Marquisha “Kris” Franks, Ross MBA Class of 2019
Age: 26
Hometown: Mountville, SC
Undergraduate Institution and Major: University of Miami, applied mathematics
Pre-MBA Work Experience: Procter & Gamble, category development manager, 2 years; United States Postal Service, mathematical statistician, 2 years
Why business school? Why now? Having worked in two extremely different industries, I felt that I had gathered a great sense of what my transferrable skills were. However, I was less confident about how to use those skills to shape my leadership style. I knew in business school I would receive some of the best leadership training available.
Why Ross? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend? I wanted to gain more than an excellent education out of the business school experience. I wanted business school to be transformational. Every student I interacted with at Ross showed me how I could realize that goal.
I talked to students who came to Ross nervous about public speaking but by the end of the program had earned top leadership positions on campus. I watched their classmates cheer them on as they delivered inspired speeches about their journey and the impact they’ve had at Ross. Other students shared how the combination of unique experiences like MAP, student-run venture funds, the Leadership Crisis Challenge, and access to other University of Michigan graduate schools expanded their resumes immensely in just two short years. They were able to successfully show employers how they had truly learned by doing. My conversations with students made me extremely confident that I would leave Ross better than I came.
What do you think is your most valuable or differentiating contribution to the Class of 2019? I really value mental stewardship. I try to operate in a state of positivity and authenticity every day. So, I hope to help my classmates kill self-doubt and the fear of missing out.
Fun fact that didn’t get included on your application? I absolutely love make-up! I moonlighted as a make-up artist for Charlotte Fashion Week—completing looks for more than 30 models.
Post-MBA career interests? I think that education is one of the biggest forces available to drive social change. Education has been a significant contributor to the positive outcomes I have had in life, and I want others to have the same opportunity. So, after business school I plan to be a part of providing technology and data to consumers that allows them to make educated decisions. I want to accomplish this goal in the healthcare or technology industry.
Advice to current prospective applicants:
— One thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process? I would continue to value self-discovery in the application process. I dedicated time before starting my applications to become an authority on me. When I really knew who I was and what was important to me it made essays and interviews so much more authentic. It also helped me make informed and genuine connections with the schools I was evaluating.
— One thing you would change or do differently? I would take better care of myself during the process. Because I was so busy, it was harder to keep a regular exercise routine and a balanced diet. If I had made personal fitness a bigger priority, I would have been a lot better at stress management.
— Part you would have skipped if you could—and what helped you get through it? I didn’t naturally enjoy networking. I changed my perspective on it when I realized it was something I could get more comfortable with and better at with practice.
Greatest highlight so far at Ross? The greatest highlight so far has been MTrek. MTrek is a Ross program where second-year MBA students lead incoming first-year students on treks around the world. It was so fun to come back and hear the stories from all my classmates about the different experiences they had internationally.
One thing about Ross that you didn’t expect before arriving? I didn’t expect to learn so much in the first week! I failed at a million things but I succeeded at a lot more. The beautiful thing was that regardless of the outcome I was learning about my classmates, myself, and making an impact on the business world. I owe that experience to the Ross culture. Everyone wants to see you to succeed and is willing to do whatever they can to help.
Thing you are most anxious about in your first year? I’m anxious about managing my Google calendar. I have totally become a “Let me check my calendar” person. The calendar helps me manage my commitments, but I also have to balance that with the spontaneity that will keep me open to new and fun opportunities.
Thing you are most excited about in your first year? I’m the most excited about making lifelong friendships. Getting a full-time MBA is a once in a lifetime experience that I’d love to still be talking about with friends 30 years from now.
