All posts by Linda Feiden

HR Information Archive

Food Bank of Iowa BUILD Presentation April 7, 2–3 p.m.

Bergetta Beardsley from the Food Bank of Iowa will be presenting a BUILD session at Drake to discuss hunger myths and how we can all play a role in helping our neighbors in need.  Learn the Food Bank of Iowa’s role and its relationship with supporting partners across 55 counties as well as locally in Polk County/Central Iowa.  This session will be held Tuesday, April 7, from 2–3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Conference Room 310/311.

To register for this class, and any other upcoming BUILD classes or tours, there is an online registration link to a Qualtrics survey.

BUILD is a great platform for learning new ideas as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others from across campus.

Please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu with any questions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

For Students Archive

Puppy Yoga April 4 at the Bell Center

Come to the Bell Center Fitness Studio on Saturday, April 4, at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. for a fun, relaxing session of puppy yoga. The session will include 30 minutes of instruction, followed by 15 minutes of puppy cuddles and play. Spots are limited, so sign up now on the Drake Rec. App.

This event is in collaboration with Drake Student Activities Board (SAB) and the Animal Rescue League of of Iowa (ARL).

— McKinleigh Holland, PH

Campus Announcements Archive

Save the Date: DUCURS Showcases STEM Student Research April 16

Join us for the Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS) on the afternoon of Thursday, April 16.

DUCURS is an annual event that celebrates faculty-mentored student research across STEM disciplines. Students are invited to submit abstracts for poster and oral presentations by April 3. This is an excellent opportunity to share research, gain presentation experience, and engage with peers, faculty, and the broader scientific community. Learn more about DUCURS in this video, and visit the DUSCI website for details on abstract submission, conference registration, and the full schedule.

DUCURS 2026 will feature student-faculty collaborative research presentations, along with opportunities to connect at community partner tables, where local organizations will share information about internships, experiential learning opportunities, and STEM career pathways. The conference will also include a keynote lecture “Maternal Antibodies Protect Infants from Enteric Pathogens,” delivered by Drake alumna Dr. Kathryn Knoop (AS ’06), Associate Professor of Immunology at the Mayo Clinic.

All members of the Drake community are invited to attend DUCURS and celebrate student scholarship.

— Heidi Sleister, Professor of Biology

HR Information Archive

Employee Appreciation Month Shout-Outs

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources encouraged everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee.  This is a great way to recognize others.

Thank-you to everyone who took time to thoughtfully submit one or more shout-outs.  You certainly shared your “Generosity of Spirit”!  The complete list of shout-outs, highlighting the best in us, can be found on the Human Resources Employee Recognition Page on myDrake, under “SHOUT-OUTS”.

We hope you continue to find ways to show your appreciation to staff, faculty, and student employees across campus.  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

Strategic Updates Archive

A New Digital Front Door: Drake.edu Redesign to Launch This Summer

For the first time in 12 years, the University is undertaking the work of a comprehensive website redesign for drake.edu. This process has been informed by significant audience and usability research and has entailed collaboration between our partner Carnegie, University Communications and Marketing (UCM), and Information Technology Services (ITS)—all with input from individuals in each college/school and nearly every University department. 

Evaluating the need for a website redesign began in 2024, at which point the site had not only grown to more than 5,000 pages—many of which were outdated, duplicative, or contained errors—but more broadly, the site had significant room to grow in terms of accessibility, usability best practices, and ease of navigation. The new site will improve the experience for prospective students and families seeking information to aid in their college search decisions, while providing the opportunity to streamline access to content most relevant to faculty, staff, and students via a refreshed internal site structure. The end result will be an enrollment-first destination for prospective students and families with a focus on usability best practices, enhanced content and functionality, updated branding, and modern accessibility standards.  

The new site will launch in Summer 2026—prior to which we will issue further communications and introduce a new internal resource site to keep faculty, staff, and students informed of progress and next steps.  

While this site will become more robust in time, in the short-term, you can find information about the five-phase approach for the new website, including a detailed description of what’s been completed, what’s underway, and what comes next. Before the end of the semester, we will update this internal resource site and communicate need-to-know information about how the new site will be managed, as well as where some of the previously housed information on the current site is being moved to internal sites. 

The UCM and ITS teams would like to thank the many individuals across the University who have contributed to this project’s success. 

Learn more at our internal resource site.

