Drake Achieves Level 4 ‘Transforming School’ Designation in the 2026 Positive Impact Rating
Drake University and the Zimpleman College of Business have once again secured their position as a global leader in responsible education, earning the prestigious Level 4 “Transforming School” designation in the 2026 Positive Impact Rating (PIR) for business schools. The Positive Impact Rating Association coordinates the annual program recognizing top business colleges worldwide.
Drake remains one of only seven business schools in the United States to achieve this elite tier. The international survey measures how effectively institutions are turning business education into a force for societal change. To achieve Level 4, a university is defined as having a positive impact on culture, governance, and systems, with visible results in many impact dimensions.
“What makes the Positive Impact Rating so meaningful to us is that the grade comes directly from our students,” said Alanah Mitchell, dean of the Zimpleman College of Business. “To know that our students recognize and validate Zimpleman as a ‘Transforming School’ proves that our mission isn’t just words on a syllabus, it is a core part of our culture. Drake is committed to equipping the next generation of leaders with the ethical framework they need to change the world for the better.”
Teaching by Example
The Zimpleman College of Business core curriculum equips students with the ethical frameworks and leadership skills needed to build businesses that are both profitable and responsible. Drake faculty lead by example, proving that these principles extend far beyond the classroom through both hands-on community outreach and data-driven research.
On the outreach front, Assistant Professor Claire Muselman, Ed.D., launched “Sparkle & Strength: A Self-Care Series for Child Advocates.” This year-long initiative provided professional development and self-care training to more than 120 child welfare professionals and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers across 14 Iowa counties.
Simultaneously, faculty research is driving social change in the area. Associate Professor Lendie Follett and her coauthors analyzed over 460,000 client choices at a food pantry using traditional marketing segmentation. By mapping client preferences to demographics, the research provides food pantries with data-driven tools to better understand their visitors and serve their communities more effectively.
This international recognition reflects a sustained strategic commitment rooted in the College’s recent history. Foundational initiatives included the creation of the Dean’s Honor Roll for Social Impact for students and the annual Social Impact Research and Outreach Awards for faculty and staff.
Looking ahead, the Zimpleman College of Business continues to build on this momentum by focusing on three core societal impact areas: propelling first-generation business student success, supporting mission-driven businesses, and accelerating access to financial inclusion. By anchoring its curriculum and outreach in these pillars, the College ensures that its global recognition isn’t just a reflection of past achievements, but a roadmap for sustained, generational impact.