All posts by Heidi Sleister

Campus Announcements Archive

Call for Applications: DUSCI Summer Research Fellowship Program

The Drake Undergraduate Science Collaborative Institute (DUSCI) will host ~10 summer research fellows for an eight-week, full-time, paid summer research experience from May 26 through July 17, 2026.

The DUSCI Summer Research Fellowship Program offers STEM and STEM education students an opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor on a significant research project. Fellows gain valuable hands-on research experience, problem solving, and professional communication. The program helps students strengthen preparation for graduate study, health professions, teaching, research careers, and other STEM-related pathways.

Applications are due Wednesday, April 1 at noon, and should be developed and submitted by students in collaboration with a faculty research mentor.

This program is made possible through support from the Drake University President’s Office, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, School of Education, NASA- ISGC Base Program, and the Clifford G. Rea Endowment. Students doing research on campus in the summer with funding from other sources are invited to join the DUSCI cohort.

Additional program details, eligibility information, and application materials are available on the DUSCI website. Please reach out to Heidi.Sleister@Drake.edu with questions.

— Heidi Sleister, Director of DUSCI

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council Presents Trivia

Join All Staff Council on Monday, March 23, from 2:30–4 p.m. in Parents Hall North, Olmsted Center, for trivia. All are welcome—form a group or come as an individual and join a team. The Provost’s Social will take place following the event, held at the same location. It is sure to be an afternoon of fun! Sign up at: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1IaKSUMYwhrbdps.

— Toni White, On behalf of All Staff Council

HR Information Archive

Recognize a Colleague with a “Shout Out”

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources is encouraging everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee.  This is a great way to recognize others.  Simply write a sentence or two of appreciation for an individual or team and submit it to linda.feiden@drake.edu between now and March 25. They will be compiled and posted in the March 31 edition of OnCampus.

Sharing positive energy is contagious.  When you look for the good in people, you strengthen relationships, improving both their lives and your own.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

Join the Drake University Honors Program for a Special Event Recognizing Charlene Skidmore

You’re invited to join the Drake University University Honors Program for a special event recognizing Charlene Skidmore for her extraordinary service and lasting contributions to the Honors Program.

For 35 years, Charlene served Drake University and the Honors Program, providing continuity, leadership, and care across generations of students and through many changes in faculty leadership. In recognition of her remarkable legacy, the Honors Program will dedicate a plaque in her honor to be displayed in the Medbury Honors Lounge.

We invite members of the campus and alumni community to join us on Friday, April 24, from 2–3:30 p.m. in the Medbury Honors Lounge for remarks and light refreshments as we celebrate Charlene’s many years of dedication to the Honors Program and Drake University.

— Kendra Colbert, Drake Online and Continuing Education

For Students Archive

Paws and Reset Day: Free Tacos, Yoga, and Mental Health Resources

Take a moment to pause, breathe, and recharge at Paws & Reset Day on April 2. Join us in the Olmsted Breezeway and Pomerantz Stage from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for free tacos, activities, mental health resources, and giveaways. Start your day with yoga from 10–10:30 a.m.

Hosted by Drake’s Holistic Wellness Committee and the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) Program, this event is open to all students—stop by, take a break, and stay as long as you’d like.

— Sydni Jennings, Director of Access and Success

Campus Announcements Archive

Update on Student Payroll Transition Timing

A recent announcement described plans to move student-employee payroll from monthly to bi-weekly, but it has become necessary to move this transition out by about one year. The Workday project team has become aware that making this change prior to launching Workday will significantly increase the complexity of the project and introduce potential for errors in payroll processing.

By delaying the transition, we can remove a significant source of risk, reduce complexity, and better ensure that Workday payroll fully aligns with our current Banner system.

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work to implement Workday the right way and continue to Transform Our Future.

— Chris Gill, Chief Information Technology Officer

Campus Announcements Archive

Digital Decluttering: It’s Good for You and the Earth

Spring is a great time to refresh more than your home or office—it’s also an opportunity to clean up your digital workspaces. Over time, files pile up, folders multiply, and it becomes harder to find what you need. But did you know that excess digital clutter also has an environmental impact? Storing unnecessary files consumes energy in data centers, contributing to a larger digital carbon footprint. By being intentional about what we keep, we help conserve energy and reduce the University’s overall resource consumption.

