PRIVATE EQUITY AT MICHIGAN ROSS More and more University of Michigan Ross School of Business graduates are pursuing Private Equity (PE) careers, taking advantage of an increasing portfolio of PE courses and co-curricular activities. In fact, according to a recent survey of Ross students, 41 percent of BBAs and 20 percent of MBAs express interest in pursuing finance / PE careers upon graduation. Here’s a glimpse of current PE activities at the school, and how you can get involved.
CURRENT PRIVATE EQUITY ACTIVITIES Curriculum DIAG Growth Private Equity Fund: ES352 This exciting student-led investment fund and course launched in Fall 2025 and is open to undergraduate students. Private Equity, Leveraged Buyout Transactions: FIN351 This undergraduate course focuses on the investment decision process of leveraged buyout (LBO) firms. Fundamentals of PE: FIN438 This undergraduate course provides students with a basic understanding of the fundamentals of private equity through an analysis and overview of a private equity fund's life cycle. Global Private Equity: FIN626 As the third course in the sequence, this graduate-level course extends the coverage of venture capital and private equity from the U.S. model to other parts of the globe.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Give to the annual fund to help support this top priority area
Create a scholarship to support students who pursue finance and PE
Support the DIAG Growth Private Equity Fund through a gift or by sourcing deals
Host Alumni Office Hours to connect with Michigan Ross students
Offer to speak in a classroom to enrich the student experience
Sponsor a MAP Project that promotes actionbased learning
Co-Curricular Michigan Ross Private Equity & Alternative Investments Summit Held annually for Michigan Ross and U-M alumni private equity professionals in New York City. Alumni Office Hours Michigan Ross offers one-on-one opportunities for alumni to connect with students in a mentoring capacity to assist with informational interviews, mock interviews, resumes, or simply answering career or industry questions. Student Clubs Several clubs and organizations are available for students interested in PE, including the Alternative Investments Club, Michigan PEVC, and the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club.
DIAG GROWTH PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENT FUND STUDENTS MAKING REAL INVESTMENTS IN REAL TIME. The DIAG Growth Private Equity Investment Fund is an action-based private equity finance course focused on growth-oriented private equity investments. The DIAG curriculum will teach students concepts and tools used by private equity (PE) investors to evaluate businesses and make investments. You can be a part of this exciting time at the university as we embark on our third year of this fresh, unique, private equity course at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
DIAG LEADERS
COURSE DETAILS Each year, more Michigan Ross students choose to pursue private equity careers, taking advantage of an increasing portfolio of PE courses and co-curricular activities. In fact, according to a recent survey of Ross students, 41 percent of BBAs and 20 percent of MBAs expressed interest in pursuing finance or PE careers upon graduation. The DIAG Fund course offers an action-based learning experience where students evaluate real private equity co-investment opportunities. They conduct due diligence by analyzing target company data and gathering relevant information. Student teams then create and present an investment memorandum with their recommendation. With instructor supervision, students get the chance to make real-time investments in live deals.
INVEST IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF FINANCE LEADERS Your gift to the DIAG Fund will directly support, students to gain hands-on experience with real-world investment opportunities. Invest in the next generation of finance leaders, and help us as we launch this innovative course — thank you!
GIVE TO THE DIAG FUND
JOSHUA CASCADE Lecturer of Finance
MICHAEL MACKEY CIO, 1701 Holdings
DESIRED COURSE OUTCOMES The four primary objectives of the DIAG include: Dynamic Action-Based Learning: students will evaluate current investment opportunities in actual transactions sponsored by leading PE funds. Investment Education: Led by professionals with a combined 60+ years of investment experience, the curriculum will teach students concepts and tools used by PE investors to evaluate businesses and recommend investments. Alumni Engagement: The DIAG will directly engage alumni through innovative curriculum and opportunities to directly contribute to the fund. Growth in Endowment: Capital for the DIAG will be sourced by designated donations to the U-M Endowment to support the DIAG's stated goals.