News

December 2024 NewsletterThe December 2024 Newsletter covers Impact Studio Course, DNEP Courses, News from the Impact Studio, and more!

An Exhibit Opening for the Artist Pay Project in the Impact StudioThe University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative, along with the Ross Impact Studio, co-hosted an opening night for the exhibit "Making it: $napshots from the Artist Pay Project by Makeda Easter" on Friday, November 15th in the Impact Studio at Ross.

Impact Courses You Won’t Want to Miss in Winter 2025A list of social impact and sustainability courses curated by Business+Impact for students in Winter 2025.

November 2024 NewsletterThe November 2024 Newsletter covers the Impact Studio Course, Gordon Scholars, Student Ambassadors, a new podcast on ESG, and more!

How Founder-Fellow Connections are Fueling the Impact Studio FireAs November rolls around, the Impact Studio is reaching a key midway point in the semester. Fellows now float between Founders within each cohort to provide specific expertise as ventures encounter challenges.

Podcast: Is ESG Just a Marketing Scam?In this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Niala Boodhoo, host of Axios Today, interviews Tariq Fancy, BlackRock’s first global chief investment officer for sustainable investing and founder of the Rumie Initiative.

Four MBAs Receive 2024-25 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarshipsusiness+Impact (B+I) is pleased to announce that Shailee Ghelani (MBA ’25), Ashraf Jaber (MBA ’25), Yashvi Patel (MBA ’25), and Alex Ricketts (MBA/MS ’25, Erb) are the recipients of the 2024-25 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarships for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges.

October 2024 NewsletterThe October 2024 Newsletter covers the ESG Challenge, Impact Studio Founders & Fellows, Board Fellows and more!

Meet the Fall 2024 Impact Studio Cohort!This academic year brings a new studio space, a new overhauled program, and a new group of Fellows and Founders to the Impact Studio — our largest cohort ever! From African languages AI to entry-level engineering aid, these ventures are more global and innovative than ever before.

Behind the Scenes at the Impact Studio’s BootcampThe culmination of months of planning and dreaming came to fruition as the Impact Studio kicked off the year with a three-day, intensive bootcamp, putting to the test Founders and Fellows alike in a series of design challenges.

Business+Impact’s 24-25 Board Fellows and Nonprofit PartnersDuring the 2024-25 academic year, participants in Business+Impact’s 25th annual Board Fellows program will serve as non-voting members of local nonprofit boards while completing major projects.

The Impact Studio is Leveling Up (literally)Three-course meals at the Black Pearl. Mentorship from the Boston Consulting Group. A cohort double the size, with ventures that focus on all corners of the world. Safe to say, the Impact Studio at Ross Business+Impact is reaching new heights — complete with a new space on the third floor of the Ross School of Business, with floor-to-ceiling windows.

September 2024 NewsletterThe September 2024 Newsletter covers Board Fellows recruitment, Impact Studio Founders and Fellows, the B+I Showcase, Gordon Impact Scholarships and more!

August 2024 NewsletterThe August 2024 Newsletter covers Board Fellows recruitment, Impact Studio Founders and Fellows, the B+I Showcase, impact internship stories from the summer, Plucky Comics, and more!

Impact Course Highlights for Fall ’24Learn about the options of impact courses for impact students this Fall 2024

Ice Cream Nachos and Consulting: A Match Made in HeavenCarlie Peterman is a rising junior at the Ross School of Business who grew up with farm animals and cornfields, and now is working with Detroit small businesses for ten weeks with DNEP.

Socent Spotlight: Plucky ComicsSocent Spotlights are a series on U-M alumni who have created social enterprises and continue the work of entrepreneurship after graduation. In this post, we focus on Plucky Comics, a company specializing in telling the stories of Black Queer people through comic books.

Summer 2024 NewsletterCheck out our new Summer newsletter, with news about Nonprofit Recruiting, impact interns we are currently sponsoring, the experience of a student in DNEP's Impact Studio for Local Business, Ross's work in disability DEI, and impact in the community.

Revitalizing Roots: A Detroit Native’s Experience From Family Legacy to Community ImpactAs a Detroit native, I have always had the desire to work and make a change throughout the city I have called home. Through the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project’s summer internship program, Impact Studio for Local Business, I am proud to say that I am now working with the small businesses that I used to drive past, supporting Detroit neighborhoods.

2024 Summer Impact InternsThis year, Business+Impact is supporting 21 students through its Summer Fund, and 36 U-M students overall in a variety of summer internship experiences.

