About Darden
Darden 2026 Launchpad - School Mission - About the Darden School of Business
Darden 2026 Launchpad
Explore Darden’s 2026 Launchpad—our priorities to accelerate transformational learning, thought leadership, community, and platforms for long-term impact.
As Darden approaches its 75th anniversary in 2030, we're accelerating toward a bold vision: to be the best business school in the world.
We define excellence not in terms of external rankings or metrics, but by leading the field in transformational impact through a unique model that combines our signature, learner-centered educational experience with rigorous, relevant research to inspire responsible leaders and shape the practice of business and its influence on society. The Darden 2026 Launchpad represents a focused period of strategic action — building on a decade of record success to become the global leader in transformational business education.
Our vision is to be the best business school in the world.
Within the next decade, Darden will accelerate all facets of its mission to:
- Lead the world in developing responsible leaders across all career stages
- Advance rigorous thought leadership that shapes business practice for a complex, dynamic world
- Cultivate a thriving, values-driven community inspiring deep stakeholder engagement
- Secure resources to invest for generations to come
Four Enduring Pillars
The 2026 Launchpad is grounded in four enduring pillars, foundational priorities that will guide Darden’s strategic investments and initiatives not just through 2026, but for years to come:
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Transformational Learning: Renewing our learning model for the AI age — reinforcing the power of the Darden education that changes how leaders think, act and contribute to society, deepening our case-based, human-centered pedagogy and expanding reach through innovation in degree and executive education programs.
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Research & Thought Leadership Excellence: Amplifying faculty impact through world-class research infrastructure — becoming the hub where insights shape business practice, policy and global discourse.
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People & Networks: Investing in our community of faculty, staff, students and alumni — building a culture of belonging while activating our network as mentors, connectors and career catalysts worldwide.
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Platforms for Success: Strengthening our foundation through diversified revenue, sustained philanthropy and endowment growth—while deploying AI and data-driven tools to enhance learning, operations and connection.
The Darden 2026 Launchpad isn't just a plan — it's our commitment to action. We're building the platforms, cultivating the talent and accelerating the ideas that will define business education for the next generation.
Leadership in Transition
Darden welcomes Interim Dean Mike Lenox as Emeritus Dean Scott Beardsley ascends to the presidency of the University of Virginia. The 2026 Launchpad positions our incoming 10th Dean for success through sustained momentum and institutional clarity.