All posts by Jeanette Tran

Campus Announcements Archive

Last Chance to Request “Humanities Reads” Book, Natasha Brown’s Assembly

The Center for the Humanities invites you to join us in reading Natasha Brown’s razor-sharp 102-page novella, Assembly.

Drake students, faculty, or staff who want a book can request a free copy via this Google form.

Books will be available for pick-up at Nos Books, located in the Drake neighborhood, during the first 2 weeks of the spring semester (Jan 26-Feb 6). An optional but celebratory catered book chat will take place on Friday, March 6, at 10am, so readers can share their thoughts on the book.

The goals of this common read are to celebrate books and human ingenuity, and to promote connections among students, faculty, staff, and the Drake neighborhood through a focused reading experience. Please join us.

— Jeanette Tran, Associate Professor of English

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Blackboard Hours (Formerly Ultra)

Drake Online & Continuing Education and the Center for Teaching & Learning are hosting Blackboard Hours this week, prior to spring semester. Learn more about the new look and feel of Blackboard and get your courses ready to go with the assistance of Drake Online’s learning design services staff.

Each two-hour block features an optional 15-minute informational session about the most recent Blackboard updates, followed by walk-in office hours. You can see the full list of dates, times, and locations on the Blackboard Development Opportunities page.

Please complete this form to indicate when you plan to come and what types of questions you have. Your feedback helps us adequately staff and prepare to assist you.

— Bret Sikkink, Faculty Development Specialist

For Students Archive

Student Internship Opportunity

Are you ready to experience a career in research administration? The Iowa Research Administration Internship Student Experience (I-RAISE) is your gateway to a dynamic and rewarding future!

Funded by the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) GRANTED program, I-RAISE offers an unparalleled opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students from six partner institutions (Drake, ISU, UNI, Simpson, Dordt, Central College).

Dive into a comprehensive program that includes a classroom-based bootcamp, a 10-week summer internship at Iowa State University, and 12-week fall and spring internships here at Drake. Gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and invaluable connections to job opportunities across Iowa. Plus, enjoy financial support and resources throughout the program.

Don’t miss out on this chance to experience the world of research administration! For more information and to apply, click here!

Applications are due: 02/02/2026

If you have questions, please reach out to Lori Byrd (lori.byrd@drake.edu) or Preston Miller (preston.miller@drake.edu) in the SPARC office.

— Preston Miller, Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance

Campus Announcements Archive

“Humanities Reads” Returns in 2026 with Natasha Brown’s Assembly

The Center for the Humanities invites you to join us in reading Natasha Brown’s razor-sharp 102-page novella, Assembly.

Drake students, faculty, or staff who want a book can request a free copy via this Google form.

Books will be available for pick-up at Nos Books, located in the Drake neighborhood, during the first two weeks of the spring semester (Jan 26-Feb 6). An optional but celebratory catered book chat will take place on Friday, March 6, at 10 a.m., so readers can share their thoughts on the book.

The goals of this common read are to celebrate books and human ingenuity, and to promote connections among students, faculty, staff, and the Drake neighborhood through a focused reading experience. Please join us!

— Jeanette Tran, Associate Professor of English

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Survey of Administrative Services: Finance Report

 The Offices of Finance and Financial Aid would like to thank everyone for taking the time to complete the Survey of Administrative Services earlier this fall.  We have gained valuable feedback to help us maintain and improve the services we provide to students, faculty, and staff.

 Ratings were consistent with prior year ratings.  Each of the departments within Finance individually scored between 4.4 and 4.7 on the 5-point scale.  The overall satisfaction with the services provided by the Offices of Finance and Financial Aid score was 4.48 compared to 4.62 in 2024.  While there is always room for improvement, the unit’s staff are clearly doing their best to meet our service-oriented objectives to:

  • Ensure our constituents are engaged and informed,
  • Ensure integrity and transparency,
  • Process university resources timely and accurately, and
  • Improve service excellence.

