Category Archives: For Faculty Archive

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Drake Athletics Faculty and Staff Appreciation Game Nights

Cheer on the Bulldogs and take advantage of a special offer just for Drake faculty and staff. For select Faculty and Staff Appreciation Game Nights, Drake employees can claim one FREE ticket and purchase additional tickets for family and friends at a special discounted rate. Come out, show your Bulldog pride, and enjoy a great night of NCAA Division I athletics with the Drake community!

https://godrakebulldogs.evenue.net/promotions/STAFF

— Tim Tesar, Athletics

For Faculty Archive

Committee on Student Ready Institution Needs Your Input

This past spring, the Faculty Senate created an ad hoc committee focused on a review of Drake’s ability to be a student-ready institution and ways the campus community, and in particular faculty, can play a role in achieving this goal. If you are not familiar with the term, a student-ready institution provides holistic support to its students and restructures systems to support student needs.

Also, this past spring, the ad hoc committee met with campus stakeholders and assessed faculty practices and university systems related to this area to understand where we are. While this helped us develop a picture of Drake’s current practices, WE NEED YOUR HELP to better understand what faculty are already doing in this area, how faculty are using current related university systems, and what improvements can be made to achieve the goal of being a student-ready institution.

We invite you to participate in one of several faculty focus groups dedicated to assessing our university’s preparedness to be a truly student-ready institution. These sessions will gather your insight into how we currently are and, in the future, can do better to support our students and effectively prepare them for both academic success and future careers.

Please note that for efficiency, artificial intelligence will be used during the meetings to record and transcribe the discussions. The findings from faculty focus groups will be combined with data from corresponding student and staff focus groups to generate a comprehensive report outlining actionable changes and best practices for faculty and suggestions for institutional system modifications to make Drake a more student-ready institution.

Friday, September 18th, 9:00a to 11:00a, Johansen 301: https://calendly.com/maria-valdovinos-drake/ad-hoc-student-ready-institution-focus-group-faculty1

Friday, September 25th, 1:00p to 3:00p, Johansen 301: https://calendly.com/maria-valdovinos-drake/ad-hoc-student-ready-institution-focus-group-faculty2

Friday, October 2nd, 9:00a to 11:00a, Johansen 301: https://calendly.com/maria-valdovinos-drake/ad-hoc-student-ready-institution-focus-group-faculty3

Friday, October 9th, 1:00p to 3:00p, Johansen 301: https://calendly.com/maria-valdovinos-drake/ad-hoc-student-ready-institution-focus-group-faculty4

— Maria Valdovinos, Professor of Psychology

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Call for Travel Seminar Proposals for J-Term 2028

The call for travel seminar proposals for J-Term 2028 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 and intent to propose.

All seminars hoping to travel for J-Term 2028 must submit a proposal. There is only one proposal submission link, and all fields must be completed.

Want More Info? Travel Seminar resources are available on our Global Affairs internal site. The internal site replaces our previous PDF and has information on:

Dates & Deadlines:

  • Submission: Sunday, October 18, 2026 (11:59pm)
    • No late applications will be accepted; contact Chelsea with any questions or concerns ahead of the deadline
  • Department & Dean Approvals: Thursday, October 22, 2026
  • Decision Notification: end of October 2026

 Proposal Link & Instructions:

The proposal submission is now being collected through Via TRM (not Qualtrics).

  1. Set up your Via profile (https://drake.via-trm.com/authV2/welcome)
    • Click “Go to Portal” to use your Drake SSO credentials; accept Terms & Conditions
  2. Once signed in, use this link to locate the Travel Seminar Proposal (drake.via-trm.com/program_brochure/38102)
  3. You can read through the relevant details on the proposal landing page. When you’re ready, click “Apply” in the top right corner to open the proposal application.
  4. You may stop & save your progress at any time using the “Save” button. Once you are finished, click “Submit”.

Please contact Chelsea with any questions ahead of the deadline. The EAPIC committee looks forward to reviewing your proposals!