Podcast: ESG — At Home in Europe and Soon, the WorldIn this episode of Social Impact Design for Business, Jerry Davis of Michigan Ross' +Impact Studio interviews Kim Dabbs, Global VP of ESG and Social Innovation at Steelcase and best-selling author of "You Belong Here."

At UM or in India, Ross Students are Creating Community and Opportunity for People with DisabilitiesIn 2023, Ross recognized the Business Leaders for Diverse Abilities Club as the Michigan Ross Club of the Year and DEI in Action, and just this past month, BBA Kayla Rothstein received a Ross DEI Award for her thesis on the hiring and keys to success for workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, specifically in India. 

Impact Studio’s First Prototype Demo Day Sparks Social InnovationThe Impact Studio hosted its first-ever “Prototype Demo Day,” — a day focused on showcasing prototypes for student ventures to various experts within the University of Michigan ecosystem and beyond, including leadership from the Applebaum Family Philanthropy.

Skip and Carrie Gordon Visit with Their Scholarship RecipientsSkip and Carrie Gordon visited with Robin F. Baker (MBA ’24), Jill Dannis (MBA/MS ’24, Erb), and Elijah Forrester (MBA/MS ’24, Erb)--recipients of this year's $7500 Gordon Scholarships.

April 2024 NewsletterNews from the Impact Studio, Impact Internship Funding, Nonprofit Recruiting, Congrats to Grads, Student Loan Repayment Program, Internship Opportunity.

March 2024 NewsletterMarch 2024: Summer Impact Internship Funding, Giving Blueday, Affirmative wins MBC Seigle Impact Track, Board Fellows Onsite, Ross Events, Impact in the Community.

2023-24 Board Fellows Learn by ExperienceThe 2023-24 Board Fellowship Program has featured students from Ross, Ford, School of Social Work, Public Health, and other programs who have developed project management and executive skills as board members of nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan.

February 2024 NewsletterFebruary 2024: Panel on Nonprofit Fundraising, Summer Internship Funding, and B+I in the News

Ross School of Business to boost Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs ProjectThe University of Michigan's Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project, which has helped nearly 700 small businesses since its introduction in 2016, has moved to the Ross School of Business from its long-time home at the Ford School of Public Policy.

Michigan Ross Announces New ESG Concentration for Full-Time MBA StudentsThe Ross School of Business recently introduced a new environmental, social, and governance concentration for interested Full-Time MBA students.

January 2024 NewsletterESG Workshop Series, +Impact Studio Podcast and Video, Impact Internships, Impact Career Symposium, MLK Events, and more!

Ross School to boost neighborhood entrepreneurs in DetroitThe University of Michigan’s Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project has moved to the Stephen M. Ross School of Business from its longtime home at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Give-A-Day Fund Receives CASE AwardThe Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has announced that the Michigan Ross Give-A-Day Fund has received a Circle of Excellence Award for its work in funding impact interns.

Spotlight: Karen Yocky (MPP/MBA ’18)Karen Yocky (MPP/MBA '18) is serving in a leadership role with Net Impact at Ross, she has participated in our Student Advisory Board and in the Social Impact Challenge.

Three MBAs Receive 2023-24 Skip and Carrie Gordon ScholarshipsBusiness+Impact (B+I) is pleased to announce that Robin F. Baker (MBA ’24), Jill Dannis (MBA/MS ’24, Erb),  and Elijah Forrester (MBA/MS ’24, Erb) are the recipients of the 2023-24 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarships for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges.

December 2023 NewsletterOur December newsletter has info on the +Impact Studio Idea Day, DNEP Holiday Market and Winter courses, the Ross Impact Gala, Ross competitions and DEI proposals, and more!

November 2023 NewsletterOur November newsletter has info on the +Impact Studio Winter '24 course, ESG Work Panel, new B+I Student Ambassadors, news from student start-up Sea Spider, DNEP, and more!

Don’t Miss Out on the Accounting Magic Workshops and Free Accounting FridaysDNEP will lead four accounting workshops in 2023-2024 in the community at Detroit partner sites to help businesses establish strong financial practices and get investment-ready. No application is required, but registration is required.

Design Equitable Enterprises in the Winter +Impact Studio CourseThe +Impact Studio graduate course (BA670) prepares students to be architects of an equitable, just, and sustainable future. In Winter ’24, this award-winning course will focus on the green energy transition.

