The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business officially launched its bold new five-year strategic plan, Palumbo-Donahue 2030: Enhancing Distinctive Excellence (PD 2030), designed to deliver difference-making education and experiences that will set graduates apart in business, community, and society.
PD 2030 is a call to action. The renewed Vision, Mission, and Values, along with the Five Strategic Goals, set a clear, transformative vision for the School, reflecting both the challenges and opportunities in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.
Vision, Mission, Values
Our Vision
We aspire to be the best student-focused business school known for…
- Difference-making education that instills the inclusive Spiritan mindset and transforms lives
- In-demand graduates who change companies and the world for the better
- Innovative thought leadership that improves business and society
Our Mission
We develop sought-after business leaders who possess the ethical character, Spiritan mindset, and solutions-oriented skills needed to be global difference makers. We accomplish this through faculty and staff who deeply engage our students, alumni, and community partners to create:
- Educational experiences that improve lives
- Solutions to important business and social challenges
- Thought leadership with lasting societal impact
Our Values that Drive us Forward
- Passionate about our students and instilling practical wisdom
- Driven by ethics and principles of integrity
- Encouraging inclusiveness, belonging, and collaboration
- Developing leaders who improve the world
- Pursuing research that matters to business and society
Five Strategic Goals:
- Offer in-demand educational programs that set our graduates apart through difference-making experiences that transform business, community, and society.
- Create external partnerships that deliver difference-making, entrepreneurial solutions for important ethical, strategic, and sustainability challenges facing organizations and communities.
- Strengthen the ability of our faculty to inspire all students and produce difference-making research.
- Strengthen our School’s Business of Difference Making® brand and elevate our external visibility with key constituencies.
- Significantly increase philanthropic resources in the School to remove entry barriers for students, enhance difference-making educational experiences, improve faculty support, and create and maintain learning environments that are second to none.
News Information
In 2023, Dean McFarlin established the Strategic Review Working Group (SRWG), comprised
of six members (listed below) representing a range of advisory committees. Drawing
on their expertise as Duquesne graduates and active leaders within the School’s advisory
council community, the participation of the SRWG ensured that those who have lived
the Duquesne experience helped set the vision for the School’s future. During Spring
2025, the School sat down with four members of the SRWG to learn more about their
roles in developing PD 2030. When asked about the School’s unique position as a well-known and respected Pittsburgh
institution, recognized for its exceptional student experience and outcomes, Heidi
shared, “More than any one goal in the plan, I am excited about what underlies each
of them – a drive to differentiate the education students receive at Duquesne and
empower them to be difference-makers in their future careers. Duquesne has the privilege
of having proved there is a proven return on investment with a degree from the Business
School.” Jared believes that PD 2030 sets the tone for a dynamic future, stating “[T]he goals
laid out in the strategic plan are intentionally ambitious...the school and its leadership
are better positioned than ever to achieve everything they set out to do.” He also
shared, “As the driving force behind the plan, Dean McFarlin led the working group
with zero sense of ego—creating a framework for open discussion and collaboration
that helped distill the group’s best ideas, always with the goal of maximizing the
quality of education, student experience, and outcomes.” For David, the excitement lies in how the plan translates into action. “I’m most passionate
about the elements of the plan that enhance the student experience,” he explained.
“It’s about moving beyond the classroom to provide difference-making opportunities—like
our capstone courses—that challenge students to solve real business problems. I believe
that we created a plan that reflects our culture of ethics and sustainability, and
one that students, parents, and strategic partners can clearly understand and embrace.” According to Justin, the PD 2030’s most engaging aspect is its “blended approach towards
scholarship, community, and practical knowledge.” He believes this rare combination
“will help students stand out in the competitive marketplace” and “sees a lot of effort
to build both better relationships with business leaders and to continue and improve
on the business school’s foundational elements of scholarships that matter, ethics
and integrity, and collaboration. Building from such a strong history is impressive
to undertake, and I was honored to contribute.” One message shared by these four members of the SRWG was clear, under Dean McFarlin’s
leadership, the collaboration between committee members, faculty, and students was
evident. Everyone in the room had a voice, and every idea was considered and valued.
With alumni experience and perspective woven throughout, PD 2030 serves as a shared
vision that connects Duquesne’s strong traditions, reflects the student experience,
and fosters an impactful, difference-making education that adapts to meet the ever-changing
needs of today’s business world. Thank You to the Strategic Review Working Group (SRWG) The SRWG met monthly from 2023 to 2024 and provided invaluable suggestions, guidance,
and feedback. Members included: *Active Council Member **Past Council Member
Alumni and Advisory Council Members Roles In Shaping PD 2030
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Heidi Murdy-Michael (A’96)
Jared Hoff (B’00)
David Warco (B’79)
Justin Mallgrave (Executive-in-Residence)
Senior Portfolio Manager, Federated Hermes Strategic Value Dividend Portfolios
Vice President, IT Transformation, Excelitas
Currently serves as an Executive-in-Residence for the School
(Ret.) National Partner in Charge, Risk Management Policy & Enterprise Risk, KPMG
Francise Owner & Career Coach, The Entrepreneur’s Source; (Former) Area VP, Advertising
Sales Operations, AT&T
(Ret.) International Tax Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP
Currently serves as an Executive-in-Residence for the School