Director’s Message
It is summer in Ann Arbor, and things are quiet –but not for long Although the sidewalks are peaceful and the emails have slowed, this year’s Summer Bridge Scholars are already on campus and the rush of the semester will not be far behind.
This has been a busy year for Organizational Studies We hired a new senior faculty member and two new staff Martin Williams, who will be joining us in August, is a political scientist arriving from Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Public Policy. His expertise on public sector organizations in the developing world will further internationalize our focus, and we look forward to his upcoming classes, Organizational Performance and Making Public Services Work Emily Buckley (U-M ’22), our communications coordinator, joined us last August. Her design acumen has given OS a fresh look in many spaces, including this newsletter. And Paige Barton, Student Services Coordinator, is the newest member of the team, joining most recently from Ohio State, where she received a Master’s in Hispanic Linguistics
We’ve also built new connections with alumni this year, which has been one of my priorities as director Last summer, a working group of eight alums developed a framework for a new Organizational Studies Leadership Committee, and this year we appointed our first members: Ben Smith (chair, OS ’02), Kate Balzer (OS ’10), Lisa Henry (OS ’00), Colleen Hoy (OS ’98), Naomi Makofsky (OS ’10), Ceren Share (OS ’01), Miguel Solari (OS ’99), Brenda Castro-Ortiz (OS ’19), LeAnne Wintrode (OS ’04), and David Wolmer (OS ’98) The group has been meeting over Zoom, and in September will return to Ann Arbor to plan activities for the coming year and share their wisdom with current students
I’m particularly happy we’ve reconnected with alums who were Org Studies majors before there
was a formal Organizational Studies program some of whom actually helped get the program started In the coming years, we’ll be looking for more alumni to get involved in this and other ways, and look forward to working with those interested in giving back to the program and connecting with current students
We have big plans for the next couple of years With the support of LSA, OS has been working to grow its faculty so we can expand the major beyond the 50 students a year we currently admit the same number we’ve enrolled since 2001 We are now actively planning that expansion, and hope to meet a little more of the high student demand by admitting a larger cohort in Winter 2026 But rest assured that we are committed to maintaining the distinctive OS culture as we grow, including the cohort model and lots of opportunities for peer connection and co-curricular engagement
In this newsletter you’ll read more about what members of the OS community have been up to As always, our students are remarkable ambitious, intellectually curious, and passionate about what they do I am excited to meet a terrific new cohort this fall, and also to be able to bring the benefits of the OS experience to a growing group in the future
As always, we’re grateful for the support of the larger OS community alumni, parents, and friends It’s those connections beyond the University that make OS so strong, and introduce our majors to the world of opportunities that are open to them after graduation I hope this summer brings some relaxation and restoration to you and your loved ones – and Go Blue!
ELIZABETH POPP BERMAN
Richard H. Price Professor of Organizational Studies
Fun Fact: Organizational Studies became an officially declared major in 2001.
A New OSLC The Organizational Studies Leadership Committee is Relaunched!
The Organizational Studies Leadership Committee (OSLC) is back! In its former days, this advisory group of LSA alumni helped to build the program and create our special studentcentered OS experience with funding for study abroad scholarships, internship stipends, and discretionary funding to facilitate program innovations Although they were not OS alumni (the program was not in place when they attended the U-M), they were staunch supporters of OS, helping to recruit new board members who guided us from 2002 through 2019
During the course of that time, the composition of the board began to change, first adding a limited number of current students to attend the business portion of OSLC meetings, and later, inviting OS alumni as guests of the Director In the years leading up to the pandemic, the OSLC continued to advocate for greater alumni presence on the OSLC When COVID-19 halted all on-campus meetings in 2020, OS took a moment to pause further deliberations about the configuration of the OSLC Then, in the summer of 2023, we convened an alumni working group to create governance
guidelines for a future OSLC
That final structure has membership consisting of OS alumni from before and after the official founding of the program. It also includes a current student presence
We wish to express our thanks to the 2023 working group members: LeAnne Wintrode (‘04, chair), Kim Marrone Beckert (‘00), Kate Brierty (‘11), Kelly LaPierre (‘07), Nicole McAlvanah (‘18), Jay Salliotte (‘01), Shekinah Singletery (‘14), and David Wolmer (‘98) During the fall of 2023, respondents from our initial OSLC interest survey were vetted to be part of the newly formed OSLC Their photos and brief bios appear on the following pages
The OSLC guidelines focus on a structure of 8-10 members, with staggered memberships of two years and an additional possible renewal Members will meet four times per year, with three virtual meetings and one in-person meeting during the fall OSLC members’ engagement is divided into the following working committee areas: student experience, stakeholder engagement, and fund development This year’s
OSLC meeting will be held on September 27 in Weiser Hall.
Future Involvement
Stay tuned for a call for nominations for new members in winter term of 2025. We look forward to sharing more about the work of the OSLC that will take place in the upcoming year!
