Value-Driven Leaders: Meet the Michigan Ross Master of Management Class of 2027
In June, the Ross School of Business welcomed a new cohort of students to its Master of Management Program, which ranked No. 2 in the United States again this year in QS World University Rankings.
The Michigan Ross MM Class of 2027 comprises 90 students from 25 undergraduate institutions across six countries. Sixty-three percent of the class are women, and the students represent a wide range of undergraduate backgrounds, coming from 50 different majors, including many humanities-focused degrees like psychology, journalism, and entertainment. The new class also debuted with an impressive academic record, with an incoming GPA of 3.65.
The Ross MM Program takes place over 10 months, during which students gain a solid understanding of business fundamentals and build on that expertise by solving problems for real companies in the Consulting Studio. Coming from non-business backgrounds with two years or less of work experience, the program challenges students to fuse their diverse backgrounds and interests with newfound business acumen to become cross-functional leaders.
Below, meet three members of the MM Class of 2027.
Joshua Kreiter, MM ’27
Hometown
Lansing, Michigan
Undergraduate school and major
I attended Michigan State University ('24), where I majored in psychology and journalism. I also completed a master of social work degree at the University of Michigan ('26) through the School of Social Work.
Post-graduation career interest
My career interest is to enter the field of social impact consulting or corporate social responsibility, blending my business and social work degrees. I believe that business leaders have both the responsibility and the power to uplift the communities they operate in by investing in community initiatives, economic development, and strategic partnerships between corporations and community leaders. The field of consulting, specifically, is attractive to me as it allows me to work on a wide range of projects with a wide range of clients, expanding my reach and the impact I can make.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?
I decided to enroll at Ross to complement my social work degree and to gain the business acumen and skills needed to be a successful leader. Additionally, the Ross network is very strong in the different geographies that I could see myself in postgrad. Ultimately, I want to promote business by doing good in the community. Ross has a culture of producing the leaders and the best through excellence, both personally and professionally.
What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort this year?
Some unique strengths and perspectives I bring to this cohort are systems-level thinking, cultural humility, empathy, and a human-centered approach to problem-solving. Blending social work and traditional business is an uncommon path, but it allows me to focus more on human interactions in the business space from a deeper, different perspective. When considering the career path I want to pursue, which is heavily client- and community-facing and relational, understanding and interacting with others around me on a much deeper level is an invaluable skill. Additionally, my ability to understand and interpret the policies and environments my clients might operate in is a useful skill that will allow me to provide deeper analysis when considering how to solve the problems they may face.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am most looking forward to two things in this program and at Ross broadly. The first is the Consulting Studio, where I will be able to apply what I am learning in the classroom to a real-world problem. While completing my master of social work, I was able to take Project Management and Consulting with Professor Amy Cell through the U-M Center for Entrepreneurship (highly recommend!), which paired my team and me with a real client to solve a business problem they were facing.
This experience reaffirmed my passion for consulting, and I am excited to undergo a similar experience in this program. The second thing I am looking forward to is building relationships with other members of my cohort. Business school is an excellent space to form long-lasting personal and professional relationships with like-minded individuals. I am excited to find others who are also interested in the intersection of business and social/environmental impact and in how we can best support each other in the future.
How do you hope to grow personally and professionally during the program?
Professionally, I hope to grow as a strategic communicator and a successful leader. I will be engaging closely with the Sanger Leadership Center to develop my leadership capabilities through opportunities such as the Leadership Crisis Challenge and the Michigan Ross Leadership Endorsement.
Personally, I hope to more narrowly define my individual "why" and determine what motivates me beyond my professional pursuits and interests so I can lead a fulfilling and rewarding life.
Victoria Coleman, MM ’27
Hometown
San Jose, California
Undergraduate school and major
I attended the University of Southern California for theatre, and I minored in the entertainment and music industries.
Post-graduation career interest
I am really excited to learn more about consulting and event-based marketing. My background includes TV development, music live-streaming and marketing, and event production in student government leadership roles. I’ve been working at Universal Music Group for the past two years and I am eager to find a way to bridge my passion for the arts with business.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?
I decided to enroll in the Ross MM Program after speaking with students and faculty members at Michigan who really helped me to see what is possible here. Not only do we have access to the Ross staff and classes, but we also have endless opportunities to grow through student organizations. Personally, I hope to get involved in Women in Business, theatre performance opportunities, and more!
Additionally, like many Ross alums, I hope to move to New York City after graduating, and there are so many support systems in place to help with that transition. I feel like the U-M staff put stock in me and are actively interested in helping me to discover what is possible.
What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort this year?
I bring a creative background in different disciplines and two years of full-time work experience in Los Angeles. This program is modeled after what sort of manager you aspire to be, and especially after already starting my career, I feel I have a unique perspective on how I would like to lead and in what industry. I also bring a different point of view, being from out of state, and attending university in California.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am most looking forward to the Consulting Studio. In the arts, so much of the creative process is problem solving, and I believe this will translate well to consulting. I am really excited to work on a real-world scenario with my teammates and make a positive difference for a company.
How do you hope to grow personally and professionally during the program?
I hope to learn more about how I can use my creativity in a business setting. I feel like, for a while, I had to choose between being organized and being an artist, but I recognize that being able to think outside the box and tell a story is actually a superpower in the business world. I am eager to find a role that fits me and that I am passionate about with a new skill set. I am also very excited to explore the Midwest and meet lots of Wolverines!
Madison Loving, MM ’27
Hometown
Northville, Michigan
Undergraduate school and major
University of Michigan, bachelor of arts in psychology
Post-graduation career interest
I am interested in pursuing a career in consulting or human resources. More specifically, I am thoroughly drawn to human capital and strategy consulting.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MM Program?
I enrolled in the Michigan Ross MM Program because I want to stretch my capabilities both professionally and academically. Upon completion of my undergraduate degree, I wanted to further my academic journey in a curriculum that would build upon my desire to infiltrate the human experience in the business world. Coming across this program, I noticed that it would embrace the journey of understanding the career path that best suits me. The MM Program’s curriculum silenced the fears that I held in continuing my education and entering into a solid career. I was drawn to the program’s design of building the personal and professional confidence of a student with a non-business background.
What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort this year?
With my background in psychology and personal experiences, I am confident that I will bring a unique level of patience, compassion, and understanding to the MM journey. My cohort will experience my strengths of caring and a constant push to learn information beyond the surface level. It is my hope that I uphold a consistent beacon of light, building opportunities for deep thought and joy among my cohort peers.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am most excited to experience the curriculum and networking opportunities. It brings my heart joy to know that I will have a chance every day to grow impactful relationships with peers, faculty, and companies. Also, I am eager to immerse myself in the atmosphere of Ross, which promotes the importance of engaging in each moment beyond my comfort zone.
How do you hope to grow personally and professionally during the program?
During this upcoming year, I hope to personally grow my confidence in who I am and what I bring to any room. Professionally, I desire to expand my adaptability to expected and unexpected ambiguous situations. I am certain that this program will cultivate both of these hopes, and I am excited to flourish in all areas of life. With the many opportunities provided, the program will actively support my desire to overcome self doubt and improve precision in business.
