Opening Doors: How the Michigan Ross Annual Fund Empowers Students to Explore, Grow, and Give Back
At Michigan Ross, the generosity of alumni, donors, and the entire Ross community powers transformational experiences for students across all our academic programs. Each year, the World of Difference Scholarship—funded by the Michigan Ross Annual Fund—opens doors for students like Emily Sun, BBA ’25, and Larrysa McAllister, MBA ’25, helping them explore new interests, engage in community, and embark on bold career journeys.
Despite arriving at Ross at different points in their academic and professional lives, both Emily and Larrysa share a passion for exploration, mentorship, and creating opportunity for others—values made possible, in no small part, by donor support.
An Open Pathway to Exploration
Neither Emily nor Larrysa began their Ross journey with a perfectly mapped-out plan. For Emily—a first-generation student from Chicago—Ross offered the kind of flexibility she craved. "My interests were really scattered," Emily recalls. "Ross had an undergrad program that let me explore everything: finance, marketing, accounting, operations. I loved that I didn’t have to pick just one."
Larrysa, too, was drawn to Ross’s spirit of openness—not just in its academics, but in its culture. After several years working in chemical engineering and manufacturing, Larrysa used the MBA as a bold career pivot. For her, Ross’s collaborative, “pay it forward” culture was the deciding factor. “Talking about Ross, I would just light up,” she says. “It was clear this was where I belonged.”
Both students found that the scholarship support from the Annual Fund gave them the freedom to try new things. “I put so much pressure on myself to have the perfect trajectory,” says Emily. “The scholarship made it okay for me to try—whether that was engineering projects, real estate, or consulting—so I could really find what fit.”
Embracing Community and Mentorship
Community has been central for both Emily and Larrysa—especially in helping others access the same opportunities they were given.
As a first-generation student, Emily found early support through the Ross Summer Connection and later dedicated herself to programs like the Ross First Gen Network, both as a leader and as a peer mentor. “I got to help other first-gen students build community and learn about industries like consulting and finance,” she says. “Mentorship became a huge part of who I am.”
Larrysa also fully immersed herself in extracurricular activities: “I did all the things I wanted: club leadership, section leadership, case competitions. The World of Difference scholarship solidified my decision to come to Ross and empowered me to take advantage of everything.” For Larrysa, the opportunity to connect—whether through affinity clubs’ cultural nights or the day-to-day classroom experience—brought home the value of a collaborative community.
Grateful, and Paying It Forward
Both students acknowledge the critical role their scholarships played—not just in enabling their personal exploration, but in inspiring them to support others.
“Knowing my scholarship came from so many donors—alumni, the community, even staff and students—makes it feel like a true collective gift,” Emily reflects. “I’m really grateful, and I want to make sure other first-gen students have the resources I wish I’d had.”
Larrysa echoes this gratitude and responsibility: “Ross gives you the tools, but you have to take advantage of the opportunities. My advice? Be ready for the challenge, but jump into everything. And know that you’re part of a community that’s invested in your growth.”
Looking Ahead
Both Emily and Larrysa are preparing for exciting new chapters: Emily is heading to New York to start her consulting career at EY; Larrysa is launching a new path in brand management at Mars in New Jersey, blending her technical background with her passion for consumer goods. While they’ll soon leave Ann Arbor, both say it’s the friends and the sense of belonging they’ll miss most—but they look forward to joining a large, supportive Ross alumni network.
Knowing my scholarship came from so many donors—alumni, the community, even staff and students—makes it feel like a true collective gift.
Final Reflections
Asked what advice they’d give to their younger selves, both echo an ethos essential to the Ross experience: “Rejection is better than regret,” Emily says. “Take every opportunity—even when you feel underqualified.”
Larrysa adds, “Prepare yourself for the challenge, but embrace the chance to grow. Make the most of what’s here, and remember: the opportunity is what you make of it.”
Through their journeys at Ross, Emily and Larrysa have not only found their paths, but have also empowered those who will come after them. Their stories emulate the power of community philanthropy—and the ripple effect it has on students who are ready, willing, and able to pay it forward.
The Look to Michigan Ross campaign is fully underway, setting an ambitious standard to advance business education for the future. By supporting the Annual Fund, we can create opportunities for our students like Emily and Larrysa to lead boldly, develop innovations that make a meaningful impact, and build a future where business serves as a positive force for the greater good.
