Where Data Meets Leadership: Meet the Michigan Ross Master of Business Analytics Class of 2026
In June, the Ross School of Business welcomed a new cohort of talented students to its Master of Business Analytics Program.
The Michigan Ross MBAn Class of 2026 comprises 53 students from 23 undergraduate institutions. Forty-six percent of the class is women, and the students represent several different undergraduate major backgrounds in the STEM fields, ranging from computer science to engineering. The class also comes to Ross with a highly impressive academic record, with an incoming GPA of 3.65.
This cohort of students will be the fourth to complete the 10-month program at Michigan Ross since the degree was added as a One-Year Master’s option in 2022. The MBAn degree continues to demonstrate strong real-world value, equipping students with the skills they need to stand out in today’s competitive job market. Graduates consistently achieve impressive career outcomes, with 94% of reporting alums securing job offers within six months of graduation and landing roles at companies like Amazon, EY Parthenon, and Mastercard.
Below, meet four members of the MBAn Class of 2026.
Suhast Poonia, MBAn ’26
Hometown
Bikaner, Rajasthan, India
Undergraduate school and major
Manipal University Jaipur, Bachelor of Technology in computer and communication engineering
What is your post-graduation career interest?
Consulting, digital marketing, strategy, and business operations, especially roles that translate analytics into go-to-market and growth decisions.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MBAn Program?
I’ve spent the last few years in digital marketing, where I saw how better data could sharpen creative strategy. The 10-month, STEM-designated MBAn gives me the focused, real-world training to make that pivot. The Consulting Studio, in particular, lets me pressure-test classroom learning on a live company problem and lead through ambiguity.
What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort?
I flourish where people and data collide. Whether rallying a team for a campaign or recognizing that a tweak in targeting can shift engagement, I thrive on turning insights into action. My time in influencer marketing taught me to lead through collaboration. It’s about knowing when to listen, when to guide, and when to pivot. I bring that adaptability and connection-forward mindset to every project.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am excited to work on my predictive/prescriptive analytics skills and the business application coursework, while learning alongside classmates who’ll challenge my thinking. I’m also planning to pursue the Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement through the Sanger Leadership Center and to build a strong, cross-industry professional network grounded in collaboration and real work.
How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?
I see Ross as the place where my creative marketing background and new analytical skills will come together. In the short term, I want to step into consulting or strategy roles where I can use data to solve real business problems. In the long term, I want to lead growth and operations for consumer-tech brands, building strategies and teams that turn insights into measurable impact.
Esbeida Garcia, MBAn '26
Hometown
Lyons, Illinois
Undergraduate school and major
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, bachelor of science in information sciences
What is your post-graduation career interest?
Digital strategy, market research, and business intelligence.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MBAn Program?
I decided to enroll in this program because of the well-rounded, analytical curriculum that the MBAn Program offers and the various resources available to students at Ross. What drew me most to this program was the Consulting Studio and being able to collaborate with my peers on an application-based project throughout the semester. I think that this is a great way to gain hands-on experience that can be directly transferable to my future career.
What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort?
As a first-generation student, I have developed a strong appreciation for the value of education and the importance of making the most of every opportunity. Graduating from undergrad a year early reflects my sense of perseverance and self-motivation. I also bring a collaborative mindset that values diverse perspectives and learning from others.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I’m looking forward to combining my technical skills with a deeper understanding of business strategy. In particular, I’m excited to take electives in digital marketing and customer analytics that closely align with my career goals. I’m also looking forward to learning from distinguished faculty whose expertise and industry experience will contribute to expanding my knowledge.
How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?
I think that my experience at Ross will significantly impact my future and provide me with many opportunities, even after the program. Ross has already introduced me to great peers, faculty, and alumni who are making a positive impact in their industries. I’m positive that the knowledge, skills, and connections I build here will help me with long-term success in my career.
Maxwell Moore, MBAn ’26
Hometown
Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Undergraduate school and major
Queens University, Honours in mathematics and psychology
What is your post-graduation career interest?
Consultant/business analyst
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MBAn Program?
I've been a lifelong Michigan sports fan, so I already had deep respect for the university's culture of excellence. When researching programs, the prestigious reputation of Ross and world-class faculty made it stand out immediately. The school's strong connections to top-tier companies and track record of producing analytics leaders aligned perfectly with my career goals. I was also drawn to the opportunity to work alongside a cohort of like-minded individuals who share similar interests and career aspirations in analytics. The reputation of Ross, combined with practical business applications, creates the ideal environment to develop the skills necessary to achieve analytics leadership positions.
What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort?
My unique background in mathematics and psychology gives me a different lens for approaching analytics problems — I understand the numbers and the human decision-making processes behind them. My ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and create inclusive environments where everyone feels comfortable contributing will be valuable in group projects and team settings throughout the program.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
The chance to learn from both world-class faculty and like-minded classmates who are all working toward similar goals in this field will be invaluable. The opportunity to take classes that focus on building practical skills for real-world business challenges is what drew me to this program. And of course, I'm really excited about football Saturdays and finally getting to experience game days at the Big House as a student!
How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?
I believe the combination of technical skills, strategic business knowledge, and leadership development at Ross will completely transform my career trajectory. The relationships I build with my classmates will become a valuable professional network as we enter different industries and companies. Having the Michigan Ross brand and education behind me will open doors that wouldn't have been available otherwise, and the practical experience will give me the confidence to tackle complex business challenges and position me for leadership roles in analytics.
Anneliese Ferguson, MBAn ’26
Hometown
Traverse City, Michigan
Undergraduate school and major
University of Michigan College of Engineering, computer science
What is your post-graduation career interest?
I'm drawn to market research and data analytics roles that focus on the human side of data, using insights to understand people and solve real-world, meaningful business challenges.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Michigan Ross MBAn Program?
When I decided to pursue a graduate degree, Ross was an easy choice. As a proud alum of U-M, I have experienced firsthand the institution's commitment to excellence, and Ross is no exception. With an incredible reputation, world-class faculty, and hands-on curriculum, joining the Ross community was the perfect continuation of my educational journey.
What strengths/unique perspectives do you bring to your cohort?
My engineering background brings a distinctive technical lens to the cohort. I'm trained to deconstruct complex problems and think systematically about solutions. These are skills that can offer a different perspective when collaborating with classmates from various industries and backgrounds. Beyond this technical side, what really drives me is my love for learning and connecting with people. I view these as my greatest strengths, and I believe that when brought to a team environment, they can help improve how we work together and drive our shared success.
What are you most looking forward to in the program and at Ross?
I am especially looking forward to working with the faculty. During my undergraduate studies, I pursued a minor in business through Michigan Ross, and I was deeply impressed not only by the quality of teaching but also by the level of faculty engagement with students. Their commitment to both current projects and future research left a strong impression on me and played a major role in my decision to return to Ross for my One-Year Master’s Program.
How do you think this experience at Ross will impact your future?
I believe my experience at Ross will have a profound impact on my future, but the greatest influence will come from the network I build here. This includes not only the exceptional faculty but also the peers I will engage with on a daily basis. I am confident that we will all go on to achieve great things and that we will have opportunities to support one another along the way. For this reason, I believe the network I develop at Ross will be the most lasting and meaningful part of my experience
