Co-Curriculars
The key to successful, impactful work is partnerships. This is true when implementing a final project, and it is true when hatching a new idea. Students working in multidisciplinary teams generate better ideas, and their work has more impact. Co-curricular social impact activities abound at Michigan Ross and U-M at large, where students to engage in competitions, challenges, and incubators. Below is a listing of the types of programs offered and their time requirements. All programs are open to Ross MBAs, but some are open to other students as well. Also, take a look at our community impact opportunities.
Co-Curricular Event | Info Link | Start | End | App Req? | App Due Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +LAB Fellow | http://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/learning-programs/lab/ | September | February | Yes | Mid September | The +LAB brings together undergraduate and graduate students from across the university in a dynamic extracurricular learning environment designed to: 1) Immerse students in the theory and practice of Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS) and 2) Equip students to apply what they have learned to be organizational change agents. |
| Board Fellowship | https://businessimpact.umich.edu/collaborations/community/nonprofit-board-fellows/ | October | April | Yes | August | The Board Fellowship Program prepares graduate students for mission-driven leadership. Students develop project management and executive skills as board members of nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan. This multidisciplinary program provides graduate students in our partner schools with real-world insight into the workings and procedures of a nonprofit board, and enables students to contribute to the organization’s success while building the tools to deliver social impact. |
| CEO Summer Program Series | https://ceo.umich.edu/sps/ | Yearround | Yearround | No | No application required | CEO provides U-M undergraduate students the opportunity to participate in training that promotes the development of leadership skills and facilitates authentic outreach to students, schools, and communities throughout Michigan. The Summer Programs Series (SPS) brings together faculty and staff from around campus to share ideas, information, resources, and best practices to create meaningful academic enrichment programs. The main SPS event is the annual Summer Programs Summit, which is held in January to highlight the latest trends and timely topics in pre-college and summer program programming. |
| Connect to Community: Volunteer Opportunities, University of Michigan Ginsberg Center | https://connect2community.umich.edu/need/ | Yearround | Yearround | No | No application required | Connect to Community is an online portal created and managed by the Ginsberg Center to connect University of Michigan students with communities around the world through volunteer experiences as well as internships, fellowships, and employment |
| Innovation in Action | https://innovationinaction.umich.edu/ | January | April | Yes | Mid January | The Innovation in Action: Solutions to Real World Challenges competition has two primary goals: 1) To empower students to innovate solutions that address public health and education problems, and 2) To create a safe environment to take risks and move beyond the classroom. This five-month competition will enable teams to move their idea from concept to reality. |
| LDRx | https://sanger.umich.edu/portfolio/ldrx/ | October | March | Yes | Mid September | Meeting once per week with a small group of 4-6 peers, and utilizing a flexible, discussion-based curriculum, you will advance your leadership development and your group's by increasing self-knowledge, experimenting with new ways of leading, reflecting on results, and synthesizing learning. LDRx is co-created with students who are inspired to build community and habits of lifelong leadership development. |
| Learning in Community (LinC) Series | https://ginsberg.umich.edu/article/learning-community-workshop-training-series | Yearround | Yearround | No | No application required | The LinC series is an educational workshop and training series focused on supporting students who are interested in community engagement, social justice, democratic engagement, advocacy, activism and philanthropy. Sessions address one or more of the following areas: Alternative Breaks, Democratic Engagement, Leadership Development, and Reciprocal Community Partnerships |
| Literacy Initiatives | https://ginsberg.umich.edu/article/literacy-initiatives | Yearround | Yearround | No | No application required | Paid opportunities to tutor students in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Ypsilanti through the America Reads work-study program. |
| Literacy Download | https://sessions.studentlife.umich.edu/track/event/11757 | September | October | No | No application required | The +Tech Literacy Download allows students to engage in a month-long series of workshops and presentations run by emerging tech leaders to explore new tech topics. |
