Weekend Warriors: Meet the Michigan Ross Weekend MBA Class of 2025
In May, 117 talented and diverse students joined the Weekend MBA Program at the Ross School of Business.
These accomplished professionals are looking forward to engaging with each other, building their business and leadership skills, and participating in signature academic courses like Multidisciplinary Action Projects, and in opportunities through the Michigan Ross Centers and Institutes. With an average 6.8 years of work experience, many members of the class leveraged their experience through the Quantitative Readiness Course or via test waiver for an alternate path to admission.
Of the incoming WMBAs, 24% are women and 6% are veterans. The cohort represents a variety of industries, including 53% from engineering, 15% from finance, 8% from consulting, and 5% from operations. Additionally, the class hails from a number of states across the country, including California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, among others.
Below, hear from four members of the Michigan Ross WMBA Class of 2025.
Sophie (Huq) McGuinness
Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI
Current job: Senior strategist, Advanced Air Mobility, Ventures & Innovation Strategy at The Boeing Company
Undergraduate school/major: Michigan State University, B.A., supply chain management, B.A., international relations
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program?
The Michigan Ross Weekend MBA program is a top, nationally recognized, prestigious program that focuses on holistic leadership. Ross is teaching a curriculum that will help students be future leaders at their organizations by learning core competencies, but also teaching students the soft skills to learn how to manage teams, make difficult decisions, and work with diverse stakeholders. Whether it is content baked into the course loads or the opportunities students receive to test their skillsets through the Sanger Leadership Center or through the Zell Lurie Institute, the Ross WMBA program was the best program for me because it challenges driven students to become better leaders.
What made the Ross WMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
There were three main factors:
1. Collaborative learning – The amount of team projects the Ross WMBA has feels like it truly depicts the “real world.” It is rare I am at work and solving a problem without a cross-functional team, so I love how Ross embodies that mindset in its curriculum.
2. Unique to Michigan Ross is the fact that the opportunities in the WMBA Program match the opportunities in the Full-Time Program. Whether it is access to the career office, MAP project opportunities, or the diversity and caliber of professors, the programs appear unmatched – which is not something other MBA programs can say.
3. The cohort experience – I am so excited to start and finish the program with a talented set of students who all have similar goals of being future business leaders. There are not many programs that have weekend MBA cohorts. But at Ross, we are able to develop deeper relationships with our colleagues in the program which definitely brings camaraderie and a common sense of belonging.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am most looking forward to learning from my colleagues and bringing in the knowledge and skillset I am developing on Friday and Saturday in the classroom to my work place on Monday morning. I am excited to add greater value to my team using new technologies and innovative ways of thinking to help solve the problems we face. Being in an automotive city, I am also looking forward to joining the Auto & Mobility Club and bringing my diverse aerospace and advanced air mobility perspective to connect with other students working for OEMs.
How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
Pursuing my MBA at Ross is not just a two-year commitment, but truly is an opportunity that will impact me for years to come. I believe while I am at Ross, I will grow my technical business skills in addition to my holistic leadership skills. However, I am looking forward to utilizing the robust Ross alumni network to continue to connect with individuals around the world in industries and roles I may be interested in pursuing. Lastly, I am very excited that graduating from Ross allows me to utilize the Ross Alumni Advantage to continue to pursue higher level educational opportunities throughout my career.
Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
I am just one month in and have already met individuals from functions and companies I hadn’t heard of before. I am already getting a return on my investment by learning more about the diverse cohort of students and am being inspired by the dedication of my classmates to pursue this demanding WMBA program while supporting full-time roles, families, partners, and pets! I am looking forward to working with the brilliant students and my new colleagues at Ross as I learn more about the world and the possibilities of career opportunities post-MBA.
Tim Noh
Hometown: Busan, South Korea/Currently living in Atlanta, GA
Current job: Management consulting senior analyst, Accenture
Undergraduate school/major: University of Illinois, advertising
What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
I started off my career as an investment analyst at a private equity firm, but serving in the military has been my childhood dream. When I received my first promotion offer, I respectfully turned it down and joined the United States Army, and it’s by far the best decision I have ever made in my life.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program?
I’ve wanted to pursue an MBA from a top-tier program ever since I got out of the military, and Ross was immediately on my radar when I began my application process. The action-based learning opportunities Ross offers through MAP was one of the biggest differentiators when I was comparing different programs.
What made the Ross WMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
My only concern about a part-time MBA program was not having a cohort, because of the challenges of forming a network with your classmates. As soon as I found out that the Ross WMBA is a cohort-based format, I put Ross on top of my list and I'm so glad to be here.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I want to have fun during my time at Ross. To me, going to college after high school was somewhat of a fixed route, but pursuing an MBA is a decision that I made on my own. Because I chose to do this, I want to have fun learning about the business acumen from faculty and hearing about the knowledge and expertise that my classmates will bring from their respective workspaces.
How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
I believe the experience in and outside of the classroom with faculty and classmates will be an asset for my career. Because of the depth and variety of knowledge that a Ross MBA brings, I have no doubt that I will be more valuable and a better well-rounded leader through this program.
Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
The highlight of my career is being surrounded by great people, and I think the WMBA Class of 2025 will add to it. I look forward to successfully completing our two-year journey together.
Robbie Slater
Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana/Currently living in East Lansing, MI
Current job: Registered nurse, clinical assistant to the medical director, Cedar Creek Hospital, UHS
Undergraduate school/major: Michigan State University, nursing
What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
As a house supervisor at one of the biggest healthcare systems in the world, I led a resilient team through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. By implementing innovative strategies, cross-training employees, and pooling resources, we ensured uninterrupted operations while achieving consistently low turnover rates and increased revenue. This accomplishment strengthened my strategic acumen, interpersonal skills, and dedication to patient care. It stands as a testament to our ability as a team to thrive amidst uncertainty.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program?
Enrolling in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program was a resolute choice driven by my passion to bridge the divide between the business and clinical realms of healthcare. The intricate challenges plaguing the industry, including personnel shortages, cost optimization, operational inefficiency, and health inequity, demand comprehensive, cross-functional skills for effective solutions. With a desire to drive transformative change, I embarked on this journey to arm myself with the essential tools and knowledge necessary to bridge the gap between healthcare administrators and clinicians. By positioning myself as an expert in solving these complex healthcare issues, I am poised to make a profound impact and spearhead the much-needed transformation of the industry.
What made the Ross WMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
The Ross WMBA cohort-based model and emphasis on experiential learning were key differentiators for me compared to other programs. The opportunity to learn along with some of the world’s best and brightest and concurrently apply classroom lessons to my current role was simply not offered anywhere else.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am eagerly anticipating the Ross program as a non-traditional student, eager to delve into the intricacies of business and its relevance to our daily lives. The prospect of learning from industry experts and my diverse cohort is exciting because I am seeking to expand my knowledge and gain valuable insights. Additionally, forging lifelong friendships and discovering potential collaborators is a paramount aspiration, further enhancing the enriching experience I envision at Ross.
How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
Pursuing an MBA at Ross will be the catalyst that propels my career to new heights, seamlessly merging my nursing expertise with the realms of operations and innovation. By immersing myself in rigorous coursework, engaging in MAP, and actively participating in diverse clubs, I will emerge as a dynamic and well-rounded leader, equipped to enact profound positive change in the world through business.
Anything else you’d like to add about your experience so far?
I appreciate the intentionality behind structuring the courses to the needs of working students. It has been made very clear that there is support available, especially for non-traditional business students like me. My experience so far has reiterated that the WMBA program at Ross is the best choice for me.
Preetish Jaiswal
Hometown: Allahabad, UP, India/Currently living in Rochester, MI
Current job: Sr. systems engineer, Dana Inc.
Undergraduate school/major: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, mechanical engineering; MS at The Ohio State University, mechanical engineering
What is your greatest professional accomplishment so far?
I successfully launched my previous employer's product portfolio in Europe, driving a 30% YoY sales increase. This achievement enhanced my skills in market research, market entry, negotiations, competitive analysis, pricing, and sales projection, showcasing my ability to drive successful product launches and deliver substantial business results.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross WMBA Program?
Ross offers an ideal environment for engaging with individuals of diverse skills and experiences. Nowhere else could I collaborate in a team consisting of an engineer, a consultant, a financial analyst, and a sales manager all at once. I was confident that the rich diversity of perspectives and approaches available at Ross would empower me to become a successful leader. Moreover, the opportunity to work alongside industry experts, solving real-life problems through MAP, greatly attracted me to the Ross WMBA program.
What made the Ross WMBA Program stand out to you versus other programs?
Ross offers an ideal balance between flexibility and structure within its curriculum. The first-year core courses establish a solid foundation in essential business skills, while the second-year electives enable us to delve into our preferred areas of interest. Moreover, trusted friends and colleagues shared their personal experiences of career growth acceleration through a Ross MBA, which drew me closer to the program. Even as a die-hard Buckeye, I can confidently say, “Go Blue!”
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am particularly looking forward to participating in Sanger Leadership Center’s activities. I am excited to leverage this dedicated resource for comprehensive leadership training. As part of my commitment to personal and professional growth, I plan to complete the Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement Program, showcasing my accomplishments in leadership development.
How do you believe pursuing your MBA at Ross will help you in your career?
I am excited about the opportunity to tackle case studies and deepen my understanding of diverse business functions, including marketing, finance, operations, and strategy. This broad knowledge will be instrumental in facilitating my overall development and career advancement. Furthermore, the connections forged at Ross will grant me invaluable access to career opportunities that may otherwise be challenging to attain.
Anything else you'd like to add about your experience so far?
I have found my experience at Ross thus far to be incredibly fulfilling. The Career Development Office has truly impressed me with its comprehensive range of services. The availability of personalized coaches for each industry, including peer and adjunct coaches, showcases the immense support provided for internships and full-time recruiting
Learn more about the Weekend MBA Program
