Our Mission
Provide an exceptional learning environment that prepares students for meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. The Drake experience is distinguished by collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff and by the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.
Our Inspiration
Together we transform lives and strengthen communities.
Our Identity
- We Lead: Setting the standard with extraordinary achievers, scholars, and leaders—where dreamers are doers.
- We cultivate belonging: Embracing differences to strengthen our community.
- We empower human connections : Fostering authentic relationships that create transformational opportunities.
- We are proudly of our place: Celebrating our neighborhood, our city, and our many partnerships.
- We are distinctively global: Connecting the world to our university and our university to the world.
Provide an exceptional undergraduate learning and living experience
92.8% of undergraduate degree recipients are employed, enrolled in graduate/professional school, or in an activity related to their professional goals.
Provide exceptional undergraduate experiential learning opportunities
89.3% of graduating seniors reported having an internship or other practical experience.
Provide exceptional undergraduate experiential learning opportunities
63.3% of graduating seniors having a community engaged component as part of one or more of their courses.
Create and sustain an inclusive campus community
29.6% of Drake’s undergraduates are students of color.
Provide an exceptional and professional learning experience
98.5% of graduate students were employed or pursuing additional education within six months of graduation.
Infuse global and intercultural learning throughout the Drake experience
Of undergraduates study abroad, study a foreign language, or participate in a global academic program.
Achieve pervasive and continuous assessment of student learning outcomes
Revising Learning Outcomes
A review of student work in Environmental Science courses indicated students were gaining fluency with basic concepts but were not well prepared to employ monitoring techniques for soil and water systems. The department revised learning outcomes and courses to better prepare students to apply their skills and develop preferred qualifications.
Advance a Culture of Innovation
NEW—Disability and Rehabilitation Services Program
Inspire collaborative planning and data-driven decision making
Drake’s annual employee survey shows tremendous strengths such as a caring and compassionate sense of community, flexible and dedicated employees, innovative leaders, and a steady resolve to pursue our institutional mission.
Build and maintain vibrant, effective, and efficient facilities
Johansen Student Center
Elevate service excellence
Of Drake employees surveyed are satisfied with calls for assistance with Public Safety.
During the 2024 Fall semester, the Safe Ride program transported 10,832 students. In November, Safe Ride had just over 4,000 riders alone!
Provide a robust working, learning, and living technology infrastructure
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Complex and high-impact business processes.
ITS has digitized and automated 66 complex and high-impact business processes in Finance, Human Resources, Registrar, Athletics, Facilities, Law School, Campus Safety, Residence Life, Information Technology Services, and other administrative departments, significantly increasing user efficiency, productivity, and satisfaction across the campus.
Enhance environmental sustainability
163 courses focus on sustainability
Improve financial performance
In fiscal year 2025-2026, Drake received $38.1 million in outright gifts for operations and capital purposes.
With their planned gift established in 1995, Marlys and Garland Seibert will make a difference in the lives of many future Drake students, now Marlys says the joy of giving is helping her keep Garland’s spirit alive. Marlys has established the Garland and Marlys Seibert Endowed Education Scholarship to support students studying nursing.
Strengthen Drake as an anchor institution
In 2025, Drake University students, faculty, and staff provided 246,382 hours of volunteering, community service, and pro-bono client engagements.
Foster a culture of pride and engagement among faculty, staff, and alumni
Drake is back at the Iowa State Fair and this past year, we tripled our sales goal of Drake merchandise. Go Bulldogs!
Strengthen Drake as an anchor institution
Drake has an annual economic impact in central Iowa of over $424 million.
Transnational Education
Premier Club Sports
drake.edu Website Redesign
NEW drake.edu website launched June 15, 2026
Workday Implementation
Workday for Finance and HR was successfully implemented in October of 2026
Bulldog Promise and Bright College Pathway
Jay N. Darling Institute
Tuition Guarantee
University Core Values
