All posts by Chelsea Funk

For Students Archive

J-Term Travel Seminars Still Accepting Applications

If you missed the priority application deadline for J-Term 2026 travel seminars, don’t worry. There are still many programs accepting applications. See the links below for more details on each program and/or to start an application:

There is no fee to apply, and applications submitted now are considered on a rolling basis. Students can contact Chelsea Funk (chelsea.funk@drake.edu) with any questions.

— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagement

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

National Student Employment Week is April 14-18

April 14-18 is National Student Employment Week! Student employees perform invaluable services to the campus community.

Supervisors, would you like to recognize your student employees? Here are a few low- to no-cost ideas:

  • Bring in treats for your student workers or put together a goodie bag
  • Write a hand-written note expressing your appreciation
  • Help students with their career preparation – offer to review their resume or write a letter of recommendation
  • Decorate office doors, desks, or bulletin boards with signs expressing your appreciation
  • Highlight students on your social media pages, or submit a student/group spotlight to Career Services to be highlighted on Instagram – just send a photo and quote to Amanda Martin, amanda.martin@drake.edu

We are also thankful to the many on-campus supervisors who support the development of Drake students every day!

— Amanda Martin, Academic Excellence and Student Success

HR Information Archive

“Walk this May” Step Challenge

As the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to get outdoors and get moving!  If you need a little nudge, join this year’s Walk this May team step challenge!  During the month of May, teams will record their weekly step counts. Team step totals and team rankings will be shared weekly to keep the competitive juices flowing.

To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Wednesday, April 30, with your list of 4 to 8 team members, team name, and team captain.  Grab your shoes and let’s get going!

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Join Drake’s Team for the Des Moines Corporate Games

Join Drake’s Corporate Games team!  This annual company-based competition for organizations in central Iowa runs from May 18 through July 31.  With over two dozen events to choose from, Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) is a great way to meet new people and have fun.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Try everything from pickleball and golf, to a fitness walk and trivia. You may participate in as many events as you want.

All in-person activities will be held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except golf cart rental). ALL Drake faculty and staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are invited and encouraged to join Drake’s team.

To participate in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Strategic Updates Archive

Beautiful Bulldog Contest April 21

We are less than one week away from the 46th Annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest®. The contest will take place Monday, April 21. Doors will open at 5 p.m. to enjoy the Rescue Dog Festival and Kids Zone before the pageant begins at 6 p.m.. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a t-shirt giveaway for the first 125 students to show up with their Drake ID.

The Beautiful Bulldog Contest® at Drake University is a unique trademarked event with an over 40-year history. The event kicks off a week-long Drake Relays celebration. Thirty English Bulldogs walk the pup-way to impress judges in hopes of being crowned the Most Beautiful Bulldog. The winner of the contest will reign as the Most Beautiful Bulldog for the 2025 Drake Relays.

For questions, email beautifulbulldog@drake.edu.

— Courtney Conrad, Alumni Relations

News & Achievements Archive

U.S. News & World Report Ranks Drake Law School Among Top 100 in the Nation

Drake University Law School was ranked among the top law schools in the nation in the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Law School rankings. The latest ranking at #84 marks the third year in a row of ranking within the top 100 schools in the country.

The annual rankings evaluate institutions on their graduate job placement, faculty resources, academic profiles of entering students, and peer evaluations regarding perceived program quality. These rankings place a special emphasis on bar passage rate and graduate job placement.

“I am proud to share that our ranking of 84 marks only the third time in our history that we have been recognized among the top 100,” said Roscoe Jones, Jr., dean of the Drake University Law School. “This achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our faculty and staff, who prepare our students to be practice-ready upon graduation, our driven students, and our accomplished alumni.”

In addition to the overall ranking, Drake Law’s legal writing program ranked #17 in the country and was ranked #60 for Clinical Training.

This year’s ranking comes on the heels of several other acknowledgments of Drake Law School’s excellence in preparing students for future career success. This year, Drake Law has been recognized by preLaw magazine as a top school in four practice areas including family law, human rights, trial advocacy, and practical training. Drake was also recognized as a top school for Women Leadership in preLaw magazine’s Back to School 2024 issue.

“We have long been one of the best kept secrets in legal education, and our steadfast focus on delivering practice-ready education is now drawing well-deserved attention,” said Dean Jones. “Our community benefits from a robust education in legal theory, enriched by hands-on experiences that equip our graduates with the skills they need to thrive from day one in their legal careers.”

See the full list of U.S. News rankings for Drake Law School here.

— Taylor Johnson, Law School

HR Information Archive

New Employee Orientation April 30

Managers, please encourage your new employees to attend the first available New Employee Orientation after their employment. Either the manager or new employee can RSVP by sending an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu in Human Resources.  Please put “NEO” in the subject line of the email.

The next available New Employee Orientation session will be held Wednesday, April 30, from 9-11 a.m. in Levitt Hall, 2nd Floor, Old Main.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Sprout Garden Hiring for Summer Employment

Staying in Des Moines over the summer? Interested in gardening or working with youth? The Sprout Garden needs you. Find more information about our Maintenance Coordinator and Youth Program positions on Handshake (links below). Both positions are also open for the 2025–2026 school year. Apply by April 25 by sending your resume and cover letter to mallary.allen@drake.edu.

Summer Sprout Garden Maintenance Coordinator:
https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/9782821

Summer Sprout Garden Youth Education Coordinator:
https://app.joinhandshake.com/emp/jobs/9782952

— Mallary Allen, Community Engaged Learning

For Students Archive

Call for Proposals: Co-Host a Second Saturday Social Event

Are you part of a student organization looking to bring exciting, community-focused events to campus? The Holistic Wellness fund, in collaboration with Campus Recreation, Counseling, Student Life, and Access & Success, is launching a brand-new initiative—Second Saturday Social.

We are inviting student organizations to apply for funding to host a social event on the second Saturday of select months: September, October, November, and February. Each event will take place between 7–11 p.m. at either Johansen or Olmsted and will receive $500 in event support from the Holistic Wellness fund.

This is a great opportunity to create fun, engaging, and inclusive experiences for students while fostering wellness, connection, and campus spirit. Whether you envision a game night, open mic, cultural celebration, wellness workshop, or something completely unique—your organization can help shape these dynamic Saturday nights!

Proposal Details:

  • Who Can Apply? Any registered student organization
  • Funding Available: $500 per event
  • Event Timing: Second Saturday of September, October, November, and February (7:00 – 11:00 PM)
  • Location: Johansen or Olmsted
  • Application Deadline: Friday, May 9

Interested in hosting? Submit your proposal today and bring your vision to life!

For more information and to apply by May 9 at  https://forms.office.com/r/QGpMZr4L2f. Don’t miss this chance to make your mark on campus.

— Laura Shell, Academic Success & Retention