As the weather starts to warm up, it’s time to get outdoors and get moving. If you need a little nudge, join this year’s Walk this May team step challenge!  During the month of May, teams will record their weekly step counts. Team step totals and team rankings will be shared weekly to keep the competitive juices flowing.

To register, send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu by Monday, April 27, with your list of 4 to 8 team members, team name, and who will be your team captain.  Grab your shoes and let’s get going.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Join Drake’s Corporate Games team.  This annual company-based competition for organizations in central Iowa runs from May 30 through July 31.  With over 20 events to choose from, Des Moines Corporate Games (DMCG) is a great way to meet new people and have fun.

Events range from team-based to individual and competitive to recreational. Try everything from pickleball, golf, and sand volleyball to a fitness walk, 5K run, and bags.  You may participate in as many events as you want.

All in-person activities will be held in the evenings and on weekends and are free (except golf cart rental). ALL Drake faculty and staff, student employees, interns, and retirees are invited and encouraged to join Drake’s team.

To participate in this year’s Des Moines Corporate Games, please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu for registration instructions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Employee and Family Resources (EFR) has created a new and improved version of their mobile app to make it easier for Drake employees and their household members to access resources and save content most relevant to them.

New features include:

• The DASS-21 (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21).  This is an assessment designed to measure levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Keep tabs on your mental well-being and receive resource recommendations tailored to help you in the areas you need it most.
• Benefit Recommendations.  Answer a series of questions regarding mental health and life circumstances and be guided to the benefits that can help you most.

How to access the app:

Step 1: Create a profile on the EFR online portal. You can use your personal or work email address.

Step 2: Download the EFR app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and then sign in.

The use of EFR services—including the app—is completely confidential.

In addition to the app, check out EFR’s CONNECT page for access to their podcasts, blog, and on-demand webinars. More details about EFR benefits for Drake employees can be found on the Drake HR Employee Assistance Program webpage.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Bergetta Beardsley from the Food Bank of Iowa will be presenting a BUILD session at Drake to discuss hunger myths and how we can all play a role in helping our neighbors in need.  Learn the Food Bank of Iowa’s role and its relationship with supporting partners across 55 counties as well as locally in Polk County/Central Iowa.  This session will be held Tuesday, April 7, from 2–3 p.m. in the Olmsted Center, Conference Room 310/311.

To register for this class, and any other upcoming BUILD classes or tours, there is an online registration link to a Qualtrics survey.

BUILD is a great platform for learning new ideas as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others from across campus.

Please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu with any questions.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources encouraged everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee.  This is a great way to recognize others.

Thank-you to everyone who took time to thoughtfully submit one or more shout-outs.  You certainly shared your “Generosity of Spirit”!  The complete list of shout-outs, highlighting the best in us, can be found on the Human Resources Employee Recognition Page on myDrake, under “SHOUT-OUTS”.

We hope you continue to find ways to show your appreciation to staff, faculty, and student employees across campus.  Sharing positive energy is contagious.  When you look for the good in people, you strengthen relationships, improving both their lives and your own.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

As part of Employee Appreciation Month, Human Resources is encouraging everyone to submit a shout-out for a faculty, staff, or student employee.  This is a great way to recognize others.  Simply write a sentence or two of appreciation for an individual or team and submit it to linda.feiden@drake.edu between now and March 25. They will be compiled and posted in the March 31 edition of OnCampus.

Sharing positive energy is contagious.  When you look for the good in people, you strengthen relationships, improving both their lives and your own.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Employee Appreciation Day is observed on the first Friday of March.  This year it falls on Friday, March 6, and is part of Employee Appreciation Month.  Please take time to reflect and find ways to show gratitude to your team and colleagues for their hard work, dedication, and effort on this day, this month, and throughout the year.

During the month, also take a break and join in on one or more March activities listed below.  Details on these activities and other appreciation month resources can be found on the Employee Appreciation Month webpage.

Fun Team Trivia.  Join All Staff Council on Monday, March 23 from 2:30-4 p.m. in Parents Hall North (Upper level, Olmsted Center) for some friendly trivia competition. You are welcome to form your own team of 4-6 people or come as an individual and join a team. Everyone is welcome. Medals will be handed out and there will be a popcorn bar to curb those munchies. Then stick around for the March Drake Provost Social in the same location. It is sure to be an afternoon of fun! Register at  https://drake.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1IaKSUMYwhrbdps.

Photo Scavenger Hunt. Looking for a group activity you can do anytime in March? Recruit a colleague (or group), bring your cell phone, and have fun with this photo scavenger hunt.  Send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu to receive a list of locations around Drake’s campus. At each location, take a fun photo.  Once you complete the list, send an email with all your photos by March 31 to linda.feiden@drake.edu.  One entry will be randomly drawn from the submitted entries and a tasty prize awarded to the winning group!

Give a shout-out.  Shout outs are a wonderful way to recognize your fellow Drake faculty and staff. Simply write a sentence or two thanking a colleague or team for going the extra mile or showing support to others. Submit your shout-outs to linda.feiden@drake.edu between now and March 25, and they will be compiled and posted in OnCampus.

In addition, there will be three BUILD classes offered in March, including one on the employee assistance program services offered through Employee & Family Resources.  This is a great opportunity to learn something new and spend time with others across campus. Click HERE for a list of classes and registration link.

Please take some time this month to let others know you appreciate their efforts and know that YOUR efforts are appreciated.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

All Drake faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to nominate a colleague for the 2026 Madelyn M. Levitt Distinguished Community Service and Employee Excellence Awards.

The Employee Excellence Award is presented to a staff member who demonstrates exceptional commitment to excellence in the performance of their duties. The Distinguished Community Service Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of Drake faculty and staff to the Drake community. The criteria to be eligible for each of these awards can be found here.

To nominate a colleague, submit a letter of nomination to Human Resources. Nomination letters may be sent through campus mail or electronically to drakehr@drake.edu.  The subject line should read “Madelyn M. Levitt Award Nomination”.  The letter should detail specific examples of how the nominee exemplifies each of the applicable criteria. Additional letters of support are not necessary, but welcome. Nominations are due to Human Resources by Monday, March 2.

For additional information, please contact Linda Feiden at linda.feiden@drake.edu.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Bulldogs United in Learning & Development (BUILD) provides faculty and staff learning opportunities throughout the academic year to enhance professional skills, improve wellbeing, and create conversation.  BUILD is a great platform for learning new ideas as well as an opportunity to collaborate with others from across campus.

The Spring 2026 schedule is available online and registration is open.  Please take a moment to check out the classes on the Drake HR BUILD Offerings webpage, including detailed descriptions.  There is an online registration link to a Qualtrics survey that makes signing up easy.

Most classes are only an hour in length, and many are facilitated by our own faculty and staff.  This is a great way to invest in yourself, support your colleagues, and take in the culture that Drake has to offer.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Managers, please encourage your new employees to attend the first available NEO after their employment. Either the manager or new employee can RSVP by emailing linda.feiden@drake.edu. Please put “NEO” in the subject line of the email.

The next available NEO session will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Scripps Meeting Room 301 (3^rd floor) in the Johansen Student Center.

— Linda Feiden, Human Resources