President's Message
You belong here. Whatever path brought you to the pages in this handbook, whatever question or possibility is stirring in you right now, this college was built for this moment in your life.
On behalf of our faculty and staff, I'm excited to welcome you to the Drake State family. In the 65 years since our founding, we have proven that education is not a privilege reserved for the few. It is a right, a resource, and a bridge, one that we are proud to extend to every student who walks through our doors.
We are living through a time of remarkable change. The workforce of tomorrow will look different from the one we know today. Automation, artificial intelligence, and global shifts in industry are reshaping what employers need and what opportunity looks like. These changes can feel uncertain, even daunting. But they also open doors. And community college, now more than ever, is where those doors are unlocked.
Our first motto was "Our Students Work", which is true today, just as it was in 1961.
At Drake State, our purpose is transformation through alignment. That means we align our programs with the real demands of today's economy and tomorrow's growth sectors. It means we align our support structures and wrap-around services with the lives our students lead.
Community colleges like Drake State have always been the engines of inclusive opportunity. We are where first-generation students gain credentials that change the economic trajectory of their families. We are where working adults return to build new skills without walking away from the responsibilities they carry. We are where veterans, parents, and dreamers find not just coursework, but community. The knowledge transfer that happens here is not one-directional. Students bring lived experience, resilience, and perspective that strengthen this institution. In turn, we offer pathways that are rigorous, relevant, and within reach.
As you explore what Drake State has to offer, I want you to hold a few questions close: Why not you? Why not this program, this certificate, this degree? Why not this year? The answer, I am confident, is that there is no good reason to wait. As you get started, be sure to connect with your Success Advisor and review your Personal Program Map, which is your guide to staying on track. Don't hesitate to reach out to your instructors, ask questions, and use the many resources we offer both on campus and online.
You belong at Drake State. Your journey is important to us, and we're here to support you every step of the way. I can't wait to see what we can build together!
Dr. Patricia Sims,
President
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