Q&A: Michigan Ross Faculty and Staff Give Back to the Community
Michigan Ross is full of caring and compassionate individuals who give back to the community throughout the year. Supporting the communities we serve is also an important focus area for the school.
In October, Dean Matusik shared plans for three community service volunteer events based on our grand challenges: equitable access to opportunities, technology disruption, and climate and sustainability. These activities aim to engage faculty and staff in these important causes and deepen our connections with area organizations that are also working to make a positive impact in the community.
Here’s more about the first schoolwide community service event and how other individuals across our school have given back this year.
Heather Cooper, executive assistant to the dean, Office of the Dean
The first schoolwide volunteer opportunity, focused on equitable access, took place on Nov. 16 in partnership with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. Nine faculty and staff came together that day to assist caseworkers by speaking with individuals staying at the shelter and learning about their needs so that the staff there could better support them. This was a very meaningful experience that helped the individuals better access services and helped the volunteers better understand the challenges some people face in accessing economic opportunities.
Elizabeth Lamott, interim HR manager, Ross Human Resources
On Oct. 18, the Ross HR team spent the day building connections and giving back during a memorable team-building outing. We started with a GIVE 365 volunteer project at Fuller Park in Ann Arbor, channeling our inner artists to paint vibrant planter boxes and add a splash of color to the community. GIVE365 is an Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Department program that focuses on enhancing local parks and public spaces.
Claire Wagner, our senior HR assistant, was the mastermind behind this well-organized day, ensuring everything went off without a hitch. The rest of the team — Tiffani Garth, Terese Leger, Libbie Lamott, Teresa Purnama, Alyssa Romig, Anna Ruszkiewicz, Chantale Stevenson, and LaDonna Williams — came together to make the day both productive and fun.
Allison Correll, senior event manager, Ross Events
This year, I had the pleasure of serving on the Ross Holiday Sharing Program Committee. The Ross Holiday Sharing Program is an opportunity for faculty and staff to give back to the community during the holiday season. We partner with the Ann Arbor Public Schools to help fulfill the holiday wishes of students and their families. The school district sends us a list of families they work with to ensure they have essentials like warm clothing, snow boots, toys, games, and other items that bring joy.
This year, we had a fantastic outcome, with over 190 wishes fulfilled and $1,270 in gift cards donated. The gift cards will be used to fulfill more wishes and given directly to families to help cover needed expenses. Eight families and 25 kids benefited from the generosity of more than 80 staff and faculty who purchased gifts. Some teams, including the One-Year Master’s Program Office and Office of Advancement, pooled resources to donate multiple gifts as an office.
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed — whether you donated, volunteered your time, or helped wrap gifts at the Ross Holiday Party. Your support made a real difference; we couldn’t have done it without you.
Annaliese Fowler, senior program coordinator, Business+Impact
I am the co-chair of the board of directors of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Detroit, an organization that aims to provide networking and professional development opportunities for social impact professionals in the Detroit area. In this volunteer position, I lead our board meetings, guide strategic conversations, and serve as an ambassador of our mission: to promote a diverse and innovative next generation of leadership among social impact professionals in Metro Detroit.
Becoming a board member is a great way to give back to your community, offer your professional skills while building new strengths, and grow your network. I have realized that many don’t join boards until they are far along in their careers or even retired. Therefore, I have become passionate about educating and encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with nonprofit boards. This is the primary reason I found my role with Business+Impact, through which I work to provide nonprofit governance experiences to University of Michigan graduate students. I am always happy to talk with any staff, faculty, or students who are interested in board service!
