Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

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:

• To embrace lifelong growth by welcoming a wide variety of viewpoints and engaging thoughtfully and respectfully, even when doing so is uncomfortable
• To respect and value differences in race, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, mental or physical ability, and other dimensions of diversity
• To build on the backgrounds and experiences of international staff, faculty, and students in recognition of the globally connected nature of academia and the private sector
• To leverage the power of teaching and learning, thought leadership, shared governance, and service work to remove systemic barriers that hinder us from fulfilling our commitment

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:

• Drake University DEI Commitment
• Drake University nondiscrimination and accessibility disclosures
• The Comparison Project - center for the study and engagement of global-comparative religion and local-lived religion
• Title IX at Drake University

Faculty/Staff resources:

• AACSB Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
• Crew Scholars faculty opportunities
• Drake faculty/staff affinity groups
• "How to Make Your Teaching More Inclusive." 2019. The Chronicle of Higher Education. July 22, 2019.

Resources in Des Moines and surrounding areas:

• Inclusion Committee of the Greater Des Moines Partnership
• Iowa Civil Rights Commission
• Iowa Department of Human Rights
• Iowa LatinX Project
• Iowa Pride Network (OneIowa)
• The Director's Council (One Economy)

• Dr. Ayn E. Crowley Scholarship
  Established by Dr. Ayn E. Crowley. Awarded to marketing majors with a 3.5 GPA or higher with financial needs who are from educationally, economically, or socially disadvantaged backgrounds or whose enrollment will significantly contribute to the diversity of the student body.

• KPMG LLP / Donald R. Sloan Scholarship
  Awarded to an incoming freshman majoring in accounting. Awarded to students who self-identify as a racial or ethnic minority and will create greater diversity in the accounting profession. Scholarship is contingent upon maintaining a cumulative 3.0 GPA overall and a cumulative 3.0 GPA in accounting.

• 1960 Alumnus International Scholarship
  Awarded to a student(s) from the region of Korea with financial need. If there are no qualified students from the region of Korea, then the scholarship can be expanded to include students of Korean descent currently residing in the United States with financial need.

• John and Mary Pappajohn Scholarship
  Established by John and Mary Pappajohn. Awarded to one entering first-year student and one continuing student with financial need who are from educationally, economically, or socially disadvantaged backgrounds or whose enrollment will significantly contribute to the diversity of the student body.

• Principal Financial Group Scholarship
  Awarded to students who identify as women majoring in computer science or data analytics with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Preference is given to students active in leadership roles on- and off-campus, financial need, veterans, students with disabilities, or who increase the diversity goals of the College.

• Principal Financial Group Scholarship
  Awarded to Zimpleman College of Business students in their sophomore year with a 3.0 GPA or higher who enhance the diversity goals of the College. Preference is given to students active in leadership roles on- and off-campus, financial need, veterans, and/or students with disabilities.

• Principal Financial Group Scholarship
  Awarded to Zimpleman College of Business students in their sophomore or junior year with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Preference is given to students active in leadership roles on- and off-campus, financial need, veterans, students with disabilities, and/or who increase the diversity goals of the College.

• Principal Financial Group Actuarial Science Scholarship
  Awarded to an actuarial science major with a 3.4 GPA graduating between December 2021 and August 2023. Preference is given to students who exhibit leadership and whose enrollment will contribute to the diversity of the student body, including students with disabilities and veterans.

• Principal Financial Group Entering Freshman Scholarship
  Awarded to two entering first-year students with a 3.0 GPA or higher whose enrollment will significantly contribute to the diversity of the College. Preference is given to students active in leadership roles on- and off-campus, with financial need, veterans, and/or students with disabilities.

• Burmeister for Uganda Trip Scholarship
  Established by Ned Burmeister. Awarded to students with financial need traveling to study sustainable development in Uganda who would not otherwise be able to participate. Scholarships are awarded in the Spring semester.

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:

• Organization of Latino Actuaries
• Women in Business

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.