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

The 3rd Friday professional development events are collaborations between the Center for Teaching & Learning, DUSCI, and the Center for Humanities.

On Friday, Feb. 20, at 11:30 a.m. join the CTL and DUSCI to hear from Dr. Andrea Van Wyke (Chemistry) about undergraduate research in SCB 101.

Then at 12:45 p.m. join the CTL and Humanities for a talk by Dr. Gesine Gerhard (History) about the “taste of power” in 1930s Germany. This will be in Collier-Scripps Hall, Room 301.

Following Dr. Gerhard’s talk, faculty and staff are invited to gather from 2–4 p.m. in Collier-Scripps Hall, Room 301. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

— Bret Sikkink, Faculty Development Specialist

Drake faculty and staff who exemplify the Core Value of All In This Together will be recognized at the Provost’s Social today (Feb. 17) in the Cline Atrium beginning at 4 p.m. 

How do we define “All In This Together” at Drake? We look for colleagues who embrace robust communication and transparency, thriving through collaboration and teamwork. 

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

— Anne Marie Greenwood, Office of the Provost