Drake defines a first-generation student is a college student whose parents/legal guardians have not received a bachelor’s degree from a four-year university.

In an effort to make more connections between first gen students and first gen faculty/staff, we are creating a directory to share on our website that lists our first gen faculty and staff. This was a project we started Fall 2025 that was put on hold due to new website. We are ready to get to work on this again.

If you identify as first generation and would like to be listed on this directory, please email Marina at marina.verlengia@drake.edu by Monday, Oct. 19.

— Marina Verlengia, New Student Programs

Drake’s new Acceptable Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy is available for campus review and comment on the Policy Development and Review page of the University Policy Library internal site (Drake login required). This policy establishes standards for the acceptable use of AI technologies at Drake. It addresses the responsible use, acquisition, integration, and deployment of AI technologies. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that AI-enabled content, automation, and representations of the University are used in a manner that protects security, compliance, institutional integrity, and the rights and privacy of individuals. 

The campus comment period has been extended through Friday, October 9, 2026.

Comments may be submitted to dupolicies@drake.edu. 

— Keren Fiorenza, Chief Information Technology Officer

Drake University is committed to fostering a community where students, faculty, and staff can practice, observe, and engage with their religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions with respect and understanding.

The Religious Holidays Calendar highlights observances that members of the Drake community may recognize throughout the academic year. The calendar is intended to serve as a resource for awareness, planning, and fostering a more inclusive campus community. It is important to recognize that not everyone within a particular religious, spiritual, or cultural tradition observes the same holidays or practices them in the same way. Dates may also vary depending on tradition, community, calendar, or other factors. The calendar is therefore not intended to be an exhaustive list of all observances or practices.

The Faculty Senate-Religious Accommodations Policy (12/2020) allows for reasonable accommodations. Students should inform their instructor in writing of their need to observe a religious holiday or rite well in advance of their absence.

Students who anticipate missing class, an exam, or another academic activity due to a religious, spiritual, or cultural observance should communicate with their instructors as early as possible and follow Drake University’s established religious holiday notification process. The form is located on the Religious Holidays Calendar website. Faculty and staff are encouraged to work with students in accordance with university policies and to approach these conversations with flexibility and respect.

Thank you for helping us build a Drake community where individuals feel respected, supported, and able to honor the traditions and practices that are meaningful to them.

Please reach out to me at anisa.hansen@drake.edu with any questions or issues.

— Anisa Hansen, Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion

This message includes two new Affinity Groups that will be starting this year!

 Since the 2021–2022 academic year, the Office of Campus Equity and Inclusion has supported a variety of faculty and staff affinity groups designed to build community, foster belonging, and support professional well-being across campus.

If you would like to connect with any of our active affinity groups or be added to their mailing list, please reach out directly to the designated point of contact below.

Additionally, we are actively seeking a new faculty or staff champion to help lead the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group. While Terrance is currently serving as the interim point of contact to collect names and share updates, we would love to transition leadership to anyone interested in helping guide and shape this community. If you are interested in stepping into this leadership role or co-championing the group, please let Anisa know!

Affinity Group	Contact	Email Address
Parents of Young Children (NEW!)	Elizabeth Talbert	elizabeth.talbert@drake.edu
Disability (NEW!)	Sam Shelton	sam.shelton@drake.edu
LGBTQ+	Terrance Pendleton (Interim)	terrance.pendleton@drake.edu
Black / African American	Terrance Pendleton	terrance.pendleton@drake.edu
Jewish	Lilianna Bernstein	lilianna.bernstein@drake.edu
Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI)	Jeanette Tran   Ellen Yee	jeanette.tran@drake.edu   ellen.yee@drake.edu
Latino/a/x	Marina Verlengia	marina.verlengia@drake.edu
Muslim	Alimoor Reza	md.reza@drake.edu

We are also always looking to expand spaces of connection on campus. If you are interested in starting a new affinity group that aligns with and advances Drake’s mission for equity and inclusion, please feel free to reach out to Anisa directly.

— Anisa Hansen, Associate Provost for Equity and Inclusion

— Terrance Pendleton, Faculty Fellow for Equity and Inclusion