All posts by Emily Erschen

Campus Announcements Archive

Japan Study Abroad Info Session March 10

Interested in studying abroad in Japan?

The Incoming Team at Kwansei Gakuin University, located in Osaka, Japan, will host an info session in March for students who may be interested in studying abroad in Japan.

The session will include a short greeting from the Contemporary Japan Program Director, an introduction of the university and the exchange program, a mock class, as well as an introduction to KGU Campus life and a Q&A.

The Info Session is scheduled for Monday, March 10 at 8:00 pm. Register here to attend:  https://kgu-exchange-infosession.eventbrite.com

This session is aimed towards:

  • Students interested in studying in Japan but still exploring options
  • Students planning to study abroad at KGU
  • Students already nominated to KGU but wanting to learn more
  • Faculty or staff interested in learning more about the program

— Emily Erschen, Global Engagement

HR Information Archive

Call for Nominations: Levitt Employee Excellence and Community Service Awards

All Drake faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2025 Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service and Employee Excellence Awards.

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. The Distinguished Community Service Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. The criteria to be eligible for each of these awards can be found here.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.  The subject line should read “Madelyn M. Levitt Award Nomination”.  The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Monday, March 3.

For additional information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Do It for a Day Wellbeing Challenge

If you would like to make (or continue making) healthy changes in 2025 but find yourself getting easily distracted by everyday responsibilities, this challenge is for you.

From March 3 through March 30, you will be given two challenges per day that cover one or more dimensions of wellbeing.  You select the one you want to complete that day, or if you are feeling ambitious, complete them both.  The goal is to complete at least one challenge on 25 of the 28 days.  If you succeed, turn in your completed form for a chance to win a prize.

This is a challenge you can do on your own, or invite family, friends, or co-workers to join along.  Make it a competition to see who can complete the most challenges!

Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Friday, Feb. 28 to register.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Spring D(AI)logues with the Center for Teaching & Learning

Throughout the spring, join the Center for Teaching & Learning and your faculty and staff colleagues for informal lunchtime conversations about the on-going influence of generative AI on campus.

Held each month in the Faculty Lounge, Howard Hall, Room 212, each Spring D(AI)logue is scheduled multiple times throughout the week to accommodate as many schedules as possible. Visit the Campus Calendar page for more information, including all the available dates and a brief description of each month’s topics.

— Bret Sikkink, Drake Online

For Students Archive

Free Personal Finance Development Tool

Are you interested in improving your money management skills? Do you wish you knew more about investing and credit? Do you need to learn more about the benefits that employers offer? Drake University has partnered with GradReady® to provide a free digital platform where you can learn about these topics at your own pace from any device.

Visit drake.gradready.com to create your account and get started today.

— Ryan Zantingh, Financial Aid Office

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Call for Nominations: Global Scholar/Practitioner-in-Residence

The Principal Center for Global Citizenship invites nominations for the Global Scholar/Practitioner-in-Residence program for Spring 2026, seeking to attract talented individuals from academia or the professions who have outstanding international expertise to teach a course, mentor students, give public lectures, work on joint research with faculty, and aid the global capacity-building of the institution through fruitful external collaborations. One scholar will be selected.

Nomination Instructions

Candidates should be nominated by the academic unit to which they will be attached. Please submit the following supporting materials:

  • A nomination letter discussing the qualifications of the candidate and expected contributions to the department and University as a whole
  • Candidate’s biographical information and CV
  • A letter of interest from the candidate
  • A letter of support from the department chair and college/school dean, including how the scholar advances departmental and college/school strategic goals related to internationalization

Nominations should be directed to Annique Kiel, executive director of Global Engagement and International Programs, by April 4, 2025. Preference will be given to practitioners or scholars from one of Drake’s global partners. Units considering a nomination are encouraged to consult with Annique prior to submission.

Among the criteria to be considered for the nominee:

  • A record of recognized international leadership and distinguished professional accomplishment in their field
  • A demonstrated commitment to global capacity-building and responsible global citizenship
  • An ability to bring a uniquely global perspective to the Drake community
  • A willingness and ability to offer courses that complement the existing curriculum and meet rigorous academic standards.

In recognition of their contributions, Global Scholars/Practitioners receive a stipend, a travel allowance, an appropriate workspace in the host college/school, and access to university facilities. Global Scholars/Practitioners will be affiliated with an appropriate academic unit for the semester and will offer at least one course.

— Erin McSween, Cowles Library

Strategic Updates Archive

Drake Launches Improved Academic Catalog

The Office of the Registrar is excited to announce the launch of the new and improved Academic Catalog.  The new catalog features improved course and program search as well as the ability to access course information directly from program requirements.  The new catalog can be found at https://catalog.drake.edu.

Questions or feedback can be shared by emailing registrar@drake.edu.

— Ryan Trump, Office of the Registrar

HR Information Archive

Build a Bulldog Contest

Last year Human Resources held a “Build a Bulldog” contest as part of employee appreciation month.  We had some fantastic entries, so we are going to do it again!

To participate, simply click HERE to print off an outline of Griff II for the contest. Decorate the picture using whatever artistic materials you wish and send your completed picture to Linda Feiden, HR, 3rd floor Old Main, by Monday, March 10. You are welcome to submit multiple entries if you have budding artists at home, and don’t forget to put your name on the back of each entry.  All entries will go through a preliminary screening and the finalists will be on display for faculty and staff to vote on at this year’s BINGO event on March 12.  More details on the BINGO event will be shared soon!

If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu.

Campus Announcements Archive

Roads to Religion 2025

On Sunday, Feb. 23, from 3–5 p.m., Drake University’s The Comparison Project, in conjunction with the “Iowa Interfaith Exchange,” hosts “Roads to Religion” in the Olmsted Center (Parents Hall) on Drake’s campus. The event, which is free and open to the public, features dozens of local religious communities, collectively representing at least a dozen religious traditions. These communities will be arranged throughout the hall as if on a map of the metro area. Visitors will receive a map to guide them in their exploration of them. Refreshments will be provided by Drake’s catering service, Sodexo.

The ”Iowa Interfaith Exchange” includes Drake’s The Comparison Project and three other local nonprofits: CultureALL, the Des Moines Area Religious Council, and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.

— Catalina Samaniego, College of Arts & Sciences