Impact Courses You Won’t Want to Miss in Winter 2024This is our special listing of highlighted impact courses being offered in Winter 2024.  For a complete listing of all impact courses available to students in Winter 2024, please look at our Impact Gateway Course listing, where you will find over 500 impact courses!

Jerry Davis delivers lecture on creating green energy and equitable enterpriseAbout 40 people gathered to hear Jerry Davis, the Gilbert and Ruth Whitaker professor of business administration, present a lecture titled Creating Green Energy and Equitable Enterprise in Detroit on Oct. 20.

Three MBAs Receive 2023-24 Skip and Carrie Gordon ScholarshipsANN ARBOR – Oct. 23, 2022 – Business+Impact (B+I) is pleased to announce that Robin F. Baker (MBA ’24), Jill Dannis (MBA/MS ’24, Erb), and Elijah Forrester (MBA/MS ’24, Erb) are the recipients of the 2023-24 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarships for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges. The award comes with $7,500 for each recipient. Gordon Scholars serve as B+I Student Ambassadors for the 2023-24 academic year.

October 2023 NewsletterOur October 2023 newsletter covers the +Impact Studio Founders and Fellows, B+I Board Fellows, new ESG Concentration at Michigan Ross, Dolly Chugh lecture, Employee Ownership.

Business+Impact’s 23-24 Board Fellows and Nonprofit PartnersDuring the 2023-24 academic year, participants in Business+Impact’s 24th annual Board Fellows program will serve as non-voting members of local nonprofit boards while completing major projects.

Sixth Annual Business+Impact Showcase Highlights UM Impact OrganizationsB+I welcomed incoming and returning students to its sixth annual Business+Impact Showcase on Thurs, Sept. 7 from 11 am – 1 pm at Michigan Ross’ Tauber Colloquium.

September 2023 NewsletterThe September 2023 Newsletter features Nonprofit Recruiting, DNEP +Impact Studio for Local Business, Impact Internships, Team Human Podcast, Ross Open Road, Detroit 75 Kitchen, and more!

2023 Interns Discuss “What We Did on Our Summer Vacation”In the summer of 2022, Business+Impact provided funding for 44 University of Michigan in a broad spectrum of internship-style opportunities with a variety of organizations, in both virtual and on-site experiences.

Ross Open Road a Success in 2023This May, three teams of Michigan Ross MBAs spent the month consulting for social entrepreneurs across the United States about the business challenges they face. These intrepid travelers of Open Road at Ross — powered by Ford — were focused on everything from composting to tea shops.

Find out where the impact interns we helped fund are working this summerThis year, Business+Impact’s Summer Fund is financially supporting the summer impact internships of 28 University of Michigan students, and overall we are supporting 44 U-M students in several types of summer experiences.

Students Showcase Sustainability Ideas in +Impact Studio CourseStudents Showcase Sustainability Ideas in +Impact Studio Course

Harshita Pilla (Ross MBA ’23) Selected as Best and Brightest by Poets & QuantsHarshita Pilla (Ross MBA '23) has been selected as a Poets & Quants "Best and Brightest," as a serial hobbyist striving to build and uplift diverse communities.

Michigan Ross Business+Impact Team Empowers Students to be Architects of an Equitable and Sustainable FutureMore exciting and innovative ideas are coming out of the Michigan Ross +Impact Studio.

Impact Courses You Won’t Want to Miss in Fall 2023Learn about Fall 2023 courses on Base of the Pyramid, impact courses, impact lab, Problem Solving Initiative, Living Business Leadership, Economics of Sustainability, etc.

2022-23 Board Fellows Learn about NonprofitsThe 2022-23 Board Fellowship Program was every bit as successful as in recent years. Students from Ross, Ford, School of Social Work, Public Health, and other programs developed project management and executive skills as board members of nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan.

U-M students create new how-to guides and equitable business models for green energy businessesBA670: +Impact Studio Designing Equitable Enterprises, teaches teams of grad students from all majors how to use equity-centered design thinking to develop businesses that improve communities. This year’s focus is on the green energy transition in Detroit.

New +Impact Studio Applebaum Impact Design Fellows Bring Expert Knowledge and Passion to VenturesAfter a rigorous application process, the new Fellows selected include Ogochukwu Okoye for finding joi, Rebekah Lim for Grow Together (G2G), and Jonathan Amos for Affirmative. (previously named Lifeboat).

Sea Spider Wins Michigan Business Challenge Seigle Impact Track 2023The winner of the 2023 Michigan Business Challenge - Seigle Impact Track is SeaSpider – (Joe Huang, CS ’22; Adam Zhang, BS Environment ’23) a student run company aiming to improve the identification of abandoned fishing nets in sensitive coral reefs.