— Chelsea Funk, Global Affairs

For Faculty Archive

Harkin Institute Announces Faculty Fellow Program and Faculty Fellow-in-Residence Program

The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement announces its Faculty Fellow Program and Faculty Fellow-in-Residence Program, which recognize Drake University faculty whose scholarship, creative activity, and public intellectual contributions align with and advance The Harkin Institute’s mission in fields related to public health, wellness, nutrition, agriculture, environmental health, retirement security, long-term care, labor and employment policy or history, or disability policy.

During their fellowship, Faculty Fellows will have opportunities to contribute to Harkin Institute projects, including research and publications; to serve as principal or associate investigators on Harkin Institute grants; to appear as panelists or presenters at Harkin Institute events; to present public lectures or presentations; and/or to take on contracted work on behalf of The Harkin Institute. They will style themselves a “Fellow of the Harkin Institute” when speaking, writing, or applying for funding related to The Harkin Institute’s mission and strategic priorities during the term of their fellowship. Tenured Faculty Fellows at the rank of Full Professor will be considered Senior Fellows.

Benefits of the fellowship include:

  • Support from THI in securing and managing grants and grant compliance.
  • Opportunities to collaborate with policy directors on current Harkin Institute projects (at the request of Fellows).
  • Research and administrative assistance from student associates, including assistance with document and presentation formatting.
  • Personalized Harkin Institute Fellow business cards.

Faculty Fellows will be included on The Harkin Institute website along with a brief bio and description of their work. Harkin Institute Faculty Fellowships are unremunerated unless (1) specific outside funding is secured in support of a fellow’s work or (2) the fellowship fulfills, in part, a faculty member’s sabbatical reassignment.

Harkin Institute Faculty Fellowships fall into two categories:

  • Harkin Institute Faculty Fellowships are unremunerated affiliations available to Drake faculty members who demonstrate high-quality, ongoing peer-reviewed research or creative activity or public scholarship in an area related to The Harkin Institute’s Mission. Faculty Fellows are not under the direction of Harkin Institute staff unless they opt to take part in a Harkin Institute grant, contract, initiative, or project. 
  • Harkin Institute Faculty Fellowships in Residence recognize Drake Faculty reassigned to The Harkin Institute during their sabbatical and whose sabbatical project contributes directly to a Harkin Institute initiative or project. Their work falls at least partly under the direction of The Harkin Institute’s executive director and a director of policy.

The deadline for application for FY 2027 Fellowships is September 25. Application materials (see below) should be emailed to harkininstitute@drake.edu. Inquiries should be sent to Craig Owens, Executive Director, cc’ing Mindy Jones, Chief of Staff and Director of Operations.

Faculty Fellows are appointed to renewable fiscal-year terms either through special invitation or via application:  

  • By Invitation: The Executive Director of The Harkin Institute will contact faculty directly with an invitation to consider accepting a one-year renewable Faculty Fellowship and to provide an updated vita for review. Deans and department chairs may nominate members of their faculty via email to the Executive Director of The Harkin Institute.  
  • By Application: Each August, OnCampus will publish a call for applications.  

Faculty Fellowship (non-residential) require (as a single document) 

  • A brief statement (350-500 words) explaining the applicant’s qualifications, including how their work intersects with the mission of the institute.  
  • The name of one professional reference who can speak to the quality of the applicant’s scholarship or creative activity.  
  • A complete, up-to-date cv. 

Faculty Fellowship in Residence: 

  • Applicants will meet in-person with the Executive Director to discuss residential opportunities in the fall of their application for sabbatical.  
  • The formal application will consist of a copy of the applicant’s sabbatical application and supporting materials, including complete, up-to-date vita. It will require that the applicant affirm that they have consulted with their dean and their department chair or program director before accepting any offer of fellowship. 
  • Fellowships in Residence require approval of the sabbatical request.  
  • Residential Fellows will spend two-to-three (2-3) days weekly in residence at The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center except when their sabbatical project requires offsite travel.   
  • Residential Fellowships require the final approval of the applicant’s dean, to be sought by a member of The Harkin Institute leadership. 

