Our news section is dedicated to sharing pertinent information about these key issue areas, stories about individuals affiliated with and affected by policies in these areas, as well as news about The Harkin Institute itself.
July 30 | Digging Into Disability Data: Making DisabilityStatistics.org Work For You
Event Information Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CT Location: Zoom (a link will be sent to registrants closer to the day of the event) Cost: Free, but registration is required via Eventbrite Accommodations: Live-captioning (CART) in English...
read moreAugust 4 | Our Water, Our Future: A Look at the Polk County Water Quality Report
Event Information Date: Monday, August 4, 2025 Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Location: Sheslow Auditorium at Drake University (2507 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA, 50311) Zoom Livestream* *Those who register to attend virtually will receive a Zoom link closer to the day...
read moreJuly 16 | Unveiling Ceremony and Panel Discussion
Event Information Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Time: 3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. - Unveiling Ceremony 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Panel Discussion *The building will be open for self-guided tours from 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800...
read moreRead our new briefs on school wellness standards and policies
Read our new briefs on school wellness standards and policies by our Graduate Research Assistant Aubrey Kohl School Wellness Practices to Combat Diet-Related Diseases Diet-related diseases such as obesity are a threat to the health and well-being of...
read moreJune 9 | Workplace Accessibility Roundtable
Event Information Date: Monday, June 9, 2025 Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m. CT Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310) Virtual Livestream Cost: Free, but registration is required. Accommodations: American Sign Language and...
read moreMay 22 | Long-Term Care Policy Options Webinar
Webinar Information Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025 Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m. CT Location: Zoom Webinar (link will be sent to attendees closer to the event) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Accommodations: Live-captioning in English will be provided for attendees....
read moreTom and Ruth Harkin Center Achieves Gold Rating for Accessibility from Rick Hansen Foundation
The Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, home of The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, has achieved Gold Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility CertificationTM, becoming the second building, following La...
read moreThe Harkin Institute and the Iowa Environmental Council team up for a new cancer research initiative
The Harkin Institute and the Iowa Environmental Council are announcing the launch of a new initiative that explores the relationship between environmental risk factors and cancer rates in Iowa. Iowa has the second-highest cancer rates in the nation, and it...
read moreApril 29 | ADA Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion of “Change Not Charity: The Americans with Disabilities Act”
Event Information Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. CT *Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Location: Tom and Ruth Harkin Center (2800 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Accommodations: American Sign Language and...
read moreApril 2 | Closing the Retirement Savings Gap Webinar
Webinar Information Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m. CT Location: Zoom Webinar (link will be sent to attendees closer to the event) Cost: Free, but registration is required. Accommodations: Live-captioning in English will be provided for...
read moreMedia and Communications Contact:
Kathryn Kuckelman
kathryn.kuckelman@drake.edu
515-271-1895
The Harkin Institute serves as resource not only for information on Sen. Tom Harkin’s career, but also for valuable insight and expertise on the policy issues to which he devoted his career, including wellness and nutrition, retirement security, labor and employment, and people with disabilities.
Address: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 271-3623
Email: harkininstitute@drake.edu
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.