U-M startup joins White House partnership to remove lead pipesBlueConduit helped accelerate the removal of dangerous lead pipes in Flint and now has joined a White House partnership aimed at replacing all of the nation’s lead service lines in a decade.

Michigan Business Challenge – Seigle Impact Track Semi-Final WinnersThe Michigan Business Challenge (MBC), a campus-wide, multi-round business plan competition has announced the four student teams advancing to the Seigle Impact Track Finals.

SBN Detroit publishes article on Winter ’23 Impact Studio Course (BA 670)Today, SBN Detroit published an article entitled, "Helping Detroiters Create New Businesses for a More Equitable World: University of Michigan Students Set Out to Design Equitable Enterprises this Semester"

Four MBAs Receive 2022-23 Skip and Carrie Gordon ScholarshipsANN ARBOR – Oct. 12, 2022 – Business+Impact (B+I) is pleased to announce that Summer Abiad (MBA ’23), Connor Donnelly (MBA/MS ’23), Harshita Pilla (MBA/MURP ’23), and Joss Woodhead (MBA ’23) are the recipients of the 2022-23 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarships for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges. The award comes with $7,500 for each recipient. Gordon Scholars serve as B+I Student Ambassadors for the 2022-23 academic year.

Business+Impact’s 22-23 Board Fellows and Nonprofit PartnersDuring the 2022-23 academic year, participants in Business+Impact’s 23rd annual Board Fellows program will serve as non-voting members of local nonprofit boards while completing major projects

2022 Internship ExperiencesIn the summer of 2022, Business+Impact provided funding for 57 University of Michigan in a broad spectrum of internship-style opportunities with a variety of organizations, in both virtual and on-site experiences.

A Record Number of MBAs Take Part in Ross Open RoadThis Spring, six teams of Michigan Ross MBAs spent a month helping social entrepreneurs across the United States with the business challenges they face.

2022 Impact Internships Reach Across the USAThis year, Business+Impact’s Summer Fund is financially supporting the summer impact internships of 29 University of Michigan students, and overall we are supporting 57 U-M students in several types of summer experiences.

Three MBAs Receive 2021-22 Skip and Carrie Gordon ScholarshipsANN ARBOR – Oct. 12, 2021 – Business+Impact (B+I) is pleased to announce that Nathan Alston (MBA ’22), J’Taime Lyons (MBA/MPP ’22), and Elizabeth Wallace (MBA/MS ’22) were chosen to receive the 2021-22 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarships for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges through their studies. These three recipients were chosen from over twenty-five applicants, and the announcement comes with a $5,000 award for each recipient.

Business+Impact’s 21-22 Board Fellows and Nonprofit PartnersDuring the 2021-22 academic year, participants in Business+Impact’s Board Fellows program will attend monthly board meetings at local nonprofits as non-voting members and complete a major strategic project.

2021 Internship ExperiencesIn the summer of 2021, Business+Impact provided funding for 55 University of Michigan internship opportunities with a broad spectrum of organizations. Students from Ross and Ford developed their skills while helping mission-driven organizations in Detroit and around the world.

Open Road at Ross Allows MBAs to Consult with Detroit Social EntrepreneursJune 14, 2021, Ann Arbor, MI – Three teams of Ross MBAs spent the month of May helping three major social entrepreneurs in Detroit, MI with the business challenges they face.

2021 Impact Internships Cover the Region, the WorldThis year, Business+Impact is financially supporting the summer impact internship experiences of 55 University of Michigan students, more than ever before.

Three MBAs Pick up 2020-21 Skip and Carrie Gordon ScholarshipsANN ARBOR – Oct. 7, 2020 – Business+Impact (B+I) is pleased to announce that Claire Babilonia (MBA ’21), Tieranny Baker (MBA ’21) and Kevin Finnegan (MBA ’21) were chosen to receive the 2020-21 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarships for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges through learning. These three recipients were chosen from over thirty applicants, and the announcement comes with a $5,000 award for each recipient.

Business+Impact Announces Its 20-21 Board Fellows and Nonprofit PartnersAgain in the 2020-21 academic year, in the face of a coronavirus pandemic, Business+Impact is running Board Fellows program, now in its seventeenth year.

