Category Archives: For Faculty Archive

For Faculty Archive

Spring Courses Sought for “Generations Over Lunch”

The Office of Community Engaged Learning and WesleyLife Meals on Wheels kicked off an intergenerational lunch-and-learn series this fall, with four Drake instructors and their courses sharing meals and topical discussions with seniors from around the community. Instructors interested in hosting a “Generations Over Lunch” event as a component of an upcoming spring course are invited to submit proposals here.

Selected instructors will receive a $600 stipend, furnished by the Fitzsimmonds Charitable Trust, and work with the CEL Office and WesleyLife to create a plan for presenting course topics to an intergenerational audience as a component of a CEL course. They will also be eligible to participate in a community of practice through Academic Affairs for additional compensation.

Please contact CEL Director Mallary Allen with questions or to discuss ideas. Topics that lend themselves to personal reflection and intergenerational comparison, as well as classes scheduled over traditional brunch, lunch, or dinner times, will receive top consideration. Spring 2026 proposals are due Nov. 10.

— Mallary Allen, Community Engaged Learning

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Last Day to Complete Annual Survey of Administrative Services

Thank you to those of you who have completed the Survey of Administrative Services, but we still need to hear from more of you!  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 today. 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.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

For Faculty Archive

Textbook Alternative Dashboard, OER Grant Program

Cowles Library has developed a Textbook Alternatives Dashboard that displays both Open Educational Resources (OER) and library-purchased e-Books currently used by faculty in their courses. OER are free, adaptable, and easily accessible materials that help reduce student costs while giving instructors the flexibility to tailor content to better fit their teaching and students’ learning needs.

See the OER Initiatives Research Guide for more information on the current faculty OER grant program. The application deadline has been extended to Oct. 31.

— Hope Bibens, Cowles Library

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Provost’s Social today at 4 p.m.

Faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of Joyful Accountability will be recognized at the Provost’s Social today, Oct. 21, at 4 p.m. in the Schicklers Club (formerly known as Courtside Club). This is a family friendly event. Please join us to congratulate your colleagues who have been nominated for exhibiting Joyful Accountability!

— Ann Guddall, Provost’s Office

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Reminder: University Budget Town Hall Nov. 4

As a reminder, 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

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan: Our Strategic Plan

As always, you are encouraged to review Drake’s Continuous Improvement Plan. This is our strategic plan and lists out all our objectives along with major University initiatives. Please take time to explore how each of those objectives are embodied in many ways across our campus life. You can do so by clicking on the  “Learn more” link or the “+” in each objective area to see more on student, faculty, and staff successes.

This site is continuously updated and can be found any time by going to the drake.edu home page, clicking on ‘Campus Links’ at the top and selecting ‘Strategic Plan’.

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

2025 United Way of Central Iowa Giving Campaign

Our annual opportunity to contribute to United Way of Central Iowa, as a University, is coming again in November.  Your optional contribution can be financial, volunteering, and/or needed supplies. We’ll continue to have some fun, giving-level incentives as well.  This especially includes the incentive of getting a full-day off on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving instead of a half-day—if we can hit our campaign participation goal!

The campaign will kick-off on Monday, Nov. 10, with an email from United Way of Central Iowa and will conclude on Friday, Nov. 14. Some highlights to share:

  • The campaign is part of our commitment as an anchor institution and to the Des Moines community
  • One hundred percent of the funds donated remain in central Iowa (Polk, Dallas, and Warren counties)
  • Serves over 10,000 people in the 50311 zip code
  • United Way financially supports many organizations that are partners with Drake including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa

More details about this years campaign, giving level incentives, volunteer opportunities, and a supply drive is forthcoming in the next OnCampus.

— Nate Reagen, Office of the President

For Faculty Archive

Drake Faculty OER 2025 Grant Program

Cowles Library, with support from the Office of the Provost and the Deputy Provost’s Office, is excited to announce another grant opportunity for full-time Drake faculty interested in adopting, adapting, or creating open educational resources (OER) in their courses. OER are free, adaptable, and easily accessible, saving students money while also allowing instructors to customize content to better fit their teaching and students’ learning needs.

See the OER Initiatives Research Guide for more information on the grant and a link to the application.

— Hope Bibens, Cowles Library

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Incorporate Mental Health Education Into Your Class

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

 

 

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

All Staff Council Brunch Bake Off

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