A Class of Changemakers: Meet the Michigan Ross BBA Class of 2029

Fifty-one percent of the class hails from Michigan. The rest of the class represents 31 U.S. states, two territories, and countries around the world, including India, China, Brazil, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Canada, Turkey, Peru, the United Kingdom, and Kazakhstan.

Admission to the Michigan Ross Bachelor of Business Administration Program was highly competitive, with the admissions committee selecting students from a pool of more than 13,000 applicants. The average incoming student scored 33 on the ACT and 1450 on the SAT, and had an impressive high school GPA of 3.93.

Now, with their first semester of business school behind them, the newest members of the Ross community are experiencing what sets the BBA Program apart. They are learning from world-renowned professors as they take on a rigorous, holistic curriculum that will prepare them to lead with confidence through uncertainty. Through action-based projects, global learning opportunities, and a strong liberal arts foundation, they are pursuing their passions and developing the skills to drive impact and build a better world through business.

Below, meet four members of the Class of 2029 and discover why they chose Ross, what they’re looking forward to in the program, and their plans for the future.  

Samara Mehta

Hometown: San Ramon, California
BBA Graduation Year: 2029

Why did you want to study business?
I chose to study business because I found that it really rewards curiosity in every way that it is
applied. There’s a quote I love that says, “If you’ve played Monopoly, you know that if you don’t take the risk, you’ll end up paying rent to someone who did.” Business pushes you to be bold and decisive, but it also teaches you how to make those bold choices strategically.

I was also drawn to how business connects every discipline. Whether in public policy, global affairs, or sustainability, there’s always a strategic and operational layer that determines impact, and I wanted to explore the analytical foundation that business provides for those tiers in a more serious academic setting.

What is your post-graduation career interest?
After graduating, my goal is to pursue strategy or environmental, social, and governance consulting. I’m particularly interested in roles in the enterprise and public sectors that focus on sustainability strategy and communications.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross BBA Program?
What drew me to Ross was the program’s unique emphasis on action-based learning beyond the core curriculum. As someone interested in sustainability and public policy, I’m really excited to get involved in the early career opportunities that the Erb Institute and Business+Impact initiative have to offer.

At the same time, Ross offers a depth and breadth of resources across industries that will make it easier to pivot as my interests evolve. I grew up surrounded by Michigan alums, including my dad, and so I’ve witnessed firsthand how the university’s culture of excellence extends far beyond these four years. Having the opportunity to come to the university I’ve been visiting since I was a toddler is a dream come true!

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
The diversity in background, experience, and ambition at Ross is deeply exciting, and I’m looking forward to developing meaningful relationships with as many peers and professors as I can in my time here. It’s incredibly valuable to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who push you to work harder and take initiative, but also to slow down and learn from their perspectives.

Aside from the community, I’m eager to enrich my global perspective through the study abroad program and the wealth of fascinating classes. When I first looked into the BBA Program, I was intrigued by electives like Base of the Pyramid (BA 445) and the Carson Scholars Program. I hope to have the opportunity to participate in some of these offerings in the future.

How do you think your experience at Ross will impact your future?
My experience at Ross is one that I know I’ll be able to lean back on five, 10, and even 20 years into my career. From engaging in extracurricular clubs to taking advantage of the multitude of career and wellness resources, the Ross community truly encourages you to invest in yourself. In the future, I think that the most meaningful personal and professional payoffs will stem from adopting that mindset of constant self-growth and a desire to learn.

What advice do you have for those who are considering applying to Ross?
Whether it’s college admissions or being at U-M as a student, my advice for those considering applying to Ross is to always bet on yourself. To get others to see the importance of your perspective, you have to be the first one to believe that your background and experiences are valuable.