— Mandy McClure, The Harkin Institute

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Learn About Water Quality at “It’s in the Water” Sept. 17, Wilson’s Orchard

The Humanities Center Colloquium invites you to “It’s in the Water” at 5:30 p.m. on Sept.17 at Wilson’s Orchard and Farms in Cumming (3201 15th Ave, Cumming, IA 5006)
 
Art Professors Emily Newman and Edward Kelley will share about the nitrate removal sculpture they created and installed. Environmental Science Professor Claire Hruby will help us understand more about water quality in Iowa.
 
We’ll learn about art and activism, and water and enjoy light refreshments together (Ciderhouse Restaurant will be open too).
We’ll meet at the pond and see the sculpture there while we learn, so bring lawn chairs / blankets. People of all ages / families are welcome.

— Inbal Mazar, Associate Professor of Spanish

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Known HP Computer Issue May Affect Some Users

As students, faculty, and staff return to campus, ITS is reminding the University community about a known issue related to a recent HP BIOS update that may affect some Drake-managed Windows computers.

Users may encounter a blank blue screen after restarting or be prompted for a BitLocker recovery key. Although the behavior can be alarming, no data has been lost and the device is not damaged.

If you experience either of these symptoms, please contact ITS for assistance by submitting a Computer/Peripheral/Software Issue ticket, calling 515-271-3001, or visiting the lower level of Carnegie Hall with your device. An ITS technician can help restore access to your computer.

Additional information from HP is available here: Learn more about the BIOS update issue.

To receive ITS news posts via email, opt in by completing this form.

To receive SMS outage notifications, opt in by texting DrakeITSALERTS to phone 226787. Make sure you’re signed up to receive text Bulldog Alerts; check your settings via myDrake.

— Becky Klein, ITS

For Faculty Archive

The Harkin Institute Announces Faculty Fellow Program and Faculty Fellow-in-Residence Program

The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement is seeking applicants for its Faculty Fellow Program and Faculty Fellow-in-Residence Program, which recognize Drake University faculty whose scholarship, creative activity, and public intellectual contributions align with and advance The Harkin Institute’s mission in fields related to public health, wellness, nutrition, agriculture, environmental health, retirement security, long-term care, labor and employment policy or history, or disability policy.

During their fellowship, Faculty Fellows will have opportunities to contribute to Harkin Institute projects, including research and publications; to serve as principal or associate investigators on Harkin Institute grants; to appear as panelists or presenters at Harkin Institute events; to present public lectures or presentations; and/or to take on contracted work on behalf of The Harkin Institute. They will style themselves a “Fellow of the Harkin Institute” when speaking, writing, or applying for funding related to The Harkin Institute’s mission and strategic priorities during the term of their fellowship. Tenured Faculty Fellows at the rank of Full Professor will be considered Senior Fellows.

Faculty Fellows will be included on The Harkin Institute website along with a brief bio and description of their work. Harkin Institute Faculty Fellowships are unremunerated unless (1) specific outside funding is secured in support of a fellow’s work or (2) the fellowship fulfills, in part, a faculty member’s sabbatical reassignment.

Harkin Institute Faculty Fellowships fall into two categories:

  • Harkin Institute Faculty Fellowships are unremunerated affiliations available to Drake faculty members who demonstrate high-quality, ongoing peer-reviewed research or creative activity or public scholarship in an area related to The Harkin Institute’s Mission. Faculty Fellows are not under the direction of Harkin Institute staff unless they opt to take part in a Harkin Institute grant, contract, initiative, or project.
  • Harkin Institute Faculty Fellowships in Residence recognize Drake Faculty reassigned to The Harkin Institute during their sabbatical and whose sabbatical project contributes directly to a Harkin Institute initiative or project. Their work falls at least partly under the direction of The Harkin Institute’s executive director and a director of policy.

The deadline for application for FY 2027 Fellowships is September 15. Application materials (see below) should be emailed to harkininstitute@drake.edu. Inquiries should be sent to Craig Owens, Executive Director, cc’ing Mindy Jones, Chief of Staff and Director of Operations.