OSLC Member Profiles
(OS ‘10, Michigan)
A former peer mentor in OS, Kate is currently Change Manager at U-M Procurement after spending over seven years in project management at Michigan Medicine and over five years at Food Gatherers nonprofit in Ann Arbor. She has continued to support OS students through mock interviews, resume reviews, and fundraising. Kate also has an MSW from U-M
(OS ‘10, New York)
Naomi has had a long career at Google where she has risen to the position of Head of Product Partnerships She has retained a strong connection to OS as an alum via our MIRR program and delivered the 2020 OS graduation keynote speech
(OS ‘00, Illinois)
Lisa worked in marketing/ advertising for 20+ years at a research company, internet publisher, advertising agency and with online marketing vendors She is now in Program Management working on transformation projects within the real-estate, IT, and energy sectors, while also serving as a Women’s Energy Network mentor and on school boards
(OS ‘01, Washington DC)
Ceren is a Senior Manager at the US Department of State, where she supervises more than 100 employees In addition to tours in the US Embassies in Djibouti, Afghanistan, and Iraq, she has prior experience in global project management at Pfizer and is a longtime CrossFit coach.
(OS ‘98, New York)
Colleen has a 20+ year career in human capital and recruiting in global investment banking, consulting, and private equity firms including, most recently, Advent International, General Atlantic, and Amity 15 She has a long history volunteering with the New York Junior League and has served twice on its Nominating Committee.
(OSLC Chair, OS ‘02, Michigan)
Following an extensive career in consulting at Deloitte and Plante Moran, Ben is now CEO of his own real estate and investment firm He has been involved in fundraising initiatives as a volunteer for the United Way and other groups, and will serve as OSLC Chair in 2024-25
Kate Balzer
Naomi Makofsky
Lisa Henry
Ceren Share
Colleen Hoy
Ben Smith
Miguel Solari
(OS ‘99, California) (OS ‘98, California)
Miguel is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at JLINC Labs, a technology company that enables permission-based data exchange and data provenance at internet scale His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to launch a successful nightlife entertainment group and a zero waste lifestyle product line He also mentors young successful sales professionals for a Silicon Valley company called Abundance Leadership training
David is a Partner, Co-Chief Operating Officer, and General Counsel at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners LLC, a global private equity firm based in Beverly Hills, California As an alum he has remained supportive of OS and has been a guest speaker in our OS leadership course He has a JD from Fordham University School of Law
(OS ‘19, Michigan) (OS Director, Michigan)
(OS ‘04, Wisconsin)
Brenda is Assistant Program Manager for Remote Programs and Virtual Learning in the U-M Wolverine Pathways Program, designed to recruit and retain students from underrepresented and underserved communities in Michigan Brenda helped lead the OS Campus Connections Summer Program and has served as a member of U-M’s Latino/a Studies Advisory Board
Beth joined OS in 2019 and became Director in 2022 She is a sociologist working at the intersection of organizations, economic sociology, and the sociology of knowledge, and has taught the OS senior capstone in addition to courses on Higher Education and Data, Work, and Organizations She has a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley
LeAnne has spent her career in healthcare and EHR consulting, working as an analyst, program manager and director of operations at companies such as Epic, LinkEHR, and HealthLink Advisors She currently serves as an executive coach As chair of the working group that led to the recreation of the OSLC, she has been a critical partner for OS
(OS Chief Administrator, Michigan)
Melissa is Chief Administrator in OS and has been a staff member in the program since 2005 She is responsible for budget and finance, HR, and facilities She has been at the U-M since 1995 and prior experience includes work in international education both at U-M and overseas Melissa has a Masters in Higher Education Administration from the U-M
David Wolmer
Brenda Castro-Ortiz
Beth Popp Berman
LeAnne Wintrode
Melissa Eljamal
Technological Innovation in the Classroom
Educational innovation has been a continuous cornerstone of academic excellence at the University of Michigan, as well as in the Organizational Studies program. The most recent breakthrough, generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), is being utilized in educational advancement in higher education. On the U-M campus, there is a range of excitement and skepticism among faculty, staff, and students as they explore the impact of these new technologies.
Amidst recent advancements, the University of Michigan has deployed its very own generative AI system, known as U-M GPT. This system is designed to assist both faculty and students with a range of tasks, from research query assistance to generating creative content for educational purposes By integrating U-M GPT into the academic space, U-M seeks to foster a more innovative and efficient learning experience.
Many proponents of using AI in the classroom believe it to be a powerful tool that can tailor individualized learning methods, streamline tedious administrative tasks, and simplify data analysis in the research process Ara Jo, Lab Manager for OS Professor Nick Camp, praises U-M GPT for its assistance with data interpretation and general problem-solving "AI has made any kind of unfamiliar field approachable, turned repetitive tasks into automated magic, and provided tailored answers to my specific questions as if I had a personal assistant who knows everything," Ara affirms
AI has made any kind of unfamiliar field approachable...
In addition to these functions, one standout feature of GenAI has been its ability to make complex topics more approachable and engaging for students. Within the OS program, LSA Collegiate Fellow Davon Norris has embraced AI by employing it to help explain complex terms and concepts in simpler, more relatable- and sometimes humorous ways Recognizing the challenge that many students face in understanding intricate theories and concepts, Professor Norris generates explanations in the voices and styles of various celebrities including the stylistic voice of famous rapper Snoop Dogg This unusual yet effective teaching aid not only captures students' attention but also helps to demystify tough material in a format that is more relatable
Despite AI's assistance in educational contexts, these developments are not without hurdles and widely debated concerns Questions regarding the ethical use of AI, data privacy, and the reliability of AI-generated content are at the forefront of public discourse There is also a concern of potential over-reliance on technology, which may ultimately undermine critical thinking skills OS Professor Steve Samford has noticed a growing interest in AI from students, especially within his course, OS450 Technological Innovations Samford’s course examines the role technological innovations have in reshaping organizational practices With a curriculum that studies tech trends, he encourages students to think critically about the tools that will impact and even define the future
workplace "One of the issues we talk about in Technological Innovation (OS450) is how rapid technological change affects the labor force and equitable social outcomes There’s an assumption that the labor efficiencies created by technologies like “artificially intelligent” generative language models translate smoothly into widespread benefits, but the immediate consequences are often far more socially disruptive than that For instance, in class we discussed a recent report that identified between 1/3 and 1/2 of white collar jobs in industries like banking, finance, and communications as having high potential to be automated by emerging AI tools So at the same time that students are quite open to using AI tools, there is definitely some anxiety about the extent to which it will eliminate some of the jobs that they hope to be entering," states Professor Samford about GenAI
There’s an assumption that the labor efficiencies created by technologies like “artificially intelligent” generative language models translate smoothly into widespread benefits, but the immediate consequences are often far more socially disruptive than that.
In addition to these larger concerns, one unique challenge our OS community faces is navigating the OS application process in the wake of GenAI “The OS Admissions Committee did talk last year about AIgenerated application essays But at least for now, AI still produces fairly genericsounding content. Some students might find it a useful starting point, but it needs a lot of editing to sound as good as a sincere story told in a student's own voice I'm sure we'll revisit again as the technology continues to develop,” says OS director Beth Popp Berman
Ultimately, as artificial intelligence gains further integration into educational environments and contemporary society, it is critical to recognize the technology’s double-edged nature “Researchers across U-M are dedicated to examining and shaping the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, diligently working to thwart potential misuse and misunderstandings that may arise as these cutting-edge technologies become increasingly integrated into our world,” a representative from U-M Research explains.
These efforts, like ensuring that technological advancement aligns with educational integrity and social responsibility, are reminiscent of topics at the current forefront of the organizational studies field In fact, every discipline is bound to experience substantial changes through AI, ensuring advancements alongside the heightened responsibility to steer these changes towards the greater good How we handle it, however, continues to be shaped in real time
“EDGE OF REALITY”
LSA MAGAZINE, SPRING 2024
ILLUSTRATION BY BECKY
SEHENUK WAITE
Forging A Sustainable Future
2024 LSA Year of Sustainability
As the University of Michigan's (U-M) College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) embarks on innovative transformations, sustainability stands at the forefront of their efforts The declaration of 2024 as the "Year of Sustainability'' is not simply a statement it's a call to action that resonates throughout every department, including the dynamic Organizational Studies program and field
Initiated by former LSA Dean Anne Curzan, this campaign will push LSA towards a more sustainable campus climate through a variety of course revisions, collaborative projects, and a college-wide culture change This unique approach strays from LSA's traditional theme semesters, evolving into an interdisciplinary exploration of sustainability reinforced by the LSA Carbon Neutrality Task Force's vision and supported by the newly established Incentives and Innovations fund. Through this combination of community efforts and academic inquiry, the LSA Year of Sustainability aspires to make a lasting impact on policy, research, and campus culture
© MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY
A Progressive Approach to Learning and Sustainability
Within the Organizational Studies program, there is a shared devotion to exploring and advancing sustainability. In tandem with LSA's vision, we take pride in offering our students an integrative educational experience that combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications in sustainability
OS Professor Sara Soderstrom stands out as a beacon of inspiration and guidance in these efforts As an Associate Professor in both Organizational Studies and the Program in the Environment (where she also serves as Director), she leverages her research on global sustainability issues to educate and empower the next generation of sustainability leaders Soderstrom is also Faculty Director of the Undergraduate Fellows Program at the Erb Institute, and much of her work focuses on how “individuals within organizations mobilize others, develop coalitions, and access key decision-makers when they are trying to implement sustainability initiatives ”
The Role of Student Engagement
Our students are not mere participants in this initiative they are active drivers of change Many have created OS Pathways that focus not only on 'Environment/Sustainability', but also on related areas of 'Corporate Social Responsibility' and 'Nonprofits/Social Change' Many also engage in research, student organizations, and campus activities that have profound impacts on moving the campus toward its sustainability goals
[Michigan’s Vision 2034] imagines a powerful futureone that is more just and more sustainable because of our roles in building it.
PROFESSOR
SODERSTROM SPEAKING AT THE 2024 GRADUATION
A Collaborative Effort Towards Carbon Neutrality
Recognizing the wide-scale nature of this challenge, LSA is working to foster collaboration that extends beyond the academic domain Students, faculty, staff, and community partners are invited to partake in the collective effort to achieve or move closer to carbon neutrality in their units and communities In order to get this message through to our student body, LSA carbon neutrality program manager Caitlin Jacobs works to engage students through environmental programming on campus
2022 OS ALUM, 2023-24 LSA DEAN'S FELLOW
CHERISH DEAN
ACTIONS TAKEN
Highlighting the relevance of sustainability to the broader LSA mission, Jacobs, in an interview with The Michigan Daily, said, "It’s really not sustainable if we’re not talking about DEI " She stressed the importance of integrating diversity, equity, inclusion, food accessibility, and mental health into sustainability efforts and acknowledged the emotional impact that environmental issues can have on individuals Check out the LSA Climate Diaries, written by OS alum Cherish Dean (‘22)!
Climate Diaries LSA
The OS Program's commitment to composting on the 8th floor
LSA’s reduced operations over winter break
During the 2023-24 holiday period, LSA's reduced operations significantly lowered our ecological footprint The energy savings equaled the annual energy amount necessary to power 1,600 households mirroring the residential impact of a small city Planet Blue’s engagement with more than 130 ambassadors (U-M students, faculty, and staff) to provide sustainability resources and programming for their units.
Join the Movement
The 2024 Year of Sustainability transcends mere conversations it's centered on tangible, lasting change Learn more about how LSA is leading the way in the 2024 Year of Sustainability and how you can play a role in this critical journey You can also explore the Planet Blue toolkit to learn how to implement sustainability in your daily life
MITCH CRISPELL (OS ‘11)
DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT
INDUSTRY: NON-PROFITS
ANITA MICHAUD (OS ‘21) AVP COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT
INDUSTRY: FINANCIAL SERVICES
FOUNDER: DINNER WITH FRIENDS
Alumni Spotlights: Q&A
LAUREN MOLONEY-EGNATIOS (OS ‘07)
FOUNDER OF BRIDGELABS
INDUSTRY: DEI, GLOBAL LEADERSHIP, ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mitch Crispell (‘11) is a Director of Real Estate Development for the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing, a non-profit developer and owner of affordable apartments He is recently married and lives with his husband in Washington DC Outside of work, he writes a theatre blog and is in a line dancing community.
His current projects include the largest affordable housing project in Virginia, The Exchange Check out Mitch’s theatre blog!
Anita Michaud (OS ‘21) daylights working in financial services in New York City in communications and strategy Outside of work, she hosts dinner parties for strangers through her venture Dinner with Friends.
Outside of her day job and Dinner with Friends work, Anita loves film and digital photography, travelling, working out, and trying new things with friends in NYC
Lauren Moloney-Egnatios (OS ‘07) is currently based in Denver, CO but grew up in Detroit, MI She considers herself a bicoastal and global citizen She has lived, worked on, and led teams across the U S and abroad: Spain, where she first studied abroad at the University of Michigan, and later, where she obtained her first job after graduation and gained fluency in Spanish working in Malaga for four years; Lebanon (gained conversational Arabic), one of her countries of origin; and consulting projects in Morocco, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, and Switzerland Lauren’s passion is channeled into her social enterprise, BridgeLabs, and her current role at the International Rescue Committee as their Deputy Director of Inclusive Leadership In both roles, she used an organizational development approach to equip leaders and staff with skills for leading, communicating, and collaborating across differences, reducing barriers so that all people can thrive and achieve success Her subject matter expertise and leadership development have come from her academic background and nearly 15 years of professional experience working at the intersections of organizational development, intercultural communications, global leadership, and DEI, leading global learning and development initiatives in organizations across industries that foster cultures of respect, trust, and inclusion
Gary King (OS ‘17) is from Detroit, MI He was part of the 2017 Organizational Studies (OS) cohort He earned a dual degree in Organizational Studies, focusing on Youth Development through Non-Profit Organizations, and Business Administration from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. After graduation, Gary moved to New York and joined Microsoft as a Technical Account Manager. Later, he transitioned to the role of Customer Success Account Manager in the Health and Life Sciences sector He is now looking to leverage his relationship management and strategic decision-making skills in a new industry
In his free time, Gary enjoys creating music, film photography, and watching critically acclaimed shows and movies.
To highlight the remarkable achievements of our Organizational Studies alumni, we selected four distinguished alums from various fields and cohorts. Here are their stories and insights.
Q1: How has your Organizational Studies degree influenced your career path?
MC: I focused on non-profit organizations in OS, and (except for one internship) have only worked for nonprofits! I've always had passion for social justice, but a brain for systems, organizations, and business; OS was the perfect place for me to pursue that passion in a tangible way Learning about fundraising in the non-profits class trained me to be a grant writer, while learning about management has helped me advance as a leader
AM: Although I didn't realize it at the time, joining the Organizational Studies (OS) program would be one of the most important and impactful decisions I would make during my college career Simply put, the opportunities I have now would not have been possible without the incredible support from the OS community. I credit OS with piquing my interest and passion in building intentional community - which I'm lucky to get to do in both my day job and through my work on Dinner with Friends.
