2026 Dean's Annual Report

A Message from Our Interim Dean

Leading With Purpose, Innovation, and Impact

About the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School 

Preparing Leaders for Greater Purpose

At Pepperdine Graziadio, our mission is to develop principled leaders who inspire transformation within organizations, communities, and the world around them.

Set against the backdrop of Malibu and grounded in values of purpose, service, and leadership, Graziadio offers an educational experience that connects rigorous academics with practical application. With a global network of more than 50,000 alumni and a presence that reaches from Southern California to international markets, our influence extends across industries and cultures alike.

What sets Graziadio apart is the personal nature of the experience. Students learn in an environment where relationships matter, collaboration is encouraged, and faculty combine academic distinction with real-world expertise. Here, success is measured not only by professional advancement, but by the positive difference our graduates make in the lives of others.

Through every classroom experience, partnership, and program, we empower students to lead with integrity, think strategically, and create lasting impact, for Greater Purpose.

Our Mission

Inspired by our Christian values, and commitment to academic excellence, we seek to:

• Foster transformational learning,
• Create applied knowledge, and
• Equip our students to lead lives of purpose, service, and leadership.

Our Programs

Programs Designed for the Future of Work

We design graduate business programs with today’s evolving workforce in mind. Our portfolio supports professionals at every stage of their journey, from early-career students building foundational skills to experienced leaders preparing to drive strategic transformation.

Each program is intentionally developed to align with market needs while empowering students to grow personally and professionally. Whether you are earning your first graduate degree, advancing into leadership, or expanding your influence within an organization, Graziadio offers flexible pathways that help you build momentum, elevate your career, and lead with purpose.

Rankings and Forging the Future

Rankings and Recognition: A Year of Distinction for Pepperdine Graziadio

Pepperdine Graziadio Business School continues to rise among the nation’s top business programs, earning accolades across prestigious rankings that highlight our commitment to academic excellence and meaningful impact.

From the Classroom

Where Purpose-Driven Leaders Grow

Graziadio students and alumni bring ambition, curiosity, and a strong sense of purpose into every classroom experience. As professionals committed to growth, they embrace opportunities to challenge themselves, expand their perspectives, and lead with integrity.

This year, students and alumni launched ventures, advanced innovative ideas within their organizations, and contributed meaningful solutions across industries and communities. Their journeys reflect the transformative nature of the Graziadio experience, one that empowers students to become thoughtful leaders prepared to serve and lead with intention.

New Enrollments by the Numbers

A Community Growing With Purpose

Our enrollment reflects a growing community of students who bring diverse experiences, perspectives, and aspirations to Pepperdine Graziadio. Together, they create a dynamic learning environment grounded in purpose, connection, and a shared commitment to meaningful leadership.

Diversity by the Numbers

Cultivating a Community Rooted in Belonging

Our Christian mission serves as the foundation for a community where every individual feels a genuine sense of belonging and diverse perspectives enrich the learning experience.

By engaging across cultures, backgrounds, and experiences, we develop the understanding and collaboration skills essential for thoughtful leadership in a global society.

Faculty Research

Faculty Research That Moves Business and Society Forward

Great ideas don’t stay in the classroom; they shape conversations, challenge assumptions, and drive change. At Graziadio, our focus on creating and disseminating high-quality applied research comes to life through the work of our distinguished faculty.

More than educators, our faculty are mentors, innovators, and thought leaders who blend academic rigor with decades of industry experience. With most holding PhDs or DBAs, they bring a depth of knowledge and a spirit of inquiry that fuels both their teaching and their research.

This year, their scholarship addressed some of the most urgent topics of our time. Their work is globally recognized and deeply relevant, sparking meaningful dialogue in the classroom and informing business practices across industries.

Impactful Scholarships

Thought Leadership That Shapes Business and Society

Our faculty are leading meaningful conversations at the intersection of business, innovation, and purpose. Through influential research, thought leadership, and publications in leading academic journals, Graziadio faculty advance knowledge and bring fresh insights from the classroom and research to organizations and communities around the world.

Event Spotlight

Moments That Moved Us: Keynote Events

Throughout the year, Pepperdine Graziadio hosted a powerful lineup of events that brought together our community to explore critical topics shaping the landscape of business. These gatherings not only deepened engagement with current students, alumni, and industry leaders but also served as meaningful touchpoints for expanding awareness of our programs. By spotlighting timely themes such as sustainability, healthcare innovation, startup leadership, and ethical business, our events position Graziadio at the center of market-relevant conversations and attract mission-aligned professionals seeking growth and impact.

The Graziadio Board

Leadership Guiding Graziadio’s Future

Established in 1969 by George L. Graziadio, Jr., the Graziadio Business School Board plays a vital role in shaping the school’s future and strengthening its mission. Composed of accomplished leaders committed to service, innovation, and community impact, the Board provides strategic insight and guidance that supports the school’s long-term growth and sustainability.

Grounded in Pepperdine’s values, Board members help ensure thoughtful stewardship of institutional resources while advancing initiatives that position Graziadio for continued relevance and influence in an evolving global business landscape.