Faculty Fellows are appointed to renewable fiscal-year terms either through special invitation or via application:

  • By Invitation: The Executive Director of The Harkin Institute will contact faculty directly with an invitation to consider accepting a one-year renewable Faculty Fellowship and to provide an updated vita for review. Deans and department chairs may nominate members of their faculty via email to the Executive Director of The Harkin Institute.
  • By Application:
    • Faculty Fellowship (non-residential) require (as a single document)
      • A brief statement (350-500 words) explaining the applicant’s qualifications, including how their work intersects with the mission of the institute.
      • The name of one professional reference who can speak to the quality of the applicant’s scholarship or creative activity.
      • A complete, up-to-date cv.
    • Faculty Fellowship in Residence application
      • Applicants will meet in-person with the Executive Director to discuss residential opportunities in the fall of their application for sabbatical.
      • The formal application will consist of a copy of the applicant’s sabbatical application and supporting materials, including complete, up-to-date vita. It will require that the applicant affirm that they have consulted with their dean and their department chair or program director before accepting any offer of fellowship.
      • Fellowships in Residence require approval of the sabbatical request.
      • Residential Fellows will spend two-to-three (2-3) days weekly in residence at The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center except when their sabbatical project requires offsite travel.
      • Residential Fellowships require the final approval of the applicant’s dean, to be sought by a member of The Harkin Institute leadership.

— Mandy McClure, Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement

For Faculty Archive

Upcoming Blackboard Open Office Hours

On Aug. 26, faculty are invited to drop in and meet with a learning design specialist—in person or via Teams—for hands-on assistance with Blackboard.

Get your Blackboard pages ready for the new semester! Faculty are invited to drop in and meet with a learning design specialist for hands-on assistance.

Wednesday, August 26

Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Drop-in Location: Howard Hall Faculty Lounge (Room 212)
Microsoft Teams Virtual Option: Available via Teams

If you have questions outside of Blackboard Office Hours:

  • Interact with this Fall 2026 Course Prep slideshow for a summary of updates to Blackboard, best practices for sharing course materials, a framework for setting AI expectations, increasing the accessibility of your courses, and more!
  • Review the help guides for faculty, organized by topic, in Drake’s Knowledge Base.
  • Go directly to the upgraded Blackboard LMS Help Center.
  • Click the question mark icon in the lower-right corner of most Blackboard pages to open Blackboard’s related help pages.

— Shannon Hilscher, Drake Online, Learning Design Services

For Faculty Archive

Committee on Student Ready Institution Needs Your Input

This past spring, the Faculty Senate created an ad hoc committee focused on a review of Drake’s ability to be a student-ready institution and ways the campus community, and in particular faculty, can play a role in achieving this goal. If you are not familiar with the term, a student-ready institution provides holistic support to its students and restructures systems to support student needs.

Also, this past spring, the ad hoc committee met with campus stakeholders and assessed faculty practices and university systems related to this area to understand where we are. While this helped us develop a picture of Drake’s current practices, WE NEED YOUR HELP to better understand what faculty are already doing in this area, how faculty are using current related university systems, and what improvements can be made to achieve the goal of being a student-ready institution.

We invite you to participate in one of several faculty focus groups dedicated to assessing our university’s preparedness to be a truly student-ready institution. These sessions will gather your insight into how we currently are and, in the future, can do better to support our students and effectively prepare them for both academic success and future careers.

Please note that for efficiency, artificial intelligence will be used during the meetings to record and transcribe the discussions. The findings from faculty focus groups will be combined with data from corresponding student and staff focus groups to generate a comprehensive report outlining actionable changes and best practices for faculty and suggestions for institutional system modifications to make Drake a more student-ready institution.

Friday, September 18th, 9:00a to 11:00a, Johansen 301: https://calendly.com/maria-valdovinos-drake/ad-hoc-student-ready-institution-focus-group-faculty1

Friday, September 25th, 1:00p to 3:00p, Johansen 301: https://calendly.com/maria-valdovinos-drake/ad-hoc-student-ready-institution-focus-group-faculty2

Friday, October 2nd, 9:00a to 11:00a, Johansen 301: https://calendly.com/maria-valdovinos-drake/ad-hoc-student-ready-institution-focus-group-faculty3

Friday, October 9th, 1:00p to 3:00p, Johansen 301: https://calendly.com/maria-valdovinos-drake/ad-hoc-student-ready-institution-focus-group-faculty4

— Maria Valdovinos, Professor of Psychology