The All Staff Council Recognition Committee recognized the Office of Global Engagement with a Bulldog Applause. Read below to learn more about this great team. A huge thank you to the Office of Global Engagement for all your hard work and dedication to the University.
How many staff members are in the department? 10 staff (including the director of the Nelson Institute, which is a faculty appointment). In addition, we have 3 adjunct faculty that teach in the Intensive English Program, and two faculty with appointments in our department (Post-Graduate Global Scholarships Coordinator, and Global Virtual Learning Fellow).
What is the primary function of the team? At the heart of our work is to deliver on Drake’s mission promise of responsible global citizenship, and to support our institutional commitment to infuse global and intercultural learning throughout the Drake experience. Areas within the Office of Global Engagement include: Education Abroad, International Student Recruitment, International Student and Scholar Services, Global Partnerships, The Nelson Institute, and the Principal Center for Global Citizenship. We support international mobility for students (inbound and outbound), cultivating and supporting global partnerships both locally and internationally, ensuring integration of international students into the Drake community, and providing funding and support for global programs and international opportunities for students, faculty, and staff.
What staff member has been on the team the longest? Annique Kiel, Executive Director of Global Engagement and International Programs (11 years)
Who is the newest team member? Jorona Johnson, International Student Advisor (6 months)
What campus building/s do your team members “live” in? Cowles Library
What are some recent accomplishments that others in the University might not know about? Drake was recently ranked #17 in the country for undergraduate participation in study abroad amongst doctoral institutions for 2019-2020.
How does this staff foster a sense of community and belonging through their activities or sharing together here at Drake? Our work is unique in that we work daily with students, faculty, and staff, spanning all areas of campus, on things ranging from advising to risk management to program development. We have a broad reach, working with all colleges and schools and most departments within the institution in one way or another. Drake is truly a global university, and it takes the whole institution to support our international programs and global engagement efforts. We foster inter-connectivity and offer transformational experiences. These transformational experiences often bring people together in ways that are otherwise not possible.
Other noteworthy/interesting/special information about your department/college: Our staff brings a wealth of international knowledge and experience to the institution. Collectively as a staff, we have lived in 18 countries (not counting the U.S.).
— Teresa Downs, On behalf of the All Staff Council Recognition Committee