Back to Class: The Harkin Institute: It’s Not Just an Awesome Archival Collection

Join us for a conversation about the history of The Harkin Institute and its work on the Drake University campus, across the nation, and in the global community. Learn about the Institute’s ambitious goal of doubling the rate of employment for people with disabilities around the world; meet the Drake students the Institute funds for internships in Washington, D.C.; and hear about how the newly constructed Tom and Ruth Harkin Center was used as a COVID-19 vaccination site.

When: Thursday, April 1 at 6:30 pm CT
Platform: Zoom (Link will be emailed to registered participants prior to the event.)

About the Program: Back to Class features speakers from Drake's campus in a virtual setting. Bulldogs are invited to join from wherever they are to learn about unique topics, hear from voices on campus, and connect with the Drake community.

For event accommodations or questions, please contact Amelia Klatt at amelia.klatt@drake.edu or 515-271-3378.

About Joseph: Joseph Jones serves as the executive director for The Harkin Institute for Public Policy & Citizen Engagement. Before joining The Harkin Institute in 2016, Joseph was the senior vice president of government relations and public policy for the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Prior to moving back to Iowa, Joseph served as a legislative assistant to Sen. Tom Harkin in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, Joseph served as director of governmental affairs for the Iowa Finance Authority, was the senior communications specialist for Gov. Tom Vilsack’s administration, and was the chief of staff and education director for Creative Visions Human Development Institute, a non-profit organization targeting at-risk youth in Central Iowa.

Joseph is a graduate of the United States Military Academy Preparatory School and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in economics from Loyola University New Orleans. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree in public policy and a certificate in non-profit leadership and administration from Drake. In 2014, he was presented Drake’s Distinguished MPA Alumnus Award. He is a graduate of Air Command and Staff College and is also a fellow of the Truman National Security Project. Currently, Joseph is a doctoral candidate at Drake University, pursuing a PhD focused on civic literacy. In 2018, he was the executive in residence at the University of Iowa’s College of Public Health and also serves on the faculty of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Institute of Organizational Management.

Joseph is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and engaging in international citizen diplomacy and governance. Although Joseph has visited dozens of countries and all 50 states, he is most proud of seeing all of Iowa’s 99 counties. He follows national security issues closely and finds time to spend with his Newfie dog, Toula Marie.

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