| Business+Tech Innovation Jam | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe9uV4U-LRKRoNZcIcb4O4c_d6LwftJhV2Q7UujTIufZLTQ1w/viewform | September | October | Yes | Mid September | The +Tech Innovation Jam is a 6-week program that brings students from across colleges to build innovative solutions on a selected prompt. |
| Michigan Business Challenge | http://zli.umich.edu/michigan-business-challenge | October | February | Yes | Early November | The Michigan Business Challenge (MBC) is a campus-wide, multi-round business plan competition where student teams have the opportunity to win cash prizes totaling over $85,000, gain feedback from leaders in the business community, and expand their business network. |
| Michigan in Washington | https://lsa.umich.edu/michinwash/applicants.html | January for Spring / September for Fall | April for Spring / December for Fall | Yes | Early October for Spring Semester/Mid February for Fall Semester | The MIW program offers an opportunity each year for 45-50 undergraduates from any major to spend a semester (Fall or Winter) in Washington D.C. Students combine coursework with an internship that reflects their particular area of interest (such as American politics, international studies, history, the arts, public health, economics, the media, the environment, science and technology). |
| optiMize | https://www.optimizemi.org/sic | October | February | Yes | Early October | Whether you're passionate about mental health, inclusive education, sustainable energy, or something else entirely, our programs are for you. We provide workshops and events, access to mentors, and up to $20,000 in funding for your team. Most importantly, whether you're a beginner or an experienced innovator, you'll find a supportive community of like-minded students and mentors who want to help you succeed. |
| Public Allies Metro Detroit | http://publicallies.org/ally-application/ | September | July | Yes | Rolling | Deadlines for applications are usually in June. AmeriCorps Allies gain valuable leadership skills and professional experience, set personal and professional goals, receive training and coaching, and plan for their future to help achieve their potential. If you are selected, you are placed with a local nonprofit organization and participate in a full-time, paid apprenticeship for 10 months (in some cases appilications are available for a second consecutive year). |
| Ross Open Road | https://businessimpact.umich.edu/our-programs/ross-open-road/ | May | August | Yes | Mid February | At Ross, we believe in the power of bringing MBA skills to social entrepreneurs around the country. Since 2014, Ross has sent MBAs to participate in Ross Open Road, a program that pairs MBA students with visionary entrepreneurs. Students initiate teams, plan journeys and help social entrepreneurs implement impact at scale. Students have the opportunity to experience social entrepreneurship in practice while traveling to different communities across America. |
| Sanger Story Lab | https://sanger.umich.edu/portfolio/story-lab/ | October | December | Yes | Early October | Story Lab develops executive-level presence and communication skills through storytelling workshops and events. To be an effective leader — at work, in the community, or in your personal life — you must be able to communicate with impact. Often this means telling stories that are meaningful to you and others, and doing so in the rich language and expressive style of a seasoned storyteller. |
| Semester in Detroit Fall | https://lsa.umich.edu/sid | August | December | Yes | Late May | The Semester in Detroit program accepts undergraduate students from all schools and departments at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Completion of the fall program plus one additional required course will meet the requirements for a minor in Urban Studies through the College of Literature, Science and the Arts at the UM-Ann Arbor campus. Spring students are required to take 2 additional courses to complete the Urban Studies minor. The most successful program participants typically have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants should have a strong interest in the city of Detroit and in community-service learning. |
| TechArb Student Venture Accelerator | http://cfe.umich.edu/techarb/ | Yearround | Yearround | No | No application required | TechArb is an accelerator for University of Michigan student entrepreneurs. Teams involved in the program should be highly motivated to build and launch their venture. |
| The Ginsberg Center's Cultivating Community Garden | https://ginsberg.umich.edu/ginsberg-garden | Yearround | Yearround | No | No application required | The UM Sustainable Food Program maintains the Ginsberg Center garden in collaboration with the Campus Farm. Students interested in getting involved should e-mail Cultivating Community. |