LM: It provided the interdisciplinary lens and approach through which to observe, assess, diagnose, and design solutions to organizational problems. It also fostered a sense of creativity in building my own career path (as opposed to one that was already well established) and confidence to connect the dots of my own unique passions to find a role that works best with my strengths
GK: My degree in Organizational Studies has profoundly influenced my career path, particularly in outreach. Majoring in Youth Development through NGOs instilled in me a deep appreciation for making a positive impact on future generations, especially in underserved communities Throughout my professional journey, I have consistently sought to engage in community and educational activities This commitment has led me to lead career panels, hackathons, and mentorship programs for middle school, high school, and college students
The interdisciplinary nature of my degree and coursework has equipped me to be adaptable in dynamic environments, allowing me to respond effectively as
organizational needs evolve Additionally, it has provided me with a theoretical foundation for cross-functional relationship management. Combined with my BBA from the Ross School of Business, this background has given me a truly holistic understanding of organizational foundations
Q2: Can you describe a pivotal moment (a key course, resource, activity, etc.) during your time in the OS program that helped shape your future?
MC: The Barger Leadership Institute funded a production of an original play that I led with other students This, and mentorship from an OS professor that came with it, helped me discover a passion for (believe it or not) project management! Most of the other student activities I had done before that point were within a certain framework: the residence hall or an already established group But we started something from scratch, and coordinating with the venue, the creative collaborators, the advertising, etc. was a really new skill set for me This experience was my first glimpse of project management--the exciting task
[OS] provided the interdisciplinary lens and approach through which to observe, assess, diagnose, and design solutions to organizational problems.
of pushing something forward with lots of moving parts and stakeholders Now, it's what I do all day at work!
AM: Two moments come to mind: My research trip to Costa Rica with Professor Steve Samford and the Negotiations course that I took with Professor Sara Soderstrom The research trip gave me insight into social sciences researchwhich I find myself often thinking about as I decide my future approach to Dinner with Friends The Negotiations course I reference often to consider how to expand the pie and work together for collective success
LM: Yes! The OS Research Capstone (OS 410), taught by Adam Grant my year. Two memorable things that stick out: 1) He had us learn through experience by sending us out on teams to consult for local organizations which gave me LOTS of hands on experience and mistakes to learn from and talk about in job interviews; 2) He taught us through magic tricks in the classroom! Talk about unconventional methods and memorable experiences! I learned more from him in a year than I learned in my entire 4-year experience at university Thank you!
GK: A pivotal moment during my time in the Organizational Studies program was taking OS 420 Nonprofit Orgs, which required students to create a mock funding proposal for starting a Non-Profit Organization This experience was both exciting and nerve-
wracking due to the extensive research involved, but it fulfilled a long-held curiosity of mine Going through the steps of creating the proposal and then pitching it to the class was an invaluable experience that transformed my understanding of NGO structures It deepened my appreciation for the meticulous planning and execution required to establish these organizations and reaffirmed my confidence in choosing this pathway
Beyond the coursework, I cherished the community that the OS program fostered. The relationships I built felt incredibly organic, and I still regularly communicate with my cohort to this day
Q3: How have you applied interdisciplinary thinking, a core tenet of the OS program, to your work in your field?
MC: My work involves architects, contractors, bankers, and lots of people in government. They all think differently, with varying priorities and constituencies to which they're accountable My goal is getting them all aligned around a single project: designing, permitting, funding, and building apartments for low-income families The ability to imagine what the concerns might be for a lender (for example) and then explain how the project I'm advancing meets those concerns is fundamentally interdisciplinary Also, my job requires making connections among many different disciplines: something as simple as the number of
apartments I can fit in a building is based on the size of the land (surveyors), the zoning allowed (land use attorneys, city planners), the design (architects), and the finances of the project (bankers) My role is to marry together these disparate disciplines in order to get a large, complex project through from idea to reality
My role is to marry together these disparate disciplines in order to get a large, complex project through from idea to reality.
AM: Considering other perspectives and approaches is critical to both my day job and my work with Dinner with Friends To create community, there has to be intentionality and active listening to truly understand and learn from each other I find that my OS background naturally created that foundation for me to build on
LM: Both jobs as Co-founder of BridgeLabs (a social enterprise for organizational strategy,
training, and coaching) and Deputy Director of Inclusive Leadership at International Rescue Committee are interdisciplinary in nature They both require me to work at the intersection of multiple fields: Organizational Development, Global Leadership, Learning and Development, Intercultural Communications, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, and more! The work changes every day and is exciting and everevolving which means my skills have to adapt and evolve, as well
GK: Applying interdisciplinary thinking has enabled me to approach my work holistically, both externally with stakeholders from C-level executives to management and internally with my team. While working in tech at Microsoft, I collaborated with individuals from diverse educational and social backgrounds within the health solutions space It was essential to apply this interdisciplinary approach to maintain synergy among various audiences and leverage each team's strengths to achieve our goals effectively
Q4: How have you leveraged your Organizational Studies background to initiate change or innovation within your organization or industry?
