{"id":6295,"date":"2026-04-29T11:12:42","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T15:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rossweb.bus.umich.edu\/faculty-staff-blog\/?p=6295"},"modified":"2026-04-29T14:24:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T18:24:23","slug":"april-2026-message-from-the-dean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rossweb.bus.umich.edu\/faculty-staff-blog\/2026\/04\/29\/april-2026-message-from-the-dean\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2026 Message from the Dean"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear Colleagues,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Graduation season is officially upon us! As we celebrate the accomplishments of our students and cheer them on as they get ready for their next chapter, I want to thank everyone in the Michigan Ross community for all you have contributed to their experiences here. When I hold my student office hours in the Winter Garden, students regularly come by to share a story about a faculty or staff member who went above and beyond to inspire, connect, or help them with a difficult situation. Even small acts, like recalling a past conversation about a student\u2019s professional and personal goals, can have a lasting impact as our students reflect on their time at Ross and look ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for the specifics, our Michigan Ross Commencement<\/a> is this Friday, May 1, at 3:30 p.m. in Crisler Center. Jenny Just, BBA \u201990, is our featured Commencement speaker. She is co-founder and managing partner of PEAK6 Investments, a diversified financial services and technology firm. We\u2019ll also hear from our graduating student speakers: Jiya Sheth, BBA \u201926; Pavithraa Sudhakar, MM \u201926; Cory Phinney, MBA \u201926; and Rahul Narain, MBA \u201926. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In other news, work is moving forward on our new Michigan Ross Los Angeles campus, with construction on track to wrap up in the next few weeks. In late March, I hosted our Ross School Advisory Board meeting in Los Angeles, and we toured the new space. These facilities will allow us to better serve our EMBA students, executive education clients, and alumni and friends across the West Coast, in Asia, and beyond.\u00a0While we were there, we also heard from a panel of Executive MBA alums and current students who reflected on their experiences in the Ross LA EMBA Program. Back in Ann Arbor, work continues on the Executive Learning and Conference Center and Wyly Hall<\/a>, and we look forward to reopening that space in 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time of year is also about recognizing the people who make Ross what it is. Thank you to everyone who attended the Ross Access and Opportunity Awards earlier this week. These awards celebrate exemplary research, teaching, and community impact that advance access and opportunity at Ross. A special thank you to the Office of Community, Culture, and Belonging for their hard work in planning and coordinating such a meaningful event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As this season of celebration continues, we will have another opportunity to recognize the contributions and hard work of our colleagues at the annual Faculty and Staff Awards. This event will take place on Monday, May 4, from noon to 2 p.m. in Tauber Colloquium. I hope you’re able to join us. You may RSVP here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While celebrating milestones and achievements, we\u2019re also building momentum for the academic year ahead. On April 9-10, we welcomed incoming Full-Time MBA students to campus for Go Blue Rendezvous<\/a>. More than 200 admitted students and 35 partners attended this year, touring campus, learning about student clubs and ways to get involved, and participating in career and leadership sessions with our Career Development Office and Sanger Leadership Center. A huge thank you to the faculty and staff who made this event possible. For many students, Go Blue Rendezvous is their first experience on campus, helping set the tone, build connections, and strengthen their sense of community well before classes begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, I welcome the chance to connect with you during office hours, which are listed on the dean\u2019s office webpage<\/a>. I will hold office hours in the Davidson Winter Garden on May 13 from 4:15-5 p.m., and via Zoom<\/a> on May 29 from 4:15-5 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you again for everything you do for our students and for each other. I\u2019m grateful to be part of this community with you. Go Blue!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kind regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharon<\/p>\n