graduate introduced me to a second-year Weekend MBA student they had met during a coffee chat. This student took the time to meet with me twice and connected me with the Armed Forces Association group. This sense of interconnectedness and community was consistent across every interaction I had with Ross alums. I had read about the strength of the Ross alumni network during my research, but experiencing it firsthand was something else entirely.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am most excited about the action-based learning opportunities Ross offers throughout the program. Reflecting on my past experiences in tech and the military, I’ve found that the most lasting and meaningful lessons always came through experiential learning. I’m particularly looking forward to the Sanger Leadership Crisis Challenge and the Multidisciplinary Action Project. I’m also eager to explore the additional opportunities that will come up this fall as more clubs begin meeting again. I’m slated to be a host on the Working for the Weekend podcast, and I’m excited to see what else I’ll get involved in.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
Pursuing my MBA at Ross has already begun to positively impact my career. Within our family business, I’ve been focused on strengthening our marketing and sales strategies. Lessons from the Marketing Management course (WMBA 504) helped me approach this work more strategically and make smarter decisions about where to focus our efforts. I anticipate this pattern of real-time impact to continue throughout the program and carry well beyond graduation, both within our family business and other future ventures.

Tell us how coming to campus every other weekend has fit into your schedule. What is your commute like?
The bi-weekly class schedule has been a great fit for my routine. Before the program began, I actually thought I would prefer meeting every weekend. Since starting, I’ve come to appreciate how the every-other-weekend format gives my team time to work through assignments, collaborate remotely, and then show up prepared for in-person weekends. It also gives me the flexibility to stay balanced, making room for time with my kids and other personal priorities. I’m fortunate to live just 20 minutes from campus, so the commute has been quick and convenient.

Anything else you’d like to add about your experience so far?
There are truly endless opportunities to get involved in the Ross ecosystem and explore nearly any field or area of interest. My advice is to be intentional. Think about what you want to get out of the program that might be harder to access outside of it, and start there. Choose one or two professional pursuits that align with your goals, and if possible, add a passion-based club or activity into the mix. If you don’t have time for clubs, don’t worry. You will still connect with classmates outside of clubs and build the kind of bond the lockstep program is known for.

Chris McCoy 

Grad year: 2027
Current Position/Company: Business development manager, Molson Coors
Career Interest: Entrepreneurship

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program?
I enrolled at the University of Michigan because of its strong reputation for demanding excellence. As someone who wants to maximize potential and improve his career trajectory, I saw this program as a match. I also preferred Ross over other schools because of the transparency and collaboration it promotes across other programs around campus, with direct pipelines in place to industries outside of business, allowing me to maximize my exposure to cross-functional collaboration.

What made the Ross WMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
The weekend format best fits my needs. As a working professional, weekdays are taxing and demanding, with many emotions, responsibilities, and personal matters. It seemed like if I took weekday classes with my schedule, it would be harder to lock in and get the most out of my time. With classes taking place on Friday and Saturday, I could really excel by living in the moment and blocking out those weekday worries.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
There are two things that stick out to me, the first being the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship and the other being the Multidisciplinary Action Projects course.

How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
A Ross MBA will improve my solution-oriented thinking by helping me structure problems and communicate solutions. It will also expose me to unique perspectives and recalibrate my north star for analyzing, dissecting, proposing, and implementing solutions.

Tell us how coming to campus every other weekend has fit into your schedule. What is your commute like?
I’m an Amtrak individual. Every other Thursday, I take the 5:50 “Wolverine Line” from Chicago to Ann Arbor, and depending on the events going on around campus for that week, I may leave Saturday night or Sunday. The Amtrak is a great opportunity to catch up on cases, work, or your favorite show.

Anything else you’d like to add about your experience so far?
I’m now eight weeks into the program, and I’ve already seen the coursework carry over into my workplace. I’ve constructed and proposed a consultative project with our external distributors, reformatted my approach to storytelling, and have felt more confident in my abilities.