— John Krantz, University Communications & Marketing

 

Campus Announcements Archive

Submit a Nomination for the Iowa Character Awards 2026

The Iowa Character Awards celebrate individuals, organizations, and communities who exemplify integrity, leadership, responsibility, and service. Each year, we shine a light on Iowans who make a meaningful difference through their commitment to strong character and positive impact.

You can help ensure the role models in your life receive the recognition they deserve. A thoughtful nomination makes a lasting impact; your words help us understand the values, leadership, and influence of those you are recommending.

Nominations are open to anyone and must be submitted by 11:59 PM on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Learn more and submit a nomination at: IowaCharacterAwards.org.

— Samantha Hilbert, The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center

Campus Announcements Archive

Harkin Retirement Security Symposium to be Held April 14

The 2026 Harkin Retirement Security Symposium will focus on a broader financial wellness theme supported by panels along the continuum of retirement security policy issues. The speakers will discuss policies supporting retirement savings access and accumulation, navigating Social Security and Medicare, and the intergenerational impacts of these programs, access to retirement planning, retirement income decisions, and long-term care policies and supports. The symposium is a hybrid event, with in-person and virtual options for attendance, and will be available for free on The Harkin Institute YouTube channel after the event.

Register here

Cost
There is no cost to attend in person or online, but a donation is encouraged and greatly appreciated to help continue this important work.

Accommodations
American Sign Language (ASL) and live captions in English will be available for all attendees.

If you have any questions regarding accommodations please contact us at harkininstitute@drake.edu.

Parking
In-person attendees will be able to park in lot 24, next to the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center. More information about obtaining a vistor parking pass will be sent to registered attendees before the event.

Attend in-person or online
This is a hybrid event. Attendees have the choice to attend in-person at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, or virtually.

The in-person event will take place at Parents Hall in the Olmsted Center at Drake. Lunch will be provided.

Online attendees will watch a livestream and will have the opportunity to participate in Q&A.

Learn more and register here.

— The Harkin Institute

Campus Announcements Archive

Registration Open For An Evening with Charlie Cook

Charlie Cook is back to discuss the state of American politics and the 2026 primary season.

Register here

About

An Evening with Charlie Cook will take place on Wednesday April 15, 2026, at the Sheslow Auditorium and The Harkin Institute YouTube channel. The event offers an opportunity to hear insight and analysis on the state of American politics from one of the nation’s leading authorities on the U.S. political landscape. As the country moves through another pivotal election cycle, Cook will share his perspective on the 2026 primary elections, emerging political trends, and the broader forces shaping the national political environment ahead of the general election.

Cook is a political analyst for National Journal, founder of the Cook Political Report, co-author of recent editions of the Almanac of American Politics, and a member of the National Advisory Council for The Harkin Institute. Known for his nonpartisan analysis and deep understanding of electoral politics, Cook regularly provides insight on the evolving dynamics influencing campaigns, parties, and voters across the country.

An Evening with Charlie Cook is made possible by a generous gift from friends of The Harkin Institute and Drake University who wish to remain anonymous.

Accommodations

American Sign Language (ASL) and live captioning (CART) will be provided. Further accommodations can be requested on your ticket order form or by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu

Learn more and register here.

— The Harkin Institute

For Students Archive

Attend Student Led Q&A With Charlie Cook

Join a student led Q&A with Charlie Cook ahead of his discussion on the state of American politics and the 2026 primary season.

Register here

About
Join us for a student-led Q&A with Charlie Cook on Wednesday, April 16, 2026 from 2–3:15 p.m. at The Harkin Institute.

The Q&A will take place before his talk at the Sheslow Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

An Evening with Charlie Cook offers an opportunity to hear insight and analysis on the state of American politics from one of the nation’s leading authorities on the U.S. political landscape. As the country moves through another pivotal election cycle, Cook will share his perspective on the 2026 primary elections, emerging political trends, and the broader forces shaping the national political environment ahead of the general election.

Cook is a political analyst for National Journal, founder of the Cook Political Report, co-author of recent editions of the Almanac of American Politics, and a member of the National Advisory Council for The Harkin Institute. Known for his nonpartisan analysis and deep understanding of electoral politics, Cook regularly provides insight on the evolving dynamics influencing campaigns, parties, and voters across the country.

Learn more and register here

— The Harkin Institute