We aim to create positive mental health environments both in the therapy office and outside in our Drake community. Faculty and staff can request to have a Broadlawns Drake Student Counseling Center staff member speak or guest lecture about counseling center services and other psychoeducational topics. Complete this form to request classroom support and select your topic(s) of interest.

— Tyler Jacobs-Lewis, Broadlawns Drake Student Counseling Center

 

 

Think you’ve got the best brunch dish on campus? Enter the All Staff Council Brunch Bake Off and show off your cooking skills. Casserole or pastry, sweet or savory—create your best dish for a chance to win prizes and bragging rights as Drake’s Brunch Champion!

Where: Johansen Student Center, Fisher-Stelter Hall

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 5

Time: 10 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Sign up no later than Oct. 20 to enter into the competition.

Everyone is invited! Beverages will be provided as well as sharing in all the yummy brunch dishes.

—Tiffany Hach, On behalf of All Staff Council

 

The call for travel seminar proposals for J-Term 2027 is now open. If you are considering proposing a travel seminar, your first step is to set up a meeting with Chelsea Funk to discuss your ideas.

Important Update: This year, Travel Seminar resources are available on our new Global Affairs internal site! The internal site replaces our previous PDF and has information on:

• Proposal submission guidelines (please read before submitting the Qualtrics)
• Program development
• Faculty eligibility and compensation details
• Additional resources will be published in the coming months for future stages of the Travel Seminar lifecycle, as well as other opportunities such as Faculty-in-Residence, etc.
• Note: These pages are currently only accessible using the link above – NOT from the Drake Internal Pages site. Please reach out to me if you have any trouble accessing the pages.

Dates & Deadlines:

• Submission: Sunday, November 16, 2025 (11:59pm)
• Department & Dean Approvals: Thursday, November 20, 2025
• Decision Notification: end of November 2025

Qualtrics Links:

Link to propose a NEW Travel Seminar

Link to propose a REPEAT Travel Seminar

*If you are uncertain which proposal link to use, please reach out to me to discuss!

The EAPIC committee looks forward to reviewing your proposals.

— Chelsea Funk, Global Engagement

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of Joyful Accountability will be recognized at the next Provost’s Social, Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Shivers Hospitality Suite beginning at 4 p.m.

How do we define Joyful Accountability at Drake? We look for colleagues who are curious, creative, bold, and brave, and who strive each day to be their best!

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!

— Ann Guddall, Provost’s Office

Earlier this month ITS officially kicked off the planned multi-year network refresh project. This project aims to replace all wireless access points and network switches on campus over the next three years. This work is essential as we work to support growing connectivity needs, plan for future wireless technologies, and maintain a secure campus network.

The project will be completed in two major phases. The first will be focused on replacing wireless access points across campus with the second phase being focused on replacing network switches.  While most of the new access points will replace existing older equipment, the team is working hard to identify areas where additional wireless coverage is needed and ensuring the resources are being leveraged in the best way possible. 

Below is the tentative planned roll out of the wireless access points across campus. Please note that these building groups and dates can change based on hardware availability and building event schedules. 

Building Type	Projected Implementation
Athletic Buildings	Fall 2025
Group 1 Administrative Buildings	Fall 2025
Group 1 Academic Buildings	J-Term 2026 / Spring 2026
Group 2 Administrative Buildings	Spring 2026
Residence Halls	Summer 2026
Group 2 Academic Buildings	Fall 2026 / J-Term 2027

We understand that stable and reliable internet access is critical to teaching, learning, and daily campus operations. To help ensure minimal campus impact, we will be reaching out to building managers prior to the start of work in their assigned building. We will notify them of projected start dates as well as identify any additional events or activities happening in that area.

For more information about the project and to see ongoing building status updates, please visit our project internal site. 

Network Refresh Project Internal Site 

— Jeff Regan, ITS

The University will hold a budget town hall on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Parents Hall. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to learn more about the fiscal year 2025 results, overall financial health, fiscal year 2026 budget, and a look ahead to future fiscal years. 

If you have questions you would like addressed at the town hall, please send them to president@drake.edu.

— Adam Voigts, Chief Financial Officer

Every fall, we ask for your input on how we fulfill our commitment to elevate service excellence. Your collective input is reviewed and acted upon. For examples from last year, see the responses from SPARC, ITS, and others.

It’s that time of year again and thank you for your input in advance! Your voice helps shape continuous improvement in these areas across campus: Facilities Planning and Management, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Public Safety, University Communications & Marketing, and the SPARC (grants) office.

Click here to complete this year’s survey by Oct. 21. It is completely anonymous and often takes less than five minutes to complete. You will only be asked to provide feedback on the areas you work with regularly.

The survey was developed by the Office of Institutional Research & Assessment in collaboration with each area on the survey. Thank you in advance for your participation.

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

Please join us in recognizing and celebrating Matt Miller, director of conferences and events, for his service to the University. An informal, farewell gathering will be held Thursday, Oct. 9, from 12:30-2:30 p.m. in the Drake Room, Olmsted Center.

Matt is leaving Drake University (his last day will be Friday, Oct. 10). His journey at Drake spans more than two decades—beginning as a student-athlete, continuing through his impactful work with Athletics, and culminating in his leadership in Conferences and Events.

Matt’s dedication, energy, and deep commitment to the Drake community has left a lasting mark. His contributions have shaped countless campus experiences, and his presence will be greatly missed.

We invite you to an informal going-away gathering to thank Matt and wish him well in his next chapter:

📅 Thursday, October 9

🕧 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM

📍 Drake Room, Olmsted Center

Let’s come together to celebrate Matt’s legacy and send him off with our appreciation and best wishes!

— Scott Law, Public Safety & Operational Services

Throughout the year, faculty and staff may nominate staff members or teams for excellence in learning, integrity, leadership, teamwork, and commitment to the Drake community and mission. The Called to Be True Blue award is a great way to express that commitment to one another. Selected individuals and teams receive a framed certificate and are placed in the running for the coveted Sapphire Award in the Spring.

A staff member (or group) who is Called to be True Blue is someone who exemplifies Drake University’s Core Values:

1. Joyful Accountability: I am curious and creative, bold and brave. I strive each day to be my best.
2. Generosity of Spirit: We trust, empower, and presume the best of each other. We practice civility, caring, and respect. We commit to equity and inclusion.
3. All In This Together: We embrace robust communication and transparency. We thrive through collaboration and teamwork.
4. Commitment to Mission: We are united in service to students and our communities. We act with integrity and purpose. We are optimistic about our future.

If this sounds like someone you know, submit your nomination today: Called to be True Blue Award Nomination Please forward this link to your teams and spread the word!

— Betsy White, Events Management