Start with your files in OneDrive and Teams. Take a few minutes to delete drafts and documents you no longer need and organize your active files into clearly named folders. You may also want to review shared folders or Teams channels you no longer use. As members of a campus community, we can all be good stewards of University resources by managing our digital storage responsibly.

One of the easiest ways to reduce digital clutter is to share links instead of emailing files. Using the “share” option in a digital document keeps everyone working from the same version, helps avoid confusion from multiple copies labeled “final,” and minimizes redundant data storage. These small actions, when added up across campus, can make a noticeable difference in our collective digital footprint.

The best news is that you don’t have to do everything at once. Even a quick 10-minute cleanup can help you feel more organized and efficient, while also supporting sustainability efforts and responsible use of University resources this spring.

Becky Klein
Assistant Director, Campus Engagement

For Students Archive

Unexpected Journeys: Arts & Sciences Alumni Networking Event

Discover where an Arts & Sciences degree can take you. Join us on Thursday, March 26, from 5–7 p.m. in Johansen Student Center, Room 50 (Fisher-Stelter Hall) to hear alumni share the twists, turns, and defining moments of their career paths, from surprises and challenges to meaningful wins (registration required). Gain practical insights, learn from their experiences, and connect with fellow students and graduates during this engaging networking event.

Alumni Participants:

  • Abigail Adrian, B.A. Law, Politics, and Society, M.S. Leadership
    Employment Navigator Caseworker at Lutheran Services of Iowa
  • Dan Kreipke, B.S. Environmental Science and Policy
    Director of Programs and Outreach at the Science Center of Iowa
  • Kelly Current, B.A. History and English
    Special Campaigns Coordinator at Blank Park Zoo
  • Jill Wells, B.F.A. Painting, Minor in Art History
    Artist, Advocate, Mentor at Jill Wells Art – Mainframe Studio 447

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ybke5s5b

Refreshments will be served and free professional headshots will be available.

Come practice networking and build lasting connections with Drake Arts & Sciences Alumni!

— Jill Allen, Associate Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

For Students Archive

Slay Fund for Social Justice: Call for Summer Internship Applications

Slay Fund for Social Justice: Call for Summer Internship Applications

The Slay Fund for Social Justice invites applications for funded student summer internships, available to current Drake undergraduate or graduate students for Summer 2026.

Interested students should identify a community organization or non-profit group working on a project related to community engagement, diversity, or social justice and submit a letter of interest and a copy of their resume/curriculum vitae to Dr. Jill Allen, Director of the Slay Fund for Social Justice, at slayfund@drake.edu.

Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2026, with funding decisions announced before the conclusion of the Spring 2026 Semester.

Program Requirements and Details

  • Community organization or non-profit organization partner identified, with project goals that align with the Slay Fund for Social Justice.
  • Application letter should identify project goals, contact information for internship supervisor, and a description of how the proposed internship advances both student learning and community partner goals.
  • Ability to commit to 15-20 hours per week for approximately 5-6 weeks in the summer.
  • Start and end dates of the program are flexible (based on student and community partner need), between June 1, 2026 and August 1, 2026.
  • Attendance at a pre-internship orientation meeting in May 2026.
  • Submission of a post-internship critical reflection at the conclusion of your experience, with willingness to inform the Slay Family of learning outcomes, by August 15, 2026.
  • Stipend: $1,250 awarded to student for successful completion of internship experience.
  • Preference will be granted to internship projects that are traditionally unpaid and/or supporting non-profit organizations.

Students are encouraged to follow the guidance of the Office of Community Engaged Learning & Service for identifying potential community partners or utilizing the DUGood platform to find current opportunities.

About the Slay Fund for Social Justice

The Slay Fund for Social Justice is a wide-ranging endowed fund which aims to (1) support programs and initiatives which directly advance social justice and (2) continues important ongoing work around advancing social justice work in the Drake community. This fund is made possible through the generous support of Drake alumni, Brent and Diane Slay, who have shared in Drake’s commitment to elevate diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice conversations and encourage social justice action.

— Jill Allen, Slay Fund for Social Justice Director