Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement
Overview
What is the Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement?
The Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement (MRLE) is designed to recognize the accomplishments and time you devote at Michigan to becoming a better leader. To earn the endorsement, you fulfill requirements at your own pace throughout your degree program and are exposed to a variety of insightful workshops, reflections and experimentation, courses, action-based learning experiences, as well as leadership coaching. Additionally, the endorsement track is designed to give you a competitive edge in the recruiting process and as you begin your career—not only through meaningful experiences, but also by providing you with reflective discussion points and a LinkedIn credential that can be widely shared.
Key Benefits
- Connect the dots on all of your leadership experiences at Michigan
- Enhance your leadership skills by understanding yourself and knowing how to lead teams
- Gain access to leadership coaching
- Choose areas of leadership you want to grow and specialize in, and hone these skills through active experimentation and action-based learning
- Stand out to recruiters and have a cohesive story about how you are growing, experimenting, and reflecting as a leader
- Jump start your career post-graduation by having the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a leader
Upon Program Completion, Receive
- LinkedIn credential
- Printed certificate signed by the Michigan Ross dean and Sanger faculty director
- Special honor cords to wear at graduation
Fast Facts
- Open to all Ross students
- Many requirements are already part of Ross programs (leadership elective, Michigan Model of Leadership module, action-based learning project)
- Students complete requirements at their own pace
Leader Endorsement Requirements
The Leader Endorsement is meant to be obtained throughout your academic career and includes a wide range of experiences, many of which are already part of Michigan Ross’ degree programs. View the requirements in full detail below.
Leadership assessment and coaching
Sanger flagship programs and curricular experiences
At least one leadership elective
Capstone deliverable
The Program
How it Works
- Apply for the Leader Endorsement using the button on this page. After filling out the form, you’ll gain access to a Canvas page that you can use as a guide throughout your degree program.
- Complete requirements on your own timeline. Submit your completion in Canvas as you go. The Canvas page will help you map out your timeline with a calendar and suggestions for when to fit the requirements into your academic journey.
- At any time, meet with the Sanger team for further guidance. We will also hold periodic open office hours for those pursuing the Leader Endorsement.
- Submit your capstone via Canvas when you have completed all of the requirements. Sanger will review and then grant your final credentials!
Application
Details
All Ross students
Application Timeline
Applications are rolling. You may opt in at any time during your degree program, although we recommend starting as soon as possible.
We admit students into the Canvas module once per month. However, once you submit your application, you can begin participating in Sanger activities required for the endorsement right away. If you have any questions about the application and admission process, contact us at rossleaders@umich.edu.
Thinking about applying to Ross Leaders Academy?
Beginning in academic year 2026–2027, students will be enrolled in and intend to complete the MRLE before applying to Ross Leaders Academy (RLA).
The MRLE gives students a strong foundation in collaborative and evidence-based leadership skills that prepare them for the deeper, community-based work in RLA.
If you’re a first-year student in 2025–2026, we strongly encourage you to complete the MRLE to be eligible for RLA next year.
Application
COACHING
More information will be provided in communications from the Sanger Team during your final semester before graduation.
Talking Points for Interviews
Mentioning your accomplishments during recruiting is one great reason to pursue the Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement. We’ve put together a list of talking points to get you started.
- As part of my academic journey, I’m also pursuing the Michigan Ross Leader Endorsement. This credential is granted to a small number of accomplished student leaders.
- To earn the Leader Endorsement, I will complete over 60 hours of activities not only related to evidence-based skill development but putting thought into action.
- Some aspects of the program include self-leadership, a deep knowledge of the values important to me; how to lead inclusive teams; leading under pressure; and influencing others.
- The Leader Endorsement has a strong growth orientation. I have continually set goals for myself and I have run experiments to see how I can improve and grow while getting feedback from others.
Here are some prompts you may want to reflect upon before your interview:
- What is your evolving personal definition of leadership?
- How might you leverage your experience using the Sanger Leadership Journey framework, especially during your Action-Based Learning experience, to showcase your growth orientation?
- As your core values and purpose come into greater focus, how have they impacted your approach to leadership? What result has that created?
- If your experience within the Leader Endorsement was a short story, what would your story be? Think about the (3) most impactful moments—what challenges have you overcome and what accomplishments have you achieved?
- What are your greatest learnings about self-leadership, adaptive leadership, and the ability to lead effective teams?
- What leadership behavior have you developed the most?
- How has your reflection practice deepened?
- How has your point of view on inclusion evolved throughout the program?
- When in the program were you called to perform under pressure and delivered?
- When in the program did you use effective communication to positively influence others?
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