W. Brooke Elliott
Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean
At Gies Business, our purpose is to help others hone their purpose. We shape purposeful leaders through life-changing access to education, research, and innovation. But what exactly does that mean for you?
When you’re a Gies Business learner, you gain tools and knowledge to help channel your passions and interests into a purposeful career that allows you to make an impact in an area that’s important to you.
As an alum, you join a global network of more than 79,000+ Gies Business alumni. With our online courses, certificates, and degrees, you can continue to be a lifelong learner throughout your career.
As faculty, you teach our learners to lead with intention. And outside the classroom, you conduct innovative and impactful research. As staff, you support our faculty, learners, and alumni, laying the foundation that shapes our purposeful leaders.
The cornerstone of our purpose is life-changing access. Put simply, we want to impact more lives for the better – making quality education more affordable and flexible to meet people where they are in their journey.
We’re a community of learners, alumni, faculty, and staff. And we want every single person at Gies Business to know they are seen, heard, valued, and an important part of our learning community.
I am tremendously proud to lead Gies Business as we continue to expand access and change lives. Because around here, we’re truly more than business. We’re business on purpose.
“We believe in continuous improvement and building on our deep understanding of where our learners come from, what their experiences look like, and how those experiences vary.
Our goal is to empower every learner to find their path to purpose, put it into practice, and proudly represent Gies."
W. Brooke Elliott
Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean
The Gies Purpose & Beliefs
At Gies, we've been a leader in business education for more than 100 years, and one key to our success is that we remain grounded in who we are and stay true to our priorities which have guided us so far. We don't talk about mission, vision, and values in a traditional sense; instead, we encourage our learners, faculty, and staff think about who we are, why we exist, and how we work to achieve our goals. Our Purpose Statement, Commitments, and Beliefs define who we are, and they guide our decisions every day.
Purpose
Gies Business shapes purposeful leaders through life-changing access to education, research and innovation.
Commitments
Expand ACCESS to world-class business education, transforming lives in an inclusive culture where all are seen, heard, and valued.
Foster EXCELLENCE in scholarship and teaching, which provides value for business and society and delivers educational opportunities at all stages in the learner journey.
Fuel INNOVATION through a diverse, engaged community that’s inspired to discover new ways to do business and new ways to teach business.
INCLUSION permeates all of our commitments and everything we do. Inclusion is essential for our scholars, learners, teachers, and leaders to thrive.
Facilitate meaningful life-long ENGAGEMENT with the Gies Community in our pursuit of a shared purpose.
Beliefs
Common Humanity
We believe in honoring every person with dignity and respect and creating space for authenticity and opportunity.
Inclusive Belonging
We believe in building meaningful connections with empathy and fostering a community where all feel seen, heard, and valued.
Purposeful Innovation
We believe in celebrating curiosity, challenging assumptions, and pushing boundaries to lead and model what’s next.
Perpetual Learning
We believe learning and scholarship are ongoing pursuits that enrich individuals, organizations, and our community.
Meaningful Work
We believe in pursuing purpose and fulfillment to make work matter—for the betterment of ourselves and others.