The Division of Global Affairs is calling for proposals for a two-year grant that will fund an interdisciplinary faculty-student research project that addresses a global issue of broad public importance. The deadline for proposals is April 8, 2026.

The purpose of this initiative is to enhance Drake’s direct involvement in addressing pressing global issues, in direct support of its mission of responsible global citizenship.  Over the last several years, the following projects have received funding for pressing issues grants:

• Increasing interest in and access to STEM careers for marginalized students in Kosovo
• Cross-cultural Community-based Strategies for Sustainable Urban Streams: Lessons from Des Moines and Jakarta
• Exploring complementary approaches to combat global non-communicable diseases in India
• Religions of Beijing book project with Minzu University of China in Beijing
• Assessing, collaborating, and empowering to improve water quality in rural Uganda
• Transnational Des Moines: Reframing Des Moines Immigrant and Refugee Narratives through Collaborative Research with Youth
• Drake University’s Presence in the Toledo District of Southern Belize: Maximizing Our Impact While Minimizing Our Footprint

One project will be funded for the period from July 1, 2026–June 30, 2028. The Olson Global Service Endowment will provide $20,000-$30,000 over the two-year period in support of the selected project, depending upon demonstrated need. Project leaders are encouraged, if necessary, to seek additional funding from on- and off-campus sources.

Send your proposals to Erin McSween, Global Affairs Administrative Assistant (erin.mcsween@drake.edu).  Submissions will be reviewed by an internal committee with representatives from Global Affairs, the faculty, and the Grants Office. Award notification will occur before the end of spring term.

Successful proposals will present a cohesive, interdisciplinary research initiative that addresses a pressing global issue through rigorous scholarship, meaningful student engagement, and public-facing impact and should contain the following elements/criteria:

1. Explication of Research Topic

• A clear identification of the pressing global issue to be addressed and an explanation of its public significance.
• An exposition of the research objectives and methods related to the project.
• An explanation of how the project takes advantage of the strengths Drake and the community bring to addressing the issue.

2. Identification of Interdisciplinary Research Team

• Commitments from an interdisciplinary faculty research team consisting of three or more faculty members (at least two of whom must be Drake affiliated). One or more Principal Investigators must be identified.
• Evidence that the team members possess the requisite qualifications to successfully carry out the project (please attach CVs).
• The project must involve two or more paid student research assistants with appropriate qualifications.
• The research may be joint or parallel (i.e., a single joint project or several individual projects that each address related aspects of a common theme).

3. Activities and Outcomes

• The project timeline will allow for completion of the primary research products within a two-year period.
• The project participants will engage in at least two team activities (e.g., summer campus workshop, international travel as a team, cooperative field work, etc.) during the grant period.
• Team members will collaborate with other campus entities (e.g., Global Affairs, Humanities Center, the Harkin Institute, Community Engaged Learning, etc.) to schedule co-curricular events (e.g., speakers, films, panel discussions, etc.) related to the theme during the two-year grant period.
• The project will plausibly lead to externalization in the form of publication, presentation(s) at a professional conference, submission as a report to relevant public or non-governmental bodies involved with policy-making, or other outputs of similar import.

4. Preferences

• Preference will be given to projects that draw upon existing Drake connections with partners at the local, national, or international level.
• Preference will be given to new initiatives not previously supported by a Pressing Issues grant.

Teams may consult with Annique Kiel, Chief Global Affairs Officer and Dean of Global Programs, as they prepare their proposals. The successful grant team will be expected to submit a formal progress report by June 30, 2027, and a final grant report by June 30, 2028.

Please direct inquiries regarding the pressing issues grant process to Annique Kiel (annique.kiel@drake.edu), and all grant submissions to Erin McSween (erin.mcsween@drake.edu).

Please join us for the March Provost’s Social on Monday, March 23, in the Olmsted Center, Parents Hall North, at 4 p.m. The social will be immediately following Trivia hosted by All Staff Council, which begins at 2:30 p.m. in the same location.

Refreshments will include an assortment of snacks and beverages. This is a family friendly event. Feel free to bring your children or partner.

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost

Drake faculty and staff are invited to help recognize exceptional student leadership across campus through the Drake Student Leadership Awards.