MC: I have pushed for lots of new systems and processes at each place I've worked These include new processes for managing budgets, draws, racial equity in vendor selection, and more. I learned
in OS classes about change management, how to "celebrate small wins," the "strength of weak ties," etc--all of these concepts have helped me to create innovation in ways big and small
AM: I have always been a naturally curious person - joining the OS community nurtured this curiosity and set me up for success after graduation OS encouraged me to look beyond the obvious solution: to think more critically and collaboratively, and to test and learn to see what works and what doesn't
strangers in my apartment After that went well, I continued to iterate, testing out different menus, concepts, and more, learning a bit more with each iteration. This problem-solving mindset was something that my OS professors and community helped me to grow
OS encouraged me to look beyond the obvious solution: to think more critically and collaboratively, and to test and learn to see what works and what doesn't.
When I moved to NYC, I encountered what I now realize is a common challenge: how to find friendship and community in a new place Once I had the idea for Dinner with Friends, I tested my idea, hosting a dinner party of
LM: See my answers above; I do think [the] OS pathway gave me the confidence to experiment, reflect, learn, and iterate which are the foundational components of design thinking (an innovation methodology) These skills have served as the foundation of my cofounding of my business, BridgeLabs, with my former boss at UC Berkeley's Center for Intercultural Leadership, and have also allowed me to forge my own path in the fields of Leadership Development, International Education, and Global Learning and Development My work at the IRC is all about fostering culture change to create a culture of high performance, and trust and respect across cultural differences at the individual, team, and organizational level.
GK: My background in Organizational Studies has empowered me to be a change agent by embracing diverse perspectives and championing inclusiveness In corporate settings, it can sometimes be intimidating to be authentic, but my Organizational Studies experience taught me the importance of being comfortable in whatever pathway I choose. I learned to ask questions and not limit my thinking to the perceived norm in any environment Decision-making involves numerous solutions, and as I gained experience in my industry,
those same concepts consistently resurfaced in my thought processes To make a meaningful impact, one must be open to innovation Organizational Studies laid the foundation for this mindset, which I applied when helping to create Microsoft's first "Microsoft x Secure" event, bridging security applications within healthcare and life sciences.
Any extra tidbits?
MC: It's OK to not know exactly what you want to do upon graduation--I didn't! Just learn the skills that are generally applicable to most jobs: writing, communication, being organized, task and project management, negotiation, and systems thinking.
My current projects include the largest affordable housing project in Virginia, The Exchange
AM: I was born at the University of Michigan hospital, so you could say that I was a Wolverine from the day I was born! After graduating from Michigan, I started my career in financial services (although my job has changed several times in just as many years) and founded Dinner with Friends, where I host dinner parties and other food/beveragerelated events to make new friends I've been lucky to have found success in the latter, and have been featured in publications including the New York Times, Business Insider, Bon Appetit magazine, Teen Vogue, and more I was most recently named one of Well + Good's 2024 Changemakers. I describe myself as a serial
hobbyist
LM: In my free time, I love adventuring with my three year old daughter, Leila, and my furry daughter, Juno.
GK: One piece of advice I’d like to offer is to explore your creative passions Living in New York has shown me that you don’t have to limit yourself to your day job. Many people here successfully blend professional and creative pathways, creating unique opportunities I’ve seen colleagues merge their passions with their careers, resulting in new roles within their companies. Personally, I’ve turned my love for creating music into business opportunities, with music from my collective being featured in NFL Network’s programming through sync partnership distributions. I’ve also enjoyed numerous experiences related to other passions, such as photography and speaking engagements To be cliché, “The world is your oyster!” Leave no stone unturned and pursue any interest that excites you!
One piece of advice I’d like to offer is to explore your creative passions.
Top 25
Wondering what our current OSers are interested in these days? Our senior class of 2024 voted for their favorite places, people, and latest trends! Check out this year’s “Top 25” ranking
BEST OF—
Best Study Spot: 8th Floor of Weiser
Best coffee shop: Argus
Hottest party spot: Rick’s American Cafe
Best late night snack spot: Pizza House
Best pizza joint: Joe’s
Best new restaurant: Spiedo
Favorite campus selfie spot: The Big House
Most interesting discovery on campus:
Weiser’s 8th floor atrium
Best place to gather/hangout: Law Quad
Best outdoor space/hiking spot: The Arb
Best brunch spot: Jagged Fork
Favorite OS Professor: Steve Samford
Favorite OS staff: Cathy Philbin
Favorite OS course: OS 405 Negotiations
Most fun OS event: OS Jeopardy Night
Favorite OS item: OS sweatshirt
YEAR IN REVIEW
Hottest song of the year: Flowers by Miley Cyrus
Favorite Tik Tok Trend: Anything sentimental about college
Popular clothing trend: Low Rise Jeans
Best album of the year: midnights by Taylor Swift
Best TV show: The Bear
Best movie: Barbie
Cost of everyday items: Too much
Most notable celebrity: Taylor Swift
Favorite social media: Instagram
Senior Celebrations
Celebrating the Class of 2024 at Graduation
The 2024 OS Graduation Ceremony at Kahn Auditorium, commonly known as “The Pringle,” was an incredible success! Families gathered to celebrate their graduates at the ceremony and dessert reception, honoring a truly remarkable cohort of students As the first class to be entirely in-person since the pandemic, these students formed many strong connections and lasting relationships throughout their time in the program Notably, OS seniors Mateo Brown and Grace Beal delivered OS's first-ever joint student speech, highlighting the impact of a small program on their Michigan experience Students nominated Associate Professor Soderstrom, who is known for her sustainability work and recent teaching of the OS negotiations class, to deliver the keynote address Special student awards were presented to Bobbi Scott, Marne Fox, and Nancy Chen for their outstanding achievements We are immensely proud of this year's graduates and thrilled to welcome another cohort of OSers to our evolving alumni network
MARNE FOX RECEIVING THE JORDAN HARRIS SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD
NANCY CHEN AND MARNE FOX RECEIVING THE SUZANNE M JONES OS SPIRIT AWARD
BOBBI SCOTT RECEIVING THE ANDY & ELLYN LANSING LEADER/SCHOLAR AWARD
Senior Brunch
Our seniors kicked off Senior Week with a group brunch, paper plate superlative awards, and an exciting scavenger hunt The winners of the hunt proudly earned some OS swag and bragging rights!