One of my favorite experiences in high school was the two years I spent coaching a youth lacrosse team. While not explicitly a “business” role or experience, I still learned skills like project management and communication in a very hands-on and creative way. The program truly looks for how you’ve sought out the qualities that make a great business leader, regardless of the setting. Coming from an out-of-state student who was deferred, waitlisted, and then accepted, trust that there is always a best-fit path for you. Be articulate in demonstrating how a non-traditional background puts you in a position to succeed, and most of all, Go Blue!

Nilay Mishra

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
BBA Graduation Year: 2029

Why did you want to study business? 
When I was 12, I made a wager. It wasn’t a wager against my brother, against a friend, or any kind of situation I’d seen before. It was a wager involving a $50 billion natural gas transportation company.

I decided to put up the money I had saved from lawn mowing and invest it in Energy Transfer. I had no clue what I was doing, but the idea of making money without having to push a 60-pound machine back and forth in 90-degree weather seemed really intriguing at the time. So there I was, investing in a company that I knew nothing about except that they had an eight percent dividend yield. With time, I saw the company stock drop by 50%, and my lawn mowing money shrank rather than grew.

But the entire process was so exhilarating. Every day, I would open Yahoo Finance between classes, and I would celebrate when the stock would go up two cents, thinking I was onto the next big thing. Luckily, my investing strategy has become slightly more advanced than just high dividend yield companies (thanks, ET), but I’ve loved the experience.

I want to spend the rest of my life sharpening that skill, experiencing the feeling of buying my first stock again, and becoming as knowledgeable an investor as my younger self thought he was when ET moved from $12.55 to $12.91.

What is your post-graduation career interest?
I want to run my hedge fund, Kairovia Capital, full-time. 

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross BBA Program?
One thing I had always heard about Michigan Ross was the collaborative culture. A lot of top business school programs, including Ross, have a lot of resources to help you excel in fields you are interested in, but very few have the supportive culture that Ross exhibits. I had heard from many friends that among classmates, professors, academic advisors, and program directors, everyone was more than willing to support you in any way you needed. Plus, being a huge college football fan made my decision even easier.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I’m looking forward to working more directly with the Zell Lurie Institute. ZLI has lots of resources for up-and-coming Michigan entrepreneurs, and I’d love to utilize their mentorship and resources to help grow my fund, Kairovia Capital. As one of the first funds trading exclusively on prediction markets, I think speed and proper execution, combined with the experienced mentorship of Ross directors, will greatly improve our chances of success. 

How do you think your experience at Ross will impact your future?
I think the two biggest impacts Ross will have on my future are supporting and motivating me as someone with an entrepreneurial passion, and building a community of highly intelligent and genuine people. One of the best memories I’ve had so far was having an extensive conversation with Jamie Siminoff, the cofounder of Ring Doorbell, at a Ross-held venture capital conference. Meeting such humble and successful founders, getting their advice on how to grow a business, and connecting with classmates around me via clubs and events make Ross a place I’m truly grateful to be a part of.

What advice do you have for those who are considering applying to Ross? 
The biggest advice I can give is to paint a detailed picture of what kind of business student you are. Business is such a broad term; it is all around us, and there are seemingly an infinite number of streams within the subject. While having solid academic statistics helps demonstrate your ability to succeed in the classroom, showing genuine curiosity and interest in specific areas of business is crucial when applying to business school. If you’re not yet sure what streams of business interest you, that’s totally fine, because the traits required to succeed in this extensive field of study can be displayed in so many different ways.

Nadine Fayad

Hometown: Dearborn, Michigan
BBA Graduation Year: 2029

Why did you want to study business? 
I chose to study business because it offers endless possibilities. I’ve noticed that those who understand how people, organizations, and strategy work can create their own opportunities rather than wait for them. Core business skills, such as networking, branding, and problem solving, are essential in every career, and by strengthening these fundamentals, I am confident that I am equipping myself to excel in my future pursuits. 

