Published on July 14, 2026 by Catherine Smith  

Student Presenting at BIIF PitchIn a business landscape that demands both competence and character, Brock School of Business continues to expand experiential learning opportunities that prepare students to lead with purpose. The 2025-26 academic year marked the launch of two new initiatives designed to do just that: the Brock Impact Investment Fund and the Brock Consultancy. Together, these programs place students at the center of real-world decision-making, sharpening professional skills and emphasizing Christ-centered leadership. 

The Brock Impact Investment Fund (BIIF) offers students a hands-on introduction to faith-based investing through real capital deployment and disciplined analysis. Rather than simulating portfolios in the classroom, students engage with real dollars while evaluating companies through both financial and faith-based lenses. Through a partnership with the Impact Foundation, students gain insight into how capital is deployed into values-aligned companies, exposing them to the full lifecycle of impact investing.

The experience equips students not only with financial acumen but also with a framework for aligning professional success with Christian calling.

Students at Smith's VarietyWhile the BIIF immerses students in the world of impact investing, the Brock Consultancy launches them into client-facing problem-solving. Established as a student-led consulting agency, the Brock Consultancy connects teams of business students with real organizations seeking strategic marketing insight.

Students work to address challenges in areas such as market research, operational strategy, financial analysis and growth planning. Guided by faculty mentors, they develop recommendations, present findings to clients and learn to navigate professional expectations in high-stakes environments. 

Designed to mirror the demands of modern consulting and corporate roles, the Brock Consultancy helps students build portfolios of tangible work before graduation. It also strengthens career readiness by developing skills employers consistently seek: communication, collaboration, critical thinking and adaptability.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.