Hello, I am Dr. Erik D. Maki, and I have the honor of serving as the Dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. When we get the chance to meet, please call me Erik.

I originally came to Drake because of the commitment to student success and the opportunity to build meaningful personal relationships through mentorship. I strongly believe in and am committed to our mission, especially our emphasis on collaborative learning and integration of liberal arts, sciences, and professional preparation.

I believe Drake is a great place for students because of the diversity of individual and collective opportunities offered here that are not available at other institutions. Our students are so much more than their majors. They are athletes, musicians, and artists, just to name a few. They are leaders at the university and serve in our community. They pursue multiple majors, concentrations, and degrees. Ultimately, they are ready to make us proud and fulfill our mission of leading meaningful personal lives, professional accomplishments, and responsible global citizenship. I am consistently inspired by our students' diverse talents and pursuits.

As a college, we are invested in student success. For example, we use a "blended model" of advising and mentoring. This means that each student is formally assigned a combination of a professional Advising Specialist and a Faculty Mentor, so that they are supported in both their time studying at Drake and in their career endeavors beyond.

I have no doubt that you will find our community to be one that exhibits our values of collegiality, professionalism, collaboration, entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, and learner-centered en route to accomplishing our vision as a "diverse community of learners leading the way to a healthy world." Even though I have been a member of this community for several years, I continue to be amazed each day with the passion and dedication that the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and our many partners bring to this vision and to our values.

Whichever program you choose to pursue, you will find excellent and accessible faculty ready to guide you toward success. You will have the opportunity to learn from them in the classroom or through individual assistance, gain advice on career pathways, participate with them in their research projects, and provide professional and community service together. And the connections don't end with graduation. We are proud of our alumni and the network that has developed through their giving back to our programs. Our alumni have found that whatever path they choose to pursue, they are recognized for their commitment to advancing their practices, supporting their community, and advocating for their patients and profession.

Welcome to our community!