Profiles in the Lives of OSers
On the eve of our 15th anniversary of the program, we thought it would be interesting to share the full spectrum of
OSers’ relationships to the program. Throughout the next few pages we will share perspectives from a sample of recently
admitted students, recently graduated students, and alumni to provide their thoughts on the program.
New Student Spotlight
As always we are excited to welcome in our new cohort of students. To capture some of the excitement many of them
have about the program we reached out and asked a few of them to write a few words about what they look forward to
experiencing within the OS program.
I am hoping that through the Organizational Studies program, I will learn how to effectively
operate an organization in the non-profit public health sector that could potentially reach out
to those coping with long-term illnesses such as cancer or diabetes. I am excited to be a part
of OS because it will allow me to enroll in public health classes while simultaneously ganing
a business perspective on how health organizations run effectively and serve the community.
One aspect of OS that attracted me was its small class size. I am looking forward to getting
to know all of the members of my cohort and forming a tight-knit community that I would not
find otherwise through my Psychology major.
Rachel Gringlas (OS ‘18)
I am grateful to be a part of a program that is so dedicated to the unique academic and
professional goals of its students and that seeks to provide them with tools to achieve
those goals. I am excited to be a part of a group of dedicated, passionate students who take
advantage of these opportunities and go the extra mile to embrace new learning possibilities
and leadership roles. I am inspired by how OS students cultivate their interests and passions
into work they find meaningful, and how they use that purpose to empower and help others.
I look forward to learning from the interests and experiences of others and being a part of a
group of students who work together to find value in what they do.
Lindsay Hiser (OS ‘18)
Through taking an interdisciplinary set of classes, learning from OS faculty at the top of
their fields, and engaging with talented and motivated peers, I look forward to applying my
research experience to how we structure our corporate business organizations— particularly
from the vantage point of positive management and leadership. Despite being a new admit to
the program, OS has already enriched my education by helping me plan to study abroad in
London, begin a position as the VP of Operations with Women in Leadership Lessons, and
connect me with faculty who have experience in my field of interest. I greatly look forward to
what the rest of my time in the OS program will bring!
Emily Hogan (OS ‘18)
I applied to the University of Michigan knowing that I had to be in the Organizational
Studies program. Since I was young, I have always been passionate about social and
environmental activism. These interests complemented my ambition to create my own
business and introduced me to companies that exist for a purpose beyond just the fiscal
bottom line. I believe that businesses have the power and responsibility to make valuable
change in the world and to give back to the community. I hope to further cultivate these
interests and fuse my passions for entrepreneurship and social change through my academic
pathway.
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Jenni Steiger (OS ‘18)