Ceremony: Tuesday, May 5, from 4–6 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium

Nominate a Student Leader: Know a student or student organization demonstrating outstanding leadership at Drake? Please consider submitting a nomination here by April 12.

Serve as an Award Reviewer: Faculty and staff are also invited to help review award nominations! Time commitment includes: 

1. 60 minutes reviewing submissions (April 13–15)
2. 1-hour committee meeting to select winners (April 16–17)

If you’re willing to serve as an award reviewer, please indicate so here by March 12. (https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_efAbZudsfoYv8fI)

Thank you for helping us celebrate student leadership on campus!

— Kristin Economos Novotny, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership

As we plan breakout sessions for the Learning Symposium this fall, we would like to hear your perspectives on the future of higher education. Please share your thoughts in this brief survey so we can design breakout sessions that reflect what matters most to our community. We appreciate your feedback!

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost

Join All Staff Council on Monday, March 23, from 2:30–4 p.m. in Parents Hall North, Olmsted Center, for trivia. All are welcome—form a group or come as an individual and join a team. The Provost’s Social will take place following the event, held at the same location. It is sure to be an afternoon of fun! Sign up at: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1IaKSUMYwhrbdps.

— Toni White, On behalf of All Staff Council

Students utilizing the Drake Tuition Waiver benefit for undergraduate degree programs in the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 semesters are REQUIRED to complete the 2026–2027 FAFSA before by June 30, 2026. See Drake’s Tuition Waiver Policy for more details.

Employees should complete the Tuition Waiver Application for each semester that the employee or eligible dependent wishes to utilize this benefit.

— Laney Guintard, Financial Aid Office

Join All Staff Council on Monday, March 23, from 2:30–4 p.m. in Parents Hall North, Olmsted Center, for trivia. All are welcome—form a group or come as an individual and join a team. The Provost’s Social will take place following the event, held at the same location. It is sure to be an afternoon of fun! Sign up at: https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1IaKSUMYwhrbdps

— Toni White, On Behalf of All Staff Council

Please join us for the Drake Provost’s Social on Monday, March 23, in Parents Hall North in the Olmsted Center at 4 p.m. The social will be immediately following Trivia hosted by All Staff Council, which begins at 2:30 p.m. in the same location.

Refreshments will include an assortment of snacks and beverages. This is a family friendly event. Feel free to bring your children or partner.

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost

What Faculty & Staff Need to Know About the New App Rollout

ITS is pleased to announce an upcoming upgrade to the Self Service application on all Drake-owned Mac computers. In March, the current Self Service app will transition to the new Self Service+ platform, providing an improved experience while maintaining familiar features.

What’s Changing?

The shift to Self Service+ won’t require you to install a new app manually or restart your computer. When the upgrade is officially released by our vendor partner, Jamf, the old Self Service app will automatically disappear and be replaced by Self Service+. The icon and overall look and feel of the app will remain similar, ensuring a seamless transition for all users.

What Should You Expect?

• Automatic Transition: The upgrade will be pushed out remotely. No action is needed by you to receive the new app.
• Consistent Appearance: The Self Service+ icon will look the same as the previous version, so you’ll recognize it easily.
• No Restart Needed: You won’t need to restart your Mac during this process.
• Dock Icon Changes: If you have the current Self Service app in your dock, it may disappear or show a “?” icon and stop working. Simply open your applications folder to launch the new Self Service+ app. You can also add it to your dock for easier access if you prefer.

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns about this transition, contact us through the ITS support portal at service.drake.edu/its or by calling the ITS Support Center at 515-271-3001. We’re here to ensure this upgrade is as smooth as possible for everyone on campus.

— Becky Klein, ITS

The Honorary Degree and Drake Medal Committee seeks nominations for honorary degrees and the Drake Medal to be awarded during the 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 academic years.

Any University employee may nominate a deserving candidate for an honorary degree or a Drake Medal. A brief description of each award and the nomination process can be found here: Call for Nominations Honorary Degree and Drake Medal.

The nomination process is confidential. Please do not inform the candidate of your nomination. Submit nominations and supporting documentation to Honorary Degree and Drake Medal Committee chair Ryan Stoldt at ryan.stoldt@drake.edu no later than March 9, 2026. Thank you for helping us identify candidates of the highest quality.

— Ryan Stoldt, Associate Professor of Advertising