All posts by Emily Erschen

For Students Archive

Apply for DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville

Apply for the DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville program through Via Global.

Priority deadline: Monday, September 1

Scholarship deadline: Monday, September 15.

Drake is currently accepting applications for DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville, where you can study abroad in Spring 2026 in the vibrant capital of the Andalusia region of southern Spain.

This upcoming spring, a cohort of Drake students will study at the University of Seville with Drake Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability David Courard-Hauri. Students enroll in one Drake course and round out their semester credits taking a variety of courses taught by Spanish and international faculty. University of Seville courses can be pre-approved to count towards your major(s), minor(s), concentration, and/or AOIs.

Drake course offered:

ENS 050: Sustainable Food Systems in Southern Spain (AOIs: Engaged Citizen or Scientific Literacy)

When studying abroad on DU Spain: Drake Semester in Seville, students are charged Drake tuition and keep their financial aid package, making your experience abroad comparable in cost to staying right here in Des Moines. In addition, we award over $100,000 in global learning scholarships every year!

If you have any questions, please reach out to studyabroad@drake.edu or schedule a study abroad advising meeting through Starfish.

— Emily Erschen, Global Engagement

For Students Archive

Father’s Day Gift Ideas at the Bulldog Shop

Father’s Day is June 16, and at the Bulldog Shop you’ll find thoughtful gifts to celebrate the Drake dad in your life. Need a little inspiration? Check out these favorites:

Drake University Dad Crewneck – A cozy favorite he’ll wear with pride.

Drake Nike Polo – A timeless piece that brings Bulldog style wherever he goes.

Drake University Dad Mug – A daily reminder of his Bulldog pride—perfect for his morning routine.

Shop now—Father’s Day will be here before you know it!

— Bulldog Shop

Campus Announcements Archive

You’re Invited: Welcome Reception for Mandela Washington Fellows June 24

Drake is proud to host 25 Mandela Washington Fellows for six weeks this summer as part of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Join us to welcome the Fellows at a reception on Tuesday, June 24, at 5 p.m. in Fischer Stelter Hall, Johansen Center (Ballroom). The Drake community, along with the community partners who are interacting with the Fellows, are welcome to attend. Appetizers will be served. For questions regarding the reception of YALI, contact yali@drake.edu.

— Sara Heijerman, Student Services Center

Campus Announcements Archive

Long-Term Care Policy Options Webinar

The cost of long-term care has nearly doubled from the early 2000s to 2024, both for at home care and nursing home care. These costs are out of reach for everyone except the wealthiest households. Long-term care costs are internalized by caregiver families in some combination of the following: diminished or lost earned income, early retirement, direct caregiving expenditures, and mental and physical health issues.  There are a variety of policy options to address this economic burden on families across the income distribution. Join us for a free webinar featuring a panel of leading experts on LTC policies to learn more about current state, national, and international policies addressing long-term care needs.

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025

Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m. CT

Location: Zoom Webinar (link will be sent to attendees closer to the event)

Cost: Free, but registration is required.

Accommodations: Live-captioning in English will be provided for attendees. American Sign Language interpretation is only available upon request due to interpreter shortages throughout Iowa. ASL and other accommodation requests can be made by emailing harkininstitute@drake.edu.

Click here to register!

— Kathryn Kuckelman, Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement

HR Information 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, ping pong and golf, to a fitness walk and 5K run. 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

Campus Announcements Archive

Congratulations to the 2025 Drake Student Leadership Award Winners

The 2025 Adams Leadership Awards Ceremony, held on May 3, recognized exceptional student leadership, service, and engagement across the Drake University campus. Please join us in celebrating the following students, staff, and organizations for their remarkable impact on our community:

  • Outstanding First-Year Students: Allie Koenigsfeld & Sean Groh
  • Outstanding Sophomore Students: Emerson Whittemore & Audrey Martin
  • Outstanding Junior/P1 Students: Eli Benson & Olivia (Liv) Swaney
  • Outstanding Senior/P2 Students: Josie Hildreth & Skylar Lathrop
  • Oreon E. Scott Legacy Award: Ashley Dyson
  • Outstanding Bright College Student: Princess Winters
  • Outstanding Transfer Student: Brooklynn Grooms
  • David Maxwell Outstanding Student Organization President: Eli Benson
  • Outstanding Student Organization Officer: Chloe Isbell
  • Outstanding Residence Hall Leaders: Valerie Vera & Sean Groh
  • Wanda E. Everage Outstanding Peer Mentor Award: Elliot Nelson & Mia Stefani
  • Drake Outstanding Individual Service Award: Beth Posey
  • Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Mary Edrington
  • Outstanding Student Organization: NAMI on Campus
  • Outstanding Group Service Award: American Pharmacist Association (APhA)
  • Outstanding Educational Program: AOE Club: Alpha Phi
  • Outstanding Social Program: Ramen Noodle Night at Herriott Hall
  • Outstanding Equity & Inclusion Program: Alpha Phi’s DEI Committee
  • Outstanding Alcohol Alternative Program: Dogtown After Hours
  • Outstanding Collaboration Award: SAA’s 2024 Halloween Hoops

We are proud to recognize these students and organizations for their dedication to leadership, service, inclusion, and community-building. Their contributions continue to shape a stronger and more connected Drake University.

—Kristin Economos, Senior Director, Adams Leadership Institute

Campus Announcements Archive

Cowles Library May Featured Collections

Stop by Cowles Library to explore our featured collections. Find something new, engage with fresh perspectives, and discover resources that support you through the end of term.

As the end of the term approaches, take a moment for yourself with our Mental Health Awareness Month collection. Whether you’re seeking a good book to unwind, tools for focus, or ways to relax, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Sensory Collection for sensory regulation resources, grab a self-measure blood pressure device to keep track of your heart health, or take a moment to relax with our community puzzle or records at the record player station. Stop by, take a break, and discover something new to recharge at Cowles Library.

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with books that spotlight the rich diversity, culture, and history of AAPI communities. From memoirs and fiction to stories of activism and resilience, these works give voice to a wide array of experiences. Learn about the trailblazers and everyday heroes who’ve shaped the AAPI community and explore fresh perspectives that continue to influence our world today.

— Joanna Stankiewicz, Cowles Library

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake University Social Science Journal

The 2025 edition of the Drake University Social Science Journal is now available at: https://www.drake.edu/dussj/currentedition/.

The Journal publishes exceptional social science research conducted by Drake University students. Any current Drake undergraduate (or recent graduate) is eligible to submit a paper on a topic in the social sciences (political science, international relations, anthropology, sociology, economics, history, and social psychology).The first edition of the Journal appeared in 1999 (back editions are available at: https://www.drake.edu/dussj/). 

The 2025 edition features articles by Lauren Buchanan, Stell Depuydt, Mitchell P. Davis, Catalina Samaniego, and Chloe Q. Slater. 

The Journal’s student editorial board consisted of Berkeley Coyne, Anna Knueve, Lizzy O’Neel, Carson Smith, Reid Stevens, and Madison Tarr. 

Congratulations to the above students for their hard work and dedication to high-quality social science research.

— David Skidmore, Professor of Political Science/Global Citizenship Director

HR Information Archive

Adventureland Park Discount Tickets

Opening Day for Adventureland Park is Saturday, May 17. Drake employees may purchase discounted tickets by going to AdventurelandResort.com/PromoCode.  Select how many tickets you want to purchase, enter the promotional code DRAKE (must be all CAPS and no spaces) and click REDEEM.  You will be routed to their online discount ticket website to complete your purchase.  Discounted tickets are $37.99 + tax.  This price does not include parking.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources