The Office of Community Engaged Learning at Drake University is proud to announce that three members of its community will be recognized at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN next month with 2025 Presidents’ Awards from Seed Coalition for their outstanding commitment to civic education and community service.
Chloe Lepak will receive the 2025 Presidents’ Student Leadership Award for her exemplary work as Drake’s Voter and Civic Engagement Coordinator. Chloe’s leadership during the 2024 general election season led to hundreds of students registering to vote and casting ballots through absentee, satellite, and in-person voting. Her dedication to non-partisan voter education continues this spring as she shares strategies with peers for remaining politically involved in between elections.
Dr. Dian Nostikasari, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Sustainability, will be awarded the 2025 Presidents’ Civic Engagement Leadership Award for her commitment to environmental justice and community collaboration. Through projects such as “Walk My Bricks” and digital storytelling initiatives with Des Moines youth, Dr. Nostikasari integrates community voices into student learning experiences, fostering meaningful connections between the university and the city.
Shannon Draayer, Executive Director of Community Nutrition at WesleyLife, will be honored with the 2025 Presidents’ Community Partner Award for her outstanding collaboration with several Drake courses. From engaging students in the Meals on Wheels Hydroponic Farm to connecting them with Des Moines seniors through “Generations Over Lunch,” Shannon has played a vital role in bridging campus and community through experiential learning. To sustain efforts begun in partnership with Drake classes, she recently established a work-study position.
“These awardees embody the spirit of civic engagement that defines Drake University’s commitment to preparing students for responsible global citizenship,” said Mallary Allen, Director of Community Engaged Learning at Drake. “Their leadership and dedication will have lasting impacts both on our campus and in the broader community.”