The Zimpleman College of Business is uniquely positioned to be a change agent.
Our college is working towards a world where business is a force for good. We aspire to play a leading role in positively impacting and transforming our teaching and learning environments, our research communities, and our local and global economy into more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming places for all to succeed.
Zimpleman College of Business diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging commitment
The Zimpleman College of Business strives to create an authentically diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment for all. This commitment is central to our belief that business is a force for good with an essential role to play in making positive contributions to society. We recognize that we must intentionally take action to implement strategies to engage students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and faiths to promote our personal and professional success. This imperative stems from Drake University’s long tradition of the pursuit of equity and inclusion, and its aspiration to create a truly diverse and welcoming campus.
This commitment rests on a set of expectations for all of us who are part of the Zimpleman College of Business community:
We seek tangible ways to live up to these expectations through the actions and relationships that students, faculty, and staff have with each other in all venues. Whether we are on campus, in the community, or interacting virtually, it is our goal to be intentional in building and maintaining environments where discrimination is not tolerated.
Dean Hernandez on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
Discrimination has been all too real, for far too long, and cannot continue if we are to realize our potential as a society. Race-related issues, including acts of hatred and ignorance, in recent years have exposed the painful frustration with the lack of progress in eradicating inequities within our community, country, and around the world. But they are only the newest in a long line of systemic injustices that are part of the history of all of our colonized countries.
That is why we need to support those expressing their voices and taking action globally, nationally, and locally to support change. More importantly, we need to take action within our own leadership, organizational structure, and programming to learn, teach, and model the type of change needed to harness the power of diversity.
The private sector—despite all its imperfections—has already recognized the value of diversity. It is well known among corporate thought leaders what ample research bears out: there are economic and social benefits to an inclusive environment. Companies with ethnically and culturally diverse executives, boards, and employees are 35 percent more likely to show profitability above their industry medians, according to a recent McKinsey global study.
This link between diversity and business success is an important one to lift up for the Zimpleman College of Business because it is our responsibility to prepare graduates to innovate and lead in an ever-more globally complex, diverse, and dynamic future. Future business leaders need to not only have domain expertise but also the skills and experience to interpret and respond to the heightened expectations that people and communities have for the private sector to take a leadership role in creating a world that is more just, more caring, and more human.
We should not expect changes to happen overnight; we are going slow because we are going far. By the time I hand off the baton to the next leader, I want to be able to mark progress on this important journey to ensure that a Zimpleman College of Business education can be a force for good, creating an authentically diverse, inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for all. I welcome you to join me in putting one foot in front of the other to reach our shared goals.
College and University resources:
Faculty/Staff resources:
Resources in Des Moines and surrounding areas:
 
The Zimpleman College of Business recognizes that we need to model the right actions to deliver on our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging if students are going to be inclusive leaders in business. We expect all of our stakeholders, students, staff, faculty, administrators, and alumni to be part of this lifelong process of growth. This translates into action in a number of dimensions:
Please visit our Financial Aid Office for all general scholarship information.
Zimpleman College of Business student organizations are dedicated to providing support and leadership opportunities to diverse students. These student organizations include:
Undergraduate student organizations:
There are a range of university-wide registered student organizations and programs dedicated to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. A complete list is available at the Multicultural Student Organizations page.
Student senate works directly with administration and is a voice for students. There are two Equity and Inclusion senators elected each Spring. Student senators can be reached via email.
last updated August 9, 2024