Scavenger Hunt
Our seniors continued Senior Week with a campus-wide scavenger hunt planned by the awesome Organizational Studies Graduation Committee OSers dashed around campus to take photos of the various tasks with a jamboard 1 in front of each group member’s first-year dorm (1pt for each) 2 with an OS faculty member 3 spinning the cube 4 the whole group in front of the union 5 eating inside a dining hall 6 in front of your favorite bar 7. in front of the Michigan Wings 8 feeding a squirrel in the diag 9 of you scoring a 200 in skeeball at Pinball Pete’s 10 of the letters “O” and “S” in graffiti alley 11 laying in the grass in the Law Quad 12. doing a cartwheel in Nichols Arcade 13 with a sign with “2024” in it 14 +1 if you can take the sign with you (but don’t steal ) a Ask a stranger if they know about what Org Studies is if they don’t, give them the pitch 15. +1 if you mention your specific pathway a with Bo Schembechler 16 with any statue 17 of you stepping on the block M (there are no more blue book exams to fail) 18. kissing someone under the engineering arch (on the lips, no cheating) 19 in the 8th floor atrium with the plant wall 20 with your favorite exhibit in the UMMA 21 of you walking through the fountain (towards Rackham) 22 on the roof of any university building 23
TAKE A PICTURE…
Big House Tour
Arranged by our amazing graduation committee and peer mentors, OS seniors were able to take a private tour of the Big House as a cohort Go Blue, and Go OS!
Alumni Updates
2002
Malissa Clark published a book, “Never Not Working: Why the Always-On Culture Is Bad for Business and How to Fix It.”
2007
Justin Berg will be returning to U-M as an Associate Professor of Management and Organizations at the Ross School of Business!
2008
Melissa Walsh (Bradley) was awarded as a 2023 InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 honoree.
2009
Josh Cohen and his wife and are extraordinarily blessed to have an amazing baby boy, Benny!
2013
Lauren Davaloz (Mullins) and family welcomed their second son on April 28th, Noah Davaloz.
2017
Huong Haley (Nguyen)‘s baby girl Linh was born March 25, 2024!
2018
Rebecca Leeman got married June 25, 2023!
Jesse Offenhartz and Kevin Corbett (OS '18) both passed the New York bar exam and will be graduating from Cornell Law School in May
2019
Jason Rowland moved from San Francisco to New York!
2021
Natalie Cadotte just got engaged! She and her fiancé Ian will be married next March
Lauren Ibsen (Farley) recently accepted a position with the Dallas Cowboys and started on May 13!
Rye Yang moved to Australia in June 2023 on a work and holiday (462) visa, which is actually quite easy for Americans to get! The cultural differences still catch Rye by surprise after almost a year here, especially attitudes around work life balance.
Lauren Benitez will reach 1 year of service as a Peace Corps volunteer in Fiji on September 15th The University of Michigan was named one of the top Peace Corps producing universities for volunteers 2023
SPECIALSHOUTOUT
OS is proud to have a Summer Olympian among our alums!
Paige Badenhorst ('21) qualified in single-scull rowing for her home country of South Africa, and recently competed in the Paris Olympics. Congratulations to Paige on her outstanding athletic accomplishments!
And in other OS Olympian news, the US Olympic Figure Skating Team from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, captained by ice dancer Evan Bates (OS '13), has been awarded a long-delayed gold medal in the team competition Congratulations to Evan and his partner (and now wife) Madison Chock!
U p d a t e s
Highlights, Awards, and Accolades
The OS Community Department Kudos
Sara Soderstrom
serves as the Director for PitE (Program in the Enviorment) and was recently awarded the Thurnau Professorship Soderstrom was one of only five faculty members to receive this prestigious award for remarkable contributions to undergraduate education.
