A Message from Dean Mitchell

At Zimpleman, we offer premier business programs, professional education, and lead centers and institutes where we strive to prepare students to succeed in a complex, dynamic, and challenging world. Being a student here means being a part of a community that challenges you to think boldly, lead ethically, and act with purpose. You will develop the tools to analyze data, manage teams, and launch ventures. Equally important, you will learn to ask: How does this decision serve the greater good? You will work with real-world projects that address real-world problems, and graduate with the knowledge and values to make a difference. When you are a Zimpleman student, my promise to you is that you will stand out as:

• Data and Technology Savvy - fluent in using data and technology to solve problems strategically
• A Strong Communicator - able to professionally and effectively speak and write to share your message
• A Responsible Leader - showcasing social and ethical awareness both in and out of the classroom
• Globally Competent - able to effectively navigate and collaborate as a part of global business
• Proficient in Business - exhibiting domain expertise in your selected discipline(s) of study

As one of our more than 20,000 business alumni, you will be a living example of our mission in action. You will carry our legacy forward by finding meaning in your work, advancing sustainability, building inclusive organizations, driving innovation, or giving back to your community. Your journey will inspire current students and shape the future of our college.

Our faculty are the foundation of our college. They are not only scholars and experts but also mentors and changemakers. They bring research to life in the classroom, creating knowledge that challenges norms and opens doors. Their dedication fuels our momentum and reminds us that teaching business for good is both a responsibility and a calling. Relatedly, the staff in our college support our students, faculty, and alumni and provide a foundation to assist in shaping future leaders.

It is an incredible responsibility to steward a college committed to educating with purpose, leading with integrity, and making a meaningful difference in the world. I am proud of what we have accomplished in Zimpleman and even more excited for what lies ahead.

As Dean, it is both an honor and a privilege to lead our college of Business Bulldogs, where values and vision go hand in hand. Our mission is clear: to prepare the next generation of business leaders to create a positive impact in their organizations, communities, and the world. Welcome to a college where business is not just what you do; it is how you make things better.

Alanah Mitchell, Ph.D.
Aliber Distinguished Professor and Dean

About Dean Mitchell

Before serving as the Dean, Alanah (pronounced A-lāy-nah) served as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in Zimpleman, where she oversaw college faculty and curriculum development. During her tenure as Associate Dean, she led significant efforts to streamline course offerings, effectively reducing redundancies and optimizing resources to achieve substantial cost savings for the institution. By closely analyzing course structures and enrollment trends, she led efforts to implement strategic changes to enhance efficiency while continuing to achieve student outcomes. Relatedly, Alanah worked to develop a new faculty onboarding process, ensuring incoming faculty were well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the curriculum. She also worked with faculty to update college structure and policies, aligning them with the changing AACSB accreditation requirements and reinforcing the college's commitment to maintaining high academic standards and continuous improvement.

Alanah's research is in the field of information technology and is focused on technology-supported collaboration. Her work has been published in premier information systems journals and cited in popular press outlets ranging from Harvard Business Review to The Washington Post. She is also co-author of a book titled The New Workplace: Employee Alignment in Remote-First, Office-Forward, and Hybrid Work Organizations, published by Palgrave Macmillan. In 2019, Alanah was inducted by the Association for Information Systems (AIS) into the inaugural class of AIS Distinguished Members, Cum Laude. Her service with this organization has included roles as the President for the AIS Special Interest Group on IT Project Management from 2013-2016 and the President of the Midwest Association for Information Systems (MWAIS) from 2022-2023. Her conference leadership positions include serving as a Program Co-Chair for the Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) 2016 in San Diego, CA, Program Co-Chair for MWAIS 2020 in Des Moines, IA, and Program Co-Chair for AMCIS 2023 in Panama City, Panama. Alanah also served as the inaugural Associate Vice President of Conference Management Systems for AMCIS from 2018-2020. In recognition of her leadership and service, Alanah received the AIS Saundra Slaughter Service Award (2019) as well as the AMCIS Outstanding Conference Service Leadership Award (2022).

Alanah joined Drake University as a faculty member in 2015 and has taught undergraduate, graduate, and executive education courses during her tenure. Before joining Drake University, Alanah was a faculty member and researcher in the John A. Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University. Her doctorate is in Information Technology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Education

• Ph.D., Information Technology, University of Nebraska at Omaha
• M.S., E-Commerce, Creighton University
• B.A., Computer Information Systems and Marketing, Simpson College

Related Links/Articles

Website: alanahmitchell.com
CV: Mitchell, Alanah