Drake Online and Continuing Education has recently been restructured into two key functional areas: Enrollment Management Services and Learning Design Services. This restructuring reflects our ongoing commitment to providing seamless, high-quality support across the entire online student journey—from inquiry and enrollment through course design and delivery.

The following leadership appointments are part of this restructuring:

• Dianna Gray, promoted to Strategic Director of Enrollment Management Services
• Shannon Hilscher, promoted to Manager of Learning Design Services

Dianna and Shannon have demonstrated exceptional leadership, collaboration, and dedication to Drake University, and will guide their teams effectively through this next phase of transition and growth.

Enrollment Management Services will focus on recruitment, admissions coordination, and student success operations to ensure an outstanding experience for prospective and current online learners. Several team members have taken on new or expanded roles within Drake Online:

• Suzanne Wisslead, promoted to Senior CRM Specialist
• Kelly Marckres, transitioned to Enrollment Management Specialist
• Tracy Davies, transitioned to Program Assistant for Enrollment Management

We are also pleased to welcome two new colleagues to the team:

• Crystal Fierro-Galbraith (joined August 2025) as Enrollment Management Specialist
• Sam Fiducci (joined January 2025) as Digital Marketing Specialist

Learning Design Services will continue to advance excellence in online course design, faculty collaboration, and the integration of innovative teaching practices and technologies. With this enhanced focus on student-centered, engaging learning experiences:

• Nichole Kiefer Stabile’s title has changed to Learning Design Specialist
• Trey Leech (joined November 2025) as a Learning Design Specialist

Supporting both teams, Bill Klein has transitioned to the role of Learning Analytics and Innovation Specialist, where he will manage data systems, analyze enrollment and learning trends, and implement technological solutions to support  our goals.

Additionally, Kendra Colbert serves as Office Support Coordinator, overseeing daily administrative operations, supporting staff, and ensuring the smooth coordination of office functions.

These changes position Drake Online for continued success in expanding access to high-quality online education. Please join me in congratulating our colleagues on their new roles and in welcoming our newest team members to Drake Online!

— Belle Cowden, Associate Provost for Online Programming

Griff II is partnering with the Parent Advisory Board to collect items for Little Free Pantries in the Drake Neighborhood during Family Weekend. Bring non-perishable food and/or personal hygiene products to Griff in Olmsted on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9–10 a.m. He will be there to pose for pictures, receive ear scratches, and field your compliments and positive affirmations. Griff will then make the rounds in the Griffmobile and fill up the pantries to help struggling neighbors. Griff hopes to see you! 

— Erin Bell, University Communications & Marketing

The campus community is invited to tune in for a special Everclass session on Aug. 19 at 12 p.m. via Zoom. The session will feature two Bulldogs who are taking their talents to the world stage. Reed Fischer, a 2017 Drake grad and elite marathoner, is headed to Tokyo as part of Team USA after clocking a 2:10:14 at the 2024 Chicago Marathon. Joining him will be Blake Boldon, Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays, who will serve as Men’s Head Manager for Team USA. The two previously teamed up at international events, and now they will reunite at the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Hear their stories, insights, and what it means to represent both Team USA and Drake University on a global level.

Register to attend: https://drake-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/QC-EBDv_SbW9QKTIuFT15A#/registration.

Everclass is a series of virtual discussions designed to inspire Drake alumni and friends to dive into topics that will fuel curiosity, creativity, connection or career potential. All classes feature a keynote speaker, a panel discussion, or a Q&A style with a moderator. See a list of upcoming sessions.

— Andy Verlengia, Director of Alumni Relations

With The Ones: Drake’s Campaign for the Brave and Bold having come to a successful close in October 2024 securing more than $265 million in gift commitments, the University maintained the campaign website for eight months before archiving it and taking it offline. This means any materials, including email signatures, containing links to the site are no longer active. However, you can still find campaign results and video content for each of the campaign priorities on Drake’s newsroom. 

Update your email signature 

If your email signature still includes The Ones logo at the bottom, please follow these steps to updated it:  

• In Outlook, select “Outlook” in your top navigation 

• Select “Outlook Settings” 

• Select “Signatures” 

• Under “Signature Name,” highlight your current signature and click “Edit” 

• This will open an editable window. Simply highlight the bottom portion of your signature with The Ones logo and delete it. Then click “Save” 

Recycle campaign materials 

We are no longer using our campaign brochures (AKA case statements). Please find a time to recycle any unused materials. 

— Pam Pepper, University Advancement

Drake and The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center will host an event to celebrate the expansion of no-cost Character Counts! early childhood resources to nearly 1,700 classrooms in Polk County.

WHO: Students, Faculty, and Staff
WHEN: Thursday, May 15, from 9 to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: The Gregory & Suzie Burt Boys & Girls Club.

The initiative is made possible by generous grant funding from four major community partners: the Lauridsen Family Foundation, Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant Program, Polk County Community Development and Community Betterment program, and the Gartner Family Foundation.

The campus community is invited to attend the event and hear from Walter Lauridsen who will speak on behalf of the four organizations responsible for the grants and from Cassidy LeCroy, director of The Bob & Billie Ray Child Development Center. Scott Raecker, executive director of The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, and Marty Martin, Drake University president, will also deliver remarks.

— Amy Smit, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center