2020 Internship ExperiencesIn the summer of 2020, Business+Impact provided extra funding for a number of internship opportunities with a broad spectrum of organizations. Students from Ross and Ford developed their skills while helping mission-driven organizations in Detroit and around the world.

2020 Summer Fund Interns Will Virtually Impact the WorldEach 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. MBA funding comes from the Give-A-Day Fund, a Ross MBA pay-it-forward fund.

2019-20 Board Fellows Learn about NonprofitsThe 2019-20 Board Fellowship Program was every bit as successful as in recent years. Students from Ross, Ford, School of Social Work, Public Health, and other programs developed project management and executive skills as board members of nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan.

Here are the Three MBA Women Who Received This Year’s Skip and Carrie Gordon ScholarshipsANN ARBOR – Oct. 11, 2019 – Business+Impact (B+I) is pleased to announce that Sheetal Singh (MBA ’20), Emma Smith (MBA ’20) and Ivy Wei (MBA/MS ’20) were chosen to receive the 2019-20 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarships for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges through learning. These three recipients were chosen from nearly thirty applicants, and the announcement comes with a $5,000 award for each recipient.

Business+Impact Announces the 19-20 Board Fellows and Nonprofit PartnersMeet the 2019-20 Board Fellows & Nonprofit Partners.

Past “Roads”Now well-established, the Ross Open Road program has steadily increased in popularity with MBAs. This student-run program is co-sponsored by Business+Impact, Zell Lurie Institute, Sanger Leadership Center, the Erb Institute and the Ross MBA Program Office.

2019 Internship ExperiencesIn the summer of 2019, Business+Impact provided extra funding for a number of internship opportunities with a broad spectrum of organizations. Students from Ross and Ford developed their skills while helping mission-driven organizations in Detroit and around the world.

We Funded 21 Interns at Impact Orgs – Where Are They Now?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. Below is a list of recipients and where they will be working this summer.

Twelve MBAs Hit the Open RoadThree teams of four MBAs each are preparing to embark on road trips across America in May. They’re part of Open Road at Ross – Powered by Ford, an action-based social entrepreneurship program developed by Ross students for Ross students.

2018-19 Board Fellows on the Road to LeadershipThe 2018-19 Board Fellowship Program was our biggest and most competitive program in years. Students from Ross, Ford, School of Social Work, Public Health, and other programs developed project management and executive skills as board members of nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan.

Business+Impact Announces the 18-19 Board FellowsMeet the 2018-19 Board Fellows and Nonprofit Partners.

Four MBAs Receive 2018-19 Skip and Carrie Gordon ScholarshipsBusiness+Impact (B+I) is pleased to announce that Tim Carter (MBA), Apoorva Kanneganti (MBA), Christopher Owen (MBA/MS), and Nathan Stevens (MBA) are the recipients of the 2018-19 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarships for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges.

2018 Internship ExperiencesIn the summer of 2018, Business+Impact had a number of internship opportunities with a broad spectrum of organizations. Students from Ross, and Ford, developed their skills while helping mission-driven organizations in Detroit and around the world.

Twelve MBAs prepare to Hit the Open RoadThree teams of four MBAs each are preparing to embark on road trips across America in May 2018. They’re part of Ross Open Road, an action-based social entrepreneurship program developed by Ross students.

2017-18 Board Fellows Gain Insight, ExperienceThe 2018 Board Fellowship Program was one of our biggest and most competitive programs all year. Students from Ross, Ford, School of Social Work, Public Health, and other programs developed project management and executive skills as board members of nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan.

Colleen Hill Receives Skip and Carrie Gordon ScholarshipANN ARBOR – Jan. 23, 2017 – Business+Impact is pleased to announce that Colleen Hill (MBA/MS ’19) recently received the 2017-18 Skip and Carrie Gordon Scholarship for outstanding commitment to solving complex social challenges through learning. But even before receiving this $5,000 award, she was a Summer Fund Intern, a Ross Open Road Fellow, and a Social Impact Peer Coach.

2017 Interns Gained Invaluable ExperienceIn the summer of 2017, Business+Impact had a number of internship opportunities with a broad spectrum of organizations. Students from Ross, Ford, School of Social Work, Natural Resources, and other programs developed their skills while helping mission-driven organizations in Detroit and around the world.

2016-17 Board Fellows Gain Insight, ExperienceThe 2017 Board Fellowship program was one of our biggest and most competitive programs all year. Students from Ross, Ford, School of Social Work, School of School of Public Health, and other programs developed project management and executive skills as board members of nonprofit organizations in Southeast Michigan.