Steve Samford
Jeremy Levine
has been granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor! and coauthor (and recent U-M PhD) Kelly Russell won the Charles Tilly Article Award from the Comparative Historical Sociology section of the American Sociological Association (ASA) this year! The recognition is for their paper "Crime Pays the Victim: Criminal Fines, the State, and Victim Compensation Law 1964–1984," which came out last year in the American Journal of Sociology
OS Advisor Cathy Philbin
was selected as one of five finalists for the 2023-24 ACUM (Advising Council at U-M) Outstanding Advisor Award, a Provost-funded, university-wide award based on student nominations (600 nominations for 274 unique advisors in the 2023-24 cycle) The award recognizes undergraduate and graduate advisors who go above and beyond to support students by providing information and advice, supporting their well-being, and fostering their academic and personal success
Faculty & Staff Additions
New Community Members
Catherine Thomas
joined us this year as Assistant Professor in Organizational Studies and Psychology Her research examines the psychology of poverty and inequality, as well as their remedies Integrating social psychology, cultural psychology, and behavioral science, she uncovers psychological processes that undermine the economic mobility of people in poverty and simultaneously depress public will to address inequality. Her research aims to identify drivers of social and cultural inclusion, economic equity, and their interaction within organizations, policies, and societies. At a more basic level, she examines the dynamic relationship of people’s sense of agency to their cultural, social, and economic contexts In this work, she conducts lab and field experiments, often in interdisciplinary collaborations, in the US and in low- and middle-income countries, including in East and West Africa
Paige Barton
joined us this summer as Student Services Coordinator for OS. In her role, she advises prospective students, supervises the Student Recruitment Team, manages curriculum processes for OS, provides support for admissions, and co-plans OS's Information Nights and Orientation.
Paige received a Bachelor's in Spanish and International Studies, as well as a Master's in Spanish, from Western Michigan University, and a Master's in Hispanic Linguistics from Ohio State University (but don't hold her former school against her) Paige is passionate about facilitating holistic student success and is excited to be part of a program that shares this priority
Emily Buckley
joined us this year as the new Events & Communications Coordinator for Organizational Studies. Emily develops marketing and promotional materials for the program. She also works on the department’s Weekly Updates e-letter and manages the social media accounts. Graduating from the University of Michigan in 2022 with her degree in Communication & Media studies, as well as minors in Writing and Art & Design, Emily is happy to be back in Ann Arbor to assist the students, staff, and faculty of the Organizational Studies Program
Ara Jo
joined us this year to assist in Dr Camp’s research and help manage his research lab She is loving Ann Arbor and even has a new pet cat!
Our Community
Staff
Paige Barton, Student Services Coordinator
Emily Buckley, Events & Communications Coordinator
Tanya Dietz, Executive Assistant
Melissa Eljamal, Chief Administrator
Cathy Philbin, OS Advising Coordinator
Ara Jo, Lab Manager
Faculty
Elizabeth Popp Berman, Richard H Price Professor, Organizational Studies and Sociology (by courtesy)
Nicholas Camp, Assistant Professor, Organizational Studies and Psychology (by courtesy)
Lisa Fein, Lecturer, Organizational Studies
Jeremy Levine, Associate Professor, Organizational Studies and Sociology (by courtesy)
Davon Norris, LSA Collegiate Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Organizational Studies
Steven Samford, Associate Professor, Organizational Studies
Sara Soderstrom, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, Organizational Studies and Program in the Environment
David Sweetman, Lecturer, Organizational Studies
Catherine Thomas, Assistant Professor, Organizational Studies and Psychology
Affiliated Faculty
Denise Anthony, Professor, Sociology and Health Management and Policy
Elizabeth A. Armstrong, Sherry B Ortner Collegiate Professor, Sociology and Women's and Gender Studies
Michael Bastedo, Professor, Education
Gerald F. Davis, Gilbert and Ruth Whitaker Professor, Business Administration and Sociology
Richard Gonzalez, Amos N Tversky Collegiate Professor, Psychology and Statistics
Kathryn Heinze (OS '05), Associate Professor, Sport Management
Andy Hoffman, Holcim (US) Inc Professor, Sustainable Enterprise and Management and Organizations
Robert S. Jansen, Associate Professor, Sociology
Ramaswami Mahalingam, Professor, Psychology and Women's and Gender Studies
Mark S. Mizruchi, Robert Cooley Angell Collegiate Professor, Sociology and Management and Organizations
Jason Owen-Smith, Professor, Sociology
Shobita Parthasarathy, Professor, Public Policy and Women's and Gender Studies
Richard Price, Organizational Studies Program Founder and Professor Emeritus, Psychology and Organizational Studies
Lance Sandelands, Professor, Psychology, Organizational Behavior, and Human Resource Management
Denise Sekaquaptewa, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, Psychology
Dan Slater, James Orin Murfin Professor, Political Science
Gretchen Spreitzer, Keith E and Valerie J Alessi Professor, Business Administration, Organizational Behavior, and Human Resource Management
James P Walsh, Arthur F Thurnau Professor, Gerald and Esther Carey Professor, Business Administration, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, and Corporate Strategy
University Regents
Jordan B. Acker
Michael J Behm
Mark J Bernstein
Paul W Brown
Sarah Hubbard
Denise Ilitch
Ron Weiser
Katherine E White (Chair)