The comments included in the survey were very helpful.  We appreciate the many positive comments that recognized outstanding service provided by staff.  A number of comments referenced the impact on services from staffing levels and turnover, along with the Workday implementation.  The Finance staff are doing our best to manage through the challenges and will come out of the Workday implementation in a better position.  We request your continued grace as we work to streamline and continually improve our operations.

Thank you again for participating in the Survey of Administrative Services and please know that your input is reviewed and analyzed by the entire staff of the Offices of Finance and Financial Aid.

— Adam Voigts, Chief Financial Officer

For Staff Archive

Call for All Staff Council Nominations

 Do you know a staff member who would like to make an impact to strengthen the staff experience on campus? Nominate them (or yourself!) NOW for All Staff Council. The following three-year positions are available:

  • Chair-Elect: Sits on the Executive Board. Serves their first year as Chair-Elect, their second year as Chair, and their third and final year as Past-Chair.
  • Governance Committee: Finalizes the structure of All Staff Council by developing rules. Conducts yearly elections and attends to any rules changes, recommendations, or policies proposed.
  • Recognition Committee: Strives to make sure staff members are recognized and rewarded for a job well done, feel appreciated for the work they do, and are welcomed as valued members of the Bulldog community.
  • Special Events/Community Service Committee: Develops and implements plans for special events on campus and creates awareness of community service opportunities available for staff participation.
  • Special Interest Committee: Explores initiatives, questions, and/or concerns presented to All Staff Council through research, planning, and collaboration with appropriate offices on campus.

Nominations are due Friday, February 20 by midnight. Elections will be held in the spring. Newly elected members will begin their three-year term on June 1, 2026. Learn more about All Staff Council here.

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Core Values Recognition at Provost’s Social Jan. 22

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of Generosity of Spirit will be recognized at the next Provost’s Social, Thursday, Jan. 22, in the Cowles Reading Room beginning at 4 p.m. 

How do we define Generosity of Spirit at Drake? We look for colleagues who trust, empower, and presume the best of others, practice civility, caring, and respect, and are committed to equity and inclusion. 

To nominate a colleague, please use the Qualtrics form. All those nominated will be recognized on a rolling display during the event.  When you nominate colleagues, be prepared to describe how each colleague meets these descriptions. From among those nominated, several will be chosen at random for prizes. 

Refreshments will include an assortment of beverages and light snacks. This is a family friendly event. Feel free to bring your children or partner! 

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Provost’s Office

Campus Announcements Archive

Inviting Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Awards

In 1994, the Madelyn Levitt Awards were created in honor of Madelyn Levitt’s commitment to Drake and her ongoing interest in faculty and staff achievement and academic excellence. Each year they are awarded to various individuals in recognition of their excellence in a respective area of achievement consistent with Drake University’s mission and core values.

Invitations for nominations for the various awards are accessible via the respective links below. All Drake faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to nominate a Drake faculty member for the appropriate award(s) per the instructions included therein.

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award.pdf

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Mentor of the Year Award.pdf

 Nominations for the Madelyn Levitt Scholar of the Year Award.pdf

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Provost’s Office

For Faculty Archive

Inviting Applications for the Ron Troyer Fellowship

The Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Endowment was created to recognize Provost Ronald Troyer’s unwavering commitment to supporting faculty research and development at the highest level. At this time, the application process for the Troyer Research Fellowship is open and applications are due on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested applicants should click ​here​ to access the call for applications.

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Provost’s Office

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Reminder: Required System Updates Arriving Soon

This is a reminder that beginning this month, ITS will be rolling out essential system updates to all campus Mac and Windows computers. Please watch for update notifications and install them as soon as possible to ensure your device remains secure and up to date.

  • Windows devices: Will receive the Windows 25H2 update.
  • Mac devices: Will be upgraded to macOS Tahoe.

Updates will be delivered through your computer’s standard update process. Prompt installation helps protect both your device and the campus network.

If you need help or have questions, visit service.drake.edu/its or call the Support Center at 515-271-3001. Our team is ready to assist you.

Thank you for supporting campus technology security!

— Becky Klein, ITS