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

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

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

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

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