| WDI Case Writing Competition | https://wdi-publishing.com/dei-competition-2022/ | September | March | Yes | Late March | This year’s competition celebrates 25 years of the William Davidson Institute’s focus on identifying, adapting and deploying best practices from the private sector to give emerging countries the blueprints for success in a market economy. William Davidson, a proud University of Michigan alumnus, business leader and philanthropic trailblazer, founded the Institute in 1992 with the following vision. |
| Detroit Community Based Research Program | https://lsa.umich.edu/urop/Prospective-Students/summer-programs/detroit-community-engaged-research-program.html | June | August | Yes | Late January | Contact Urop.dcbrp@umich.edu for more information. The Detroit Community Based Research Program (DCBRP) is a social justice focused summer fellowship program run through the University of Michigan Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program that places students with community based organizations in full-time research positions. Students work with community organizations on projects addressing social and environmental justice, food insecurity, human rights, public health, youth development, and more! more! |
| Summer Fund Internships | https://businessimpact.umich.edu/our-programs/internships/ | May | August | Yes | Mid April | Each summer, Business + Impact awards competitive grants for summer internships to MBAs and BBA juniors in the Ross School of Business as well as MPP students in the Ford School of Public Policy. Students completing internships in the nonprofit, public, or private sectors are eligible to apply as long as the organization has a clearly defined social mission. The application for summer internship support will go live in early January. Students will need to complete the application and attach their resume and offer letter. |
| Citizen Interaction Design | https://www.si.umich.edu/programs/engaged-learning/civic-engagement | May | June | Yes | Late March | Citizen Interaction Design (CID) partners rising information professionals with Michigan communities to create information tools for twenty-first century citizens. The CID Summer Fellowship is a nine-week experience supported by mentors from the information/tech industry, experts in civic tech and a cohort of other fellows working in Michigan communities. CID summer fellows gain valuable experience working with public sector leaders to address pressing community issues. |
| Wallenberg Fellowship | https://lsa.umich.edu/onsf/fellowships/university-of-michigan/wallenberg-fellowship.html | December | January | Yes | Early December | Inspired by the spirit of U-M alumnus, Raoul Wallenberg, the Wallenberg Fellowship is awarded each year to a graduating senior of exceptional promise and accomplishment who is committed to service and the public good. The fellowship provides $25,000 to carry out an independent project of learning or exploration anywhere in the world during the year after graduation. |
| Dow Sustainability Fellows | https://graham.umich.edu/dow | January | December | Yes | Late October | Each year, fellows are selected from a pool of candidates nominated by schools and colleges throughout U-M. Each cohort begins in January and concludes in December of the same year. Applications are due on November 4 (4pm) |
| Distinguished Awards for Interdisciplinary Sustainability | http://graham.umich.edu/dow/distinguished-awards | January | December | Yes | Late November | To foster high-impact sustainability collaborations across the University of Michigan, the Dow Sustainability Fellows Program includes a competition for applied sustainability projects that cut across disciplines and academic levels, and involve U-M students at all academic levels. |
| Tauber Community Service Day | https://tauber.umich.edu/news-events/events/community-service-day-2021-virtual | February | February | Yes | February | Leave your classroom or workplace to explore the community in operations. Get away from the familiar to recharge your batteries, have unexpected adventures, meet new people, and come back ready to see your work with fresh eyes. |
| Michigan Investment Challenge | https://zli.umich.edu/michigan-investment-challenge | TBA | TBA | Yes | TBA | Michigan Investment Challenge (MIC) is an investor competition where students play the role of venture capital firms. Student teams evaluate real startup investment options presented by motivated entrepreneurs. The Michigan Investment Challenge is a multi-round competition open to teams of graduate students and teams of undergraduate students from our 19 nationally recognized schools and colleges at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. The goal of MIC is to give students the opportunity to learn about and experience venture capital investing. The rigorous program involves workshops, engagement with Michigan Business Challenge (MBC), written deliverables, direct exposure to outside entrepreneurs seeking funding, Venture Capitalist judges, and the opportunity to compete in intercollegiate competitions (the winning teams are coached and sponsored to travel and compete at Venture Capital Investment Competition graduate regionals and undergraduate regionals). |