What is your post-graduation career interest?
Although I am still exploring, I have found an interest in both wealth management and real estate. Wealth management appeals to me because it’s deeply personal. Helping individuals reach major life goals such as buying a new home, retiring early, or funding their children's education is incredibly fulfilling. Real estate, on the other hand, captivates me because of its tangible and community-shaping nature. After much planning and hard work, you can physically see the impact of your work and how it shapes communities.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross BBA Program?
Deciding to Go Blue was one of the easiest decisions I’ve made. I had seen how Ross provides its students with support in every aspect and wanted to be a part of that environment. From its distinguished faculty, who are seasoned professionals in their fields, many with global and executive experience, their mentorship and real-world insights shape every class. What I also appreciate about Ross is that opportunities aren’t rare or restricted; they’re constant. Company visits, professional panels, and conversations with industry leaders happen daily, and it’s not everywhere that you have direct access to people who genuinely want to help you grow. If you truly want to succeed, there is always someone to talk to, something to join, or a new door to open. On top of that, the curriculum is built around collaboration and action-based learning. I was genuinely excited to work on diverse teams, especially knowing that each student arrives with impressive experiences and accomplishments. Learning from my peers, working alongside them, and forming meaningful connections has become one of the parts of Ross I value most.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am looking forward to taking full advantage of the many resources Ross provides. I hope to participate in the Women in Finance Trek through the Och Initiative and continue strengthening my technical skills in the field. I’m also excited to attend more speaker events, such as the Real Estate Conference, where I can listen, learn, and interact with industry professionals.

How do you think your experience at Ross will impact your future?
From my first day here at Ross, I was exposed to opportunities that I wouldn't have otherwise had. From hosting C-suite executives through clubs to connecting with upperclassmen and alumni across industries, Ross places me in environments that push me to grow and learn from people whose paths I aspire to follow. I think that mindset of learning from others and intentionally placing myself in environments that reflect where I want to go will stay with me long after graduation and guide the way I build my career.

What advice do you have for those who are considering applying to Ross? 
The best advice I received when applying was to truly be yourself. Find the values that are most true to you and cohesively build a story that portrays them and how they connect to the values of Ross. 

Grant Foumia

Hometown: Commerce Township, Michigan
BBA Graduation Year: 2029

Why did you want to study business?
In high school, I naturally found myself in business clubs and with an interest in investing, but I still wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do. With the single major program at Ross, I understood that I could explore a variety of business areas first and then figure out which one ultimately felt right for me. That way, I don't feel limited by a decision I made back in high school, and I can truly pursue whatever I want.

What is your post-graduation career interest?
My post-graduation career interest is to work in banking, either in a big city such as New York or Chicago, or possibly being able to stay home and work in the Metro Detroit area. I have always found myself drawn to cities, even though I grew up in a smaller Michigan town. Luckily for me, banking and Ross together provide me with that opportunity.

Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross BBA Program?
The University of Michigan has always been my dream school. I practically grew up on campus; my dad and I went to all the Michigan football games with our season tickets, and we always celebrated the wins by eating dinner right on campus. I always admired the students, and I knew I wanted to be like them someday. When I finally decided I wanted to major in business, it was a huge bonus that U-M also happened to offer such an elite program like Ross. Once I got my acceptance letter, choosing Michigan was a no-brainer.

What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I look forward to growing closer with my section and eventually seeing the success that we all have. I have already made friends in my section, and knowing I'll have class with them over the next few years is pretty cool. I'm sure that once we start getting offers and jobs, it will bring things full circle to see everyone achieve our goals together.

How do you think your experience at Ross will impact your future?
I think my experience at Ross will impact my future by giving me the freedom and support to pursue whatever path I end up choosing. Ross offers so many resources, between classes, clubs, and the network, that allow me to explore different interests and build the skills I need along the way. The people I meet and the knowledge I gain will help shape my career in ways that wouldn’t be possible at most other schools.

What advice do you have for those who are considering applying to Ross?
The advice I have for those considering applying to Ross is to stay true to yourself and let all your accomplishments and successes speak for themselves. Don’t try to portray yourself as someone you aren't; your application will lose the voice it needs to stand out.