| Leader Experience (LDRx) | https://sanger.umich.edu/portfolio/ldrx/ | October | March | Yes | Mid September | Leader Experience (LDRx) is a student-led community that provides you with tools and a community to reflect upon your leadership experiences and take control of your development. You’ll meet once per week with a small group of 4-6 peers, and utilize a flexible, discussion-based curriculum. Throughout the year, you will advance your leadership development and your group’s by increasing self-knowledge, experimenting with new ways of leading, reflecting on results, and synthesizing learning. Students often list LDRx among their most powerful experiences at Ross. The power of your LDRx experience will depend upon your team’s commitment to meeting regularly, completing reflections, and supporting each other’s learning. |
| Ross Leaders Academy (RLA) | https://sanger.umich.edu/portfolio/ross-leaders-academy/ | October | February | Yes | Mid September | The Ross Leaders Academy (RLA) is the Sanger Leadership Center’s premier leadership development community for select students across campus. During the year-long program, you’ll make leadership development a primary focus of your Michigan experience. You’ll learn from diverse peers, receive 1:1 and group coaching, and engage with 30+ years of robust research advanced by the University of Michigan’s innovative faculty. You’ll emerge from RLA more confident, insightful, and with a vision to fuel your emerging career. |
| Leading Inclusive Teams | https://sanger.umich.edu/portfolio/leading-inclusive-teams/ | February | March | Yes | TBA | Leading Inclusive Teams is a six-week learning community, combining asynchronous modules, small group peer-coaching, and live workshops. Gain evidence-based knowledge and practical tools to help you design and lead diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) teams and organizations. Increase your self-awareness of your personal identity in the workplace, gain new skills to identify privilege, mitigate bias, call-in others to crucial conversations, be an active ally, and acquire organizational tools to lead inclusive teams, create equitable organizational processes, and lead D.E.I. strategic changes in your organizations. You’ll meet weekly in a small group of three to six peers to reflect on your DEI journey, practice new skills, apply insights to MAP projects while also participating in full-cohort events. You’ll receive peer-coaching training and serve as a rotating pod meeting facilitator. Along the way, you will be supported by an executive coach to deepen your learning. |
| Crisis Challenge | https://sanger.umich.edu/portfolio/crisis-challenge/ | TBA | TBA | Yes | TBA | Crisis Challenge prepares you to lead in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. You will be immersed in a simulated business and media crisis where you will test your ability to strategize through extreme turbulence, think on your feet, and demonstrate poise under pressure. You and your team will play the part of senior executives tasked with responding to the crisis as it unfolds: you’ll receive emails, social media updates, phone calls and more throughout Thursday night. Then, on Friday, you’ll come to Michigan Stadium to present your strategy to your board of directors (made up of esteemed U-M alums), journalists, and the public. Along the way, you’ll receive personalized feedback from business leaders, communication coaches, and faculty experts. |
| Magnify Immersion Program | https://positiveorgs.bus.umich.edu/learning-programs/magnify/application/ | May | June | Yes | December | What is the Magnify Immersion Program? A spring semester academic course (MO 355) that brings Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS) to U-M’s best and brightest students in order to learn, identify, and employ the principles and practices that empowers people to: – Create positive work environments – Improve their workplace culture – Discover untapped possibilities |
| FinTech Challenge | https://businesstech.bus.umich.edu/event/tech-2022-fintech-challenge/ | January | February | Yes | January | A competition to build a cryptocurrency based solution on a cross functional team of SI, Ross, and Engineering students. Through this immersive experience teams will have the opportunity to increase understanding of fintech entrepreneurship, cryptocurrency, and technology through action based learning. |
| Global Activities Scholars Program | https://ssw.umich.edu/offices/global-activities/scholars-program | May | August | Yes | Early March | The Global Activities Scholars Program (GASP) is a unique opportunity for students interested in working with individuals, communities, and organizations in a global context as part of their On-Campus MSW program. Up to twelve incoming students will be selected each year to complete a global field placement during the spring/summer term (May – August). The purpose of the program is to provide students committed to global social work practice an opportunity to live in a foreign country while completing a